Wood Tracking Information Systems to Confront Illegal Logging

This paper examines the current wood tracking information systems used in international wood trade aiming to prevent and control illegally logged timber and wood products trade. Moreover, innovative log tracking mechanisms and technologies are also described and assessed. Wood tracking can add value to the wood product, by establishing an information system aiming to recognize and locate legal wood and wood products. Apart from the traditional punching and painting log-tracing methods, there are various digital wood traceability information systems for recognition, log tracking and monitoring, including barcodes, QR codes, RFID, microchips etc. Furthermore, various innovative wood tracking systems are also presented and discussed. The aim of the paper is to describe and quote those methods used in wood trade sector, to identify current trends and perspectives and to quote them as to their reliability, practicality, level of information provided and cost. Further it provides insight from log-traceability methods used in Greek Forests.