AIM

The Wood Identification (Wood ID) project aims to reduce illegal logging by catalyzing the application of wood identification technologies to verify claims about the species and origin of timber and forest products as well as strengthen law enforcement in Indonesia through promoting scientific evidence for wood identification. We thrives to improve national competence and capacity to analyze wood samples for wood identification including supporting database collection as wood reference data as well as enhancing the legal framework for enforcement agencies to establish standards for wood forensics.

Improving national competence and capacity to analyze wood samples for wood identification including supporting database collection as wood reference data as well as enhancing the legal framework for enforcement agencies to establish standards for wood forensics.

WHERE

Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Sulawesi.

WHY

Illegal logging continues to be one of the major causes of deforestation and forest degradation in Indonesia, driven by increasing global demand for wood and dwindling supplies. Legal timber trade, wood markets, and supply chains are most vulnerable to products from illegal logging.

Meanwhile, legal timber production is also threatened by violations such as shipment record manipulation and the sale of counterfeit certificates by exporters. Document forgery and misinformation regarding timber legality are also serious threats to timber trade in Indonesia.

To address this issue, wood identification technology is being developed to study the characteristics of specific types of wood. Steps and forensic technologies are recommended to enhance the validity, reliability, and accuracy of wood identification. This technology can improve traceability and legality of wood, as well as support the trade of legal, sustainable, and traceable forest products and their derivatives.

HOW

We conduct studies to explore different uses of wood identification technology by law enforcement officials, which will serve as a reference in formulating a strategic plan to enhance the capacity of relevant parties and determine the location of Wood ID trials. We also support the creation of a wood reference database by collecting wood samples from three selected species in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Additionally, we are developing forensic guidelines for wood DNA identification to support law enforcement officials in Indonesia.

PARTNERS

IPB University and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

CONTACT PERSON

Dhio Teguh Ferdyan is Project Lead Forest and Legality Initiative di WRI Indonesia, dhio.ferdyan@wri.org