University of Hamburg

Institute of Wood Biology

The Institute of Wood Biology of the  University of Hamburg has a distinguished reputation in bamboo research - thanks largely to the extensive work of Professor Emeritus Dr. Walter Liese, who is a key partner in the BTN project.

Prof. Liese is an outstanding scientist whose research on bamboo dates back to 1958.    He is a renowned expert on bamboo anatomy and preservation of bamboo.   The depth and volume  of his work on bamboo, which comprises hundreds of articles, books, technical reports and feasibility studies, is unparalleled by any single researcher.   He has supervised over 60 Ph.D. theses, most of which dealt with bamboo.   Many of his students are now leading bamboo scientists, notably Dr. Latif Mohmod (FRIM) and Prof. Yulong Ding (INBAR).

Prof. Liese has been engaged in the two EC funded research projects on bamboo.  In the INCO project Sustainable management and quality improvement of bamboo and products, his role is that of general adviser to the research program.   In the FAIR project Bamboo for Europe he advised on quality degradation of harvested bamboos.

He is also a past president of IUFRO and has acted as advisor for FAO and INBAR.   Prof. Liese is the recipient of five  Doctor Honoris Causa degrees and was honored  with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the European Bamboo Society in 1995.

His recent publications include:

Liese, W. (1998) Bamboos, past, present and future.  Keynote Lecture presented at Vth International Bamboo Congress.   Proceedings are in the press.

_________. (1998) Anatomy of Bamboo Culms.   INBAR Technical Report N°18, INBAR, Bejing, pp.207

_________. Properties and Utilization  of  Bamboo. Manual on Planting and Utilization of Bamboo in Peninsular Malaysia. FRIM Research Pamphlet 118.

Weiner, G., Liese, W.  (1996)  Wound reactions in bamboo culms and rhizomes.  Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 379-397.

Liese, W., Weiner, G. (1996) Ageing of bamboo culms.   Wood Science and Technology 30, 77-89.