Christopher Gaston | Faculty Profile

Research Areas:

Applied Economics, International Trade Modeling, Market Research, New Wood Product/Market Development, Small-medium Forest Enterprises (including Indigenous)

Research
Publications

My main areas of research are markets and economics, particularly in their application to new product/market development for Canadian wood products, both in North America and internationally. This includes primary and secondary wood products, and end-uses spanning residential and non residential construction, repair and renovation, and industrial applications. Product and market focus also includes engagement with Aboriginal communities, small-medium enterprises, emerging engineered wood products / systems, and further value-adding products.

Projects

Vibrant Forest Landscapes: 2020 – 2023 (SSHRC)
Exploring the Power of Indigenous Art as a Catalyst for Linking Economic Growth to Sustainable Landscapes (SSHRC New Frontiers)
Modelling the Economic Impact of Resilient Planting Stocks and Wood Quality (ResFor / Genome Alberta)
Opening Doors—Indigenous Capacity Building on the BC Coast (FPI, UBC, ECUAD)
Achieving Aspirations of Canadian Indigenous Communities Through Participatory Cultural Mapping and Dynamic Decision Modelling (MITACS)
Matching Market Signals to the Canadian Wood Products Value Chain (NSERC-FIBRE)
Global Hardwood Trends and Impacts: a Focus on India (FII)
Architectural Element Trends in North American Non-residential Construction (FPI)

News Media

50 BC Innovation to Watch

Aboriginal Artists Carve Out New Market with High-tech Tool

First Nations Artists Use Technology to Carve Out New Business Model

Innovative Program Opens New Doors to B.C.’s Indigenous Artists

Selected Publications

Riggs, R.A., Langston, J.D., Nerfa, L., Boedhihartono, A.K., Gaston, C., Herdianti, A.R., Valeri, E., and Sayer, J. (2021). Common ground: integrated landscape approaches and small and medium forest enterprises for vibrant forest landscapes Sustainability Science DOI:10.1007/s11625-021-01035-5

Wang, S., An, H, Chang, W-Y., Gaston, C., Thomas, B. (2021). Economic potential of adopting genomic technology in Alberta’s tree improvement sector The Forestry Chronicle Volume 97, Number 3

W-Y Chang, C Gaston, J Cool, and B Thomas (2019). A financial analysis of using improved planting stocks of white spruce and lodgepole pine in Alberta, Canada: Genomic selection versus traditional breeding Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research 92(3): 297-310

Vabi, V., R. Panwar, S. Hagerman, C. Gaston and R.A. Kozak (2019). Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in the Global Food Sector: A Systematic Literature Review to Examine Small Farmers Engagement in Contract Farming Business Strategy and Development 2(2019):276-289

Joleen Timko, Philippe Le Billon, Hisham Zerriffi, Jordi Honey-Roses, Ian de la Roche, Chris Gaston, Terence Sunderland, and Robert Kozak, (2018). A policy nexus approach to forests and the SDGs: tradeoffs and synergies Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability Volume 34, Pages 7-12.

Chang, W.-Y., Wang, S., Gaston, C., Cool, J., An, H. and Thomas, B. (2018). Economic evaluations of tree improvement for planted forests: A systematic review BioProducts Business 4(1): 1-14.

Shahi, S., R. Pulkki, M. Leitch and C. Gaston (2017). Integrating operational planning decisions throughout the forest products industry supply chain under supply and demand uncertainty International Journal of Forest Engineering DOI:10.1080/14942119.2017.1371544

Shashi Shahi, Reino Pulkki, Mathew Leitch and Christopher Gaston (2017). Optimal production-inventory model for forest products industry supply chain under demand and supply uncertainty: Case study of a pulp mill in Ontario Cogent Business & Management 4: 1370765

Shahi, S., R. Pulkki, C. Gaston and M. Leitch (2016). Integrating production planning and inventory management with stochastic supply and stochastic market demand with supply chain decisions in a multi-level forest products industry Canadian Journal of Forest Research Under Review

Gaston, C. and F. Robichaud (2016). Overview of Wood Product Markets, Distribution and Market Research in North America: Implications for Value Chain Optimization CRC Press Forest Value Chain Optimization and Sustainability (- 344 Pages - ISBN 9781498704861)

Piltan, M., Sowlati, T. Cohen, D., Gaston, C., Kozak, R. (2016). Analysis of the drivers and factors influencing partnership performance in the British Columbia’s forest products supply chain J-FOR: The Journal of Science and Technology for Forest Products and Processes. 5(5): 65-76.

