Combined genetic and chemical methods boost the precision of tracing illegal timber in Central Africa.

ABSTRACT: Enforcement of national and international laws banning illegal tropical timber trade hinges on independent origin verification, such as with genetic or chemical wood properties. This is of particular concern in Central Africa, where illegal trade prevails. However, tracing methods have not yet consistently achieved high accuracy (>90%) at small spatial scales (<100 km). Where high precision is required but individual methods fall short, combining methods may improve results, because drivers of wood properties differ. Here, we assessed the individual and combined identification potential of three methods (genetics with 238 plastid Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, 3 stable isotopes, and 41 elemental concentrations). The combined approach achieved unprecedented accuracy in Central Africa, ide

SUBMITTER: Boeschoten LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12527923 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature