Wood durability in terrestrial and aquatic environments - A review of biotic and abiotic influence factors

Factors relevant to degradation are important in every wood application. For wood used in ground and water contact; well documented abiotic factors (or agents) include exposure to temperature and moisture linked to the physiological requirements of biotic degradation agents such as wood-decaying fungi and bacteria. Other biotic degradation agents such as subterranean insects and marine borers occur overshadowing the effect of fungal and bacterial decay, but are restricted in geographical distribution and to aquatic applications, respectively. This review focusses on decay specific to soil exposure. The inherent material characteristics are important to durability in that heartwood and sapwood show differences in resistance to degradation between species, provenance, and individual trees. Wood durability testing methods and classification, as well as a summary of prominent models and variables suitable for regional-level modelling of in-ground wood durability are presented.

Automated summary

Factors such as temperature, moisture, wood-decaying fungi, bacteria, subterranean insects, and marine borers are important in the degradation of wood used in ground and water contact. The durability of wood is influenced by its inherent characteristics, including heartwood and sapwood differences. Wood durability testing methods, classification, and models for regional-level modeling are discussed.