CBER External Seminar - Dr Victor Deklerck, Kew Gardens

Abstract: To enforce timber regulations and to accurately verify timber species identity and origin, effective scientific methods in combination with robust reference databases are needed. In most cases, where collection exist, they do not contain accurately georeferenced samples. World Forest ID aims to build the world’s largest georeferenced timber and forest risk commodity (FRC) reference database, to allow verification of timber or FRC identity and origin. World Forest ID is a US-based nonprofit organization supported by international partners, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK), the U.S. Forest Service - International Programs (USA), Assurance Services International, World Resources Institute, and the Forest Stewardship Council. The World Forest ID reference database houses (1) physical wood and FRC samples collected globally, and (2) analysis data against which forest products and FRCs can be verified. As of this moment, the physical database holds more than 17,000 wood samples from more than 5,000 trees and more than 900 cocoa, coffee, and soy samples from more than 400 plants. The analytical database will be made available to enforcement agencies and analysis labs. The scientific methods used by World Forest ID affiliated labs include wood anatomy (manual and machine vision), DART-TOFMS, DNA, Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis and Trace Elements. Using World Forest ID data, enforcement officials will be able to rely on evidence of timber and FRC (il)legality in the supply chain and can trace back FRC’s linked to deforestation.