Developing an expert database and a reference database with the Global Timber Tracking Network

Abstract

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</p><p>Unsustainable and illegal logging as well as related trade cause many economic and ecological problems both in producer and in consumer countries. It is one of the major causes for the loss of biodiversity. Although instruments against such unsustainable and illegal practices have been established, there is a lack of understanding how this instruments function in practice and practical control mechanisms to identify the origin of timber and wood products. Such methods are one of the fundamental prerequisites for improving forest and wood product sustainability through efficient import controls or corresponding origin testing by industry and the trade.</p>