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Picture of a heap of timber
Photo: Johan Wingborg
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Researchers can reveal illegal timber exports

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A new method of timber analysis developed by researchers from the University of Gothenburg can confidently identify the location in which the tree was harvested. The method has been developed with the aim of combating illegal timber imports from Russia and Belarus.

Illegal logging and the associated trade in wood products is a global problem that threatens some of the world's most important ecosystems. Researchers are trying to combat this practise with a new scientific method that can reveal where a tree has been harvested. The researchers present their findings in a paper published in the journal Nature Plants.

“The issue became even more urgent after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russian timber continues to be exported to the EU and the US despite imposed sanctions, by falsifying the origin of the timber. Illegal timber exports are partly financing Russia's war,” says Jakub Truszkowski, researcher in computational biology at the University of Gothenburg.

Chemical footprint

A growing tree is affected by its environment. Soil composition, environmental pollution and climate leave a chemical footprint in wood tissue, and this is what the researchers use to determine its origin. First, a large collection of reference material is required. Then, using machine learning, the researchers can determine whether the stated harvest location of the sample is correct.

Picture of Jakub Truskowski while taking a tree sample.
Tree samples were collected in 11 Eastern European countries to create a large reference material.
Photo: Victor Deklerck

“We collected 900 wood samples from 11 Eastern European countries, including Belarus and Russia. We selected oak, birch, pine and beech, all of which are important in the timber trade. By analysing and comparing isotope ratios and the concentrations of 15 different trace elements in wood tissue, we can determine the harvest location of the tree within a 200 kilometer radius,” says Jakub Truszkowski.

Useful worldwide

The study led to the creation of a comprehensive reference database on Eastern European timber, tailored to products under sanctions after the invasion of Ukraine. These data facilitated the development of methods to verify the authenticity of timber origin claims and even predict the location of harvest.

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Flödesschema över hur identifieringen av träd går till
By analysing isotope ratios and trace elements in the wood, researchers can deduce where the timber was harvested.

“We would like to refine our method so that we can further increase the accuracy and confidence in our predictions. It is still under development and will get better the more data we get,” says Jakub Truszkowski.

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Portrait of Jakub Truszkowski
Jakub Truszkowski, researcher at the University of Gothenburg.
Photo: Johnie Clayton

While this study focused on the illegal timber trade in Eastern Europe, the method is applicable all over the world. It is estimated that more than half of tropical timber may be harvested illegally.

“It is important to protect highly biodiverse forests from illegal logging. By tracing the origin of timber, we can combat this practice,” says Jakub Truszkowski.

Scientific article in Nature Plants: A framework for tracing timber following the Ukraine invasion

Contact info: Jakub Truszkowski, researcher at the Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Gothenburg, phone: +46 (0)734-78 26 03, e-mail: jakub.truszkowski@gmail.com