Tropical timber forensics : a multi-methods approach to tracing Bolivian Cedrela

Summary

Illegal logging is one of the main drivers of species degradation and contributors to global warming. This practice negatively impacts to forest stakeholders at international and local level. Effective control strategies are required to counteract illegal harvesting and trade of tropical timber. Stable isotopes, chemical properties, and DNA are non-manipulative tree characteristics and have the potential to be used for tracing geographical origin. The overall objective of my PhD thesis was to support the implementation of sustainable forest management in Bolivia through developing complementary methods to detect illegal logging.