Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis for the Comparison of Timber From Two Forest Concessions in Gabon
Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impacts caused by deforestation and illegal logging and there is an increasing demand for supply chain transparency and traceability of wood products. Many importing and exporting nations have implemented regulations which aim to control...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Forests and Global Change |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2021.650257/full |
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| author | Charles J. Watkinson Gareth O. Rees Moundounga Cynel Gwenael Peter Gasson Sabine Hofem Lina Michely Markus Boner |
| author_facet | Charles J. Watkinson Gareth O. Rees Moundounga Cynel Gwenael Peter Gasson Sabine Hofem Lina Michely Markus Boner |
| author_sort | Charles J. Watkinson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impacts caused by deforestation and illegal logging and there is an increasing demand for supply chain transparency and traceability of wood products. Many importing and exporting nations have implemented regulations which aim to control the origin and species of traded timbers of high ecological importance and economic value. However, despite growing interest in method development for timber authentication purposes, many studies have been limited by insufficient numbers of authentic timber reference samples. Our aim was to address the differences in stable isotope ratio profile of bulk, homogenized wood samples collected from living or recently felled trees in two FSC concessions in Gabon, which are approximately 240 km apart, for