Chang, Wei-Yew and Chris Gaston (2015). A trade-flow analysis of the global softwood log market: implications of Russian timber export tax reduction and New Zealand’s timber production restriction. Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research 89 (20–35) doi:10.1093/forestry/cpv038

Gaston, Chris (2014). Matching Market Signals to the Canadian Wood Products Value Chain Branchlines. Faculty of Forestry, University of B.C. 25(2):16-17

Chang, Wei-Yew and Chris Gaston (2014). The Competitiveness of Canadian Softwood Lumber: A Disaggregated Trade Flow Analysis Canadian Journal of Forest Research 44(12): 1494-1506

Gaston, Christopher (2014). Visual Wood Product Trends in North American Non-Residential Buildings Forest Products Journal 64(3/4):107-115

Aurenhammer, P., O. Bartlomé, A. Eder, C. Gaston and P. Moonen (2013). Innovative wood-based products; Chapter 3 in Forest Products Annual Market Review: 2012-2013 Edition UNECE / FAO pp 23-32

Reeb, D., C.W. Gaston, I. Navoselov, H. Resch and R. Vlosky (2012). Policy Developments; Chapter 3 in Forest Products Annual Market Review: 2011-2012 Edition UNECE / FAO 25-36

Ganguly, Indroneil, Ivan Eastin and Chris Gaston (2012). Global Hardwood Trends and Impacts: a Focus on India. Forestry Innovation Investment 100 pp

Gaston, C.W. and D. Fell (2012). Architectural Element Trends in North American Non-residential Construct FPInnovations 41 pp

Aguilar, F., C.W. Gaston, R. Hartkamp, W. Mabee and K. Skog (2011). Wood Energy Markets; Chapter 9 in Forest Products Annual Market Review: 2010-2011 Edition UNECE / FAO 85-97

Gaston, C.W., D. Cohen and I. Eastin (2010). Wood Market Trends in Japan--2010 Edition FPInnovations 38 pp

Gaston. C., F. Robichaud, D. Fell, and P. Crespell (2010). North America Bio-Materials: a Synthesis Report (Bio-Pathways II) Forest Products Association of Canada 28 pp

Robichaud, F., P. Lavoie, C. Gaston and C. Adair (2010). Builder Perceptions of Wood and Non-Wood Products in the U.S. Top-20 Metro Housing Areas Journal of Forest Products Business Research Vol. 07

Gaston, C.W. and I. Eastin (2010). A Tale of Two Markets: Opportunities for Cedars in Japan and the U.S. USDA Forest Service. Keynote for “A Tale of Two Cedars: International Symposium on Western Redcedar and Yellow-Cedar”, Victoria, B.C.

Ganguly, Indroneil, Ivan Eastin, Pablo Crespell, and Chris Gaston (2010). Exploring the Market Potential of Pacific Silver Fir in the US Residential Decking Market CINTRAFOR Working Paper WP 118 46pp.

Ganguly, Indroneil, Ivan Eastin, Pablo Crespell, and Chris Gaston (2010). Positioning and Market Analysis of the US Decking Materials Market: A Perceptual Mapping Approach CINTRAFOR Working Paper WP 117 74pp.

Mathey, A., Nelson, H., and C. Gaston (2009). The Economics of Timber Supply: does it pay to reduce harvest levels? Forest Policy and Economics 11(7):491-497

Robichaud, Francois, Patrick Lavoie and Christopher Gaston (2009). Demands on Lumber Suppliers Within the U.S. Pro-dealers Channel Forest Products Journal 59(11/12):83–92

Lavoie, P., F. Robichaud and C. Gaston (2009). Market Trends in Top 20 U.S. Metropolitan Areas—Homeowners’ Material Preferences in Decking, Floor and Wall Applications FPInnovations 182 pp

Robichaud, F., P. Lavoie, and C. Gaston (2009). Market Trends in Top 20 U.S. Metropolitan Areas—Homebuilders’ Profile FPInnovations 153 pp

Lavoie, P., F. Robichaud and C. Gaston (2009). Home Owner Perceptions of Wood and Non-wood Products Wood Products Council 60 pp

Robichaud, F., P. Lavoie and C. Gaston (2009). U.S. Home Builder Perceptions of Wood and Non-Wood Products Wood Products Council 68 pp

Robichaud, F., P. Lavoie and C.W. Gaston (2008). Wood Product Attributes Demanded by North American Prodealers FPInnovations 49 pp

Lavoie, P, F. Robichaud and C. Gaston (2008). Attributes Demanded in the North American Structural Components Industry FPInnovations 50 pp

Crespell, P., M. Vidal, C.W. Gaston, and R. Knudson (2008). Market and Technical Review of the Fibre Polymer Composite Industry FPInnovations 89 pp

Cohen, D., I. Eastin, C.W. Gaston, and R. Braden (2008). Wood Market Trends in China—2007 Edition FPInnovations 40 pp

Gaston, C.W., D. Cohen and I. Eastin (2007). Wood Market Trends in Japan—2006 Edition Forintek Canada Corp. 34 pp

Gaston, C.W. and D. Fell (2006). Treated Wood Product Opportunities in the Southern United States Forintek Canada Corp, Value to Wood 26 pp

Gaston, C.W. and M. Marinescu (2006). The Competitiveness of Canadian Softwood Lumber--A Trade Flow Analysis Forintek Canada Corp 87 pp

Gibson, R. and C.W. Gaston (2006). Alberta Fibre Roadmap—Forestry Situation Analysis. Background report for "Getting Value from Every Fibre: Making the Most of Alberta’s Lignocellulose Resource" FPInnovations and Alberta Research Council 37 pp.

Kallioranta, S.M., R.P. Vlosky and C.W. Gaston (2006). Perception Drivers for Treated Wood by U.S. South Homebuilders and Remodelers Louisiana Forest Products Development Center 16 pp

Gaston, C.W. (2006). Global Wood Product Trade Flows: 2005/06 Edition Forintek Canada Corp. 113 pp

Robichaud, F., P. Lavoie, and C.W. Gaston (2005). Wood opportunities for manufactured housing and structural components Forintek Canada Corp. 27 pp

Fell, D., C.W. Gaston and D. Brooks (2005). US Gap Analysis II Forintek Canada Corp. 88 pp

Gaston, C.W., R.P. Vlosky, T.F. Shupe, F.X. Aguilar, S.M. Kallioranta, and B.N. Donkor (2005). Attitudes and Awareness about Treated Wood Products: The U.S. South Homeowner Perspective Louisiana Forest Products Development Center 13 pp

Vlosky, R. and C. Gaston (2004). Potential for increased treated wood products usage in U.S. south residential construction Forintek Canada Corp. 63 pp

Wahl, A. and C.W. Gaston (2004). Preliminary Competitor Analysis for Wood Products in China B.C. Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. 112 pp

O’Connor, Jennifer, Robert Kozak, Christopher Gaston, and David Fell (2004). Wood-use in Non-residential Buildings—Opportunities and Barriers Forest Products Journal 54 (3): 19-28

Kozak, R.A. and C. Gaston (2004). Life Cycle Analysis: A Wood Products Perspective. USDA Forest Service. 49-59. Published in Peterson, D.L., J.L. Innes, and K. O'Brian (editors). Climate Change, Carbon, and Forestry in Northwestern North America. Proceedings of a Workshop, November 14-15, 2001, Orcas Island, Washington. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PNW-GTR-614. Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, Oregon (USA). Proceedings 49-59.

Troughton, G. and C.W. Gaston (2004). Development of Bark Board Products Forintek Canada Corp. 12 pp

Tabarsi, E., R.A. Kozak, D.H. Cohen and C. Gaston (2003). A Market Assessment of the Potential for OSB Products in the North American Office Furniture and Door Manufacturing Industries. Forest Products Journal 53(7/8):19-27.

Cohen, David H. and Christopher Gaston (2003). The Use of Engineered Wood Products in Traditional Japanese Wood House Construction Wood and Fiber Science 35(1):102-109

Tabarsi, E. and C. Gaston (2003). A Market Analysis of the United States Institutional Furniture Industry Forintek Canada Corp. 43 pp

O'Connor, J., R. Kozak, C. Gaston, and D. Fell (2003). Wood opportunities in non-residential buildings : a roadmap for the wood products industry Forintek Canada Corp. 32 pp

Gaston, C.W. and F. Maplesden (2003). A Benchmarking Study for Structural Wood Products Demand in the People’s Republic of China BC Forest Innovation Investment Ltd. 120 pp

Gaston, C. (2002). An assessment of market opportunities for western Canadian aspen in the United States, Japan and Europe Forintek Canada Corp. 68 pp

Gaston, C.W., D. McKeever and E. Tabarsi (2002). Wood-Use in Industrial Markets in the United States Forintek Canada Corp. and Wood Products Council 98 pp

Cartwright, D. and C.W. Gaston (2002). Chile’s Forests Products Market—a Plantation Success Story: Chapter 5 in the Forest Products Annual Market Review: 2001-2002 Edition UNECE / FAO 12 pp

Kozak, R. and C.W. Gaston (2002). Trends in Sawn Softwood Markets: Chapter 7 in Forest Products Annual Market Review: 2001-2002 Edition UNECE / FAO 12 pp

Wagner, E., D. Fell, E. Hansen and C.W. Gaston (2002). Forestry Resources on the Internet: Expanded Edition Forintek Canada Corp. 51 pp

Gaston, C.W., and R. Kozak (2001). Sawn Softwood – Consumption, Production and Trade: Chapter 6 in Forest Products Annual Market Review: 2000-2001 Edition UNECE / FAO 10 pp

Cohen, D., C.W. Gaston and R. Kozak (2001). Japan’s Demand Drivers for Wood Products: Chapter 4 in Forest Products Annual Market Review: 2000-2001 Edition UNECE / FAO 10 pp

Gaston, C.W., R. Kozak, J. O’Connor and D. Fell (2001). Potential for Increased Wood-Use In North American Nonresidential Markets Forintek Canada Corp. 128 pp

Fell, D., Gaston, C.W. (2001). Material Selection for Outdoor Projects in Western Canada Forintek Canada Corp. 42 pp

Fell, D., C.W. Gaston, E. Hansen and A. Hovgaard (2001). Attributes Demanded in Single-family Floor Systems Forintek Canada Corp. 41 pp

de la Roche, Ian and C.W. Gaston (2001). The Future of Wood Products: What is the Prognosis? The Forestry Chronicle Vol. 77, No. 6, 985-988

Gaston, C.W. and D. Fell (2000). Markets for Canadian Wood Products in the U.S. - a Gap Analysis Forintek Canada Corp. 33 pp

Fell, D., C. Gaston and D. Cohen (2000). Japan's value added market : wood products attributes and competition. Linkage analysis Forintek Canada Corp. 109 pp

Gaston, C.W., G. Delcourt and D.Cohen (1999). Japan's value added market : wood product attributes and competition. Competitor analysis two Forintek Canada Corp. 85 pp

Karacabeyli, E., J. Cook and C.W. Gaston (1999). Developments in the production of wood frame houses in North America Forintek Canada Corp. 16 pp

Wahl, A., D. Cohen, R.Kozak and C. Gaston (1999). The Japanese market for wood flooring and wood windows Forintek Canada Corp. 70 pp

Gaston, C., G. Delcourt and D. Cohen (1998). Japan's value added market : wood product attributes and competition. Competitor analysis one Forintek Canada Corp. 76 pp

Cohen, D. and C.W. Gaston (1998). Japan's Value Added Market: Wood Product Attributes and Competition. Attribute Analysis: 1) Introduction; 2) Wood Furniture; 3) Outdoor Furnishings; 4) Interior Finish; 5) Engineered Structural Products; 6) Wood Structural Members; 7) Building System Forintek Canada Corp. 249 pp

Cartwright, D., P.I. Morris and C.W. Gaston (1998). Pacific Rim markets for termite-resistant wood products. Phase I. Identification of target markets Forintek Canada Corp. 45 pp

Cartwright, D., P.I. Morris and C.W. Gaston (1998). Markets for termite-resistant wood products. Phase II. Market review of India, China and Taiwan Forintek Canada Corp. 62 pp

Gaston, C.W. and B. Wilson (1998). Canada's fibre supply: a look toward the 21st century Forintek Canada Corp. 20 pp

Gaston, C.W., I. Vertinsky and S. Globerman (1995). Biotechnology in Forestry: Technological and Economic Perspectives Technological Forecasting and Social Change 50(1): 79-92

Gaston, C.W. (1990). Agricultural Marketing: A Risk Management Approach University of Guelph, Independent Study 295 pp

Tait, R.M., J.R. Hunt, C.W. Gaston, and G.M. Barton (1982). Utilization of Lodgepole Pine (Pinus Contorta) MUKA (Foliage) by Sheep Canadian Journal of Animal Science 62 (2): 467-471