Research Thematic Areas

The department is divided into two complementary parts,  Forest Engineering and Wood Sciences, each of which focuses on important issues related to wood utilization, forest resource management, and sustainable forestry. To find out more, click on any of the research areas listed below.

Forest Engineering

Advancing sustainable forest management through engineering innovation. Our research integrates modern technologies with field-tested practices to optimize forest operations, protect ecosystems, and support Tanzania’s forestry sector.

Forest Road Construction

Design, construction, and maintenance of forest access roads and transportation networks. Research focuses on cost-effective road alignment, drainage structures, environmentally sensitive construction techniques, and minimizing ecological disturbance in Tanzania’s diverse forest landscapes.

Harvesting Systems

Evaluation and optimization of timber harvesting methods: from manual and animal-assisted systems to mechanized operations. We study productivity, cost efficiency, and environmental impacts across plantation and natural forest settings in East Africa.

Ergonomics

Studying human factors in forestry work, from physical workload, to occupational safety, tool design, and worker well-being. This research aims to improve working conditions for forestry labourers, particularly in manual harvesting and transport operations.

Reduced Impact Logging

Developing and testing guidelines for both natural forests and plantations to ensure that harvesting does not lead to long-term site degradation.

Forest Biometrics

Applying quantitative and statistical methods to measure, model, and predict forest growth and yield. Research includes inventory design, allometric equations, growth modelling, and biomass estimation for both natural and planted forests.

GIS & Remote Sensing in Forestry

Using geospatial technologies, including satellite imagery, drone surveys, LiDAR, and geographic information systems, for forest mapping, land-cover change detection, fire monitoring, and spatial decision support across Tanzania’s forest estates.

Wood Sciences

Maximizing wood’s potential as a sustainable resource. Our research supports value addition and the sustainable use of Tanzania’s forest resources by examining everything from the fundamental characteristics of wood to cutting-edge processing techniques. Our research covers the fundamental properties of wood through to advanced processing technologies, supporting value addition and sustainable utilization of Tanzania’s forest resources.

Wood Anatomy

Microscopic and macroscopic examination of wood structure: cell types, fibre dimensions, vessel arrangement, and growth-ring patterns. This foundational research underpins species identification, quality assessment, and understanding of wood behaviour.

Wood Chemistry

Analyzing the three-dimensional biopolymer composite of wood (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin) along with extractives and inorganic minerals in various indigenous and exotic tree species.

Non-Wood Forest Products

Investigating the science and sustainable utilization of non-timber resources including gums, resins, essential oils, medicinal bark, honey, and mushrooms to support biodiversity conservation and rural livelihood diversification.

Physical and Mechanical Propoerties of Wood

Characterizing density, moisture content, shrinkage, strength, stiffness, and hardness of indigenous and plantation-grown timber species. This research informs structural grading standards and optimal end-use allocation for Tanzanian timbers.

Timber Technology

Integrated research on primary wood processing: sawmilling efficiency and recovery, kiln and air drying schedules, and preservative treatment methods. The goal is to improve quality, reduce waste, and extend the service life of sawn timber products.

Bioenergy from Wood

Research on wood-based energy: charcoal production efficiency, briquetting of sawdust and wood waste, biomass gasification, and pyrolysis. Our work addresses Tanzania’s energy needs while promoting cleaner and more efficient biomass conversion technologies.