Tracing the world’s timber: the status of scientific verification technologies for species and origin identification

Summary Illegal logging and illegal timber trade is a global problem. Anatomical, genetic, chemical techniques support legislation by verifying the species geographic origin of timber. In principle, these methods can be used to identify harvest, however, availability specific tests for important unclear. We review status top 322 priority taxa. Our results show that identification, reference data exist 100% taxa using wood anatomy, 86% genetics, 41% DART TOFMS, 6% NIRS. For 24% taxa, with most studies applying genetic approaches (23%). No have developed forensic-ready The highlights current potential identifying greater than more research focused on determining geographical required. Based rate, it will take approx. 27 years generate all Finally, we opportunities improve tracing efforts. findings indicate needed, quickly so scientific verification regulators combat logging.