Timber isoscapes. A case study in a mountain area in the Italian Alps.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Local timber is still one of the main sources of work and income for mountain communities. However, illegal logging is a major cause of deforestation in many countries and has significant impacts on local communities and biodiversity. Techniques for tracing timber would provide a useful tool to protect local timber industries and contribute to the fight against illegal logging. Although considerable progress has been made in food traceability, timber provenance is still a somewhat neglected research area. Stable isotope ratios in plants are known to reflect geographical variations. This study reports accurate spatial distribution of δ18O and δ2H in timber from north-eastern Italy (Trentino) in order to trace geographical origin.

Methodology and principal findings

SUBMITTER: Gori Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5815615 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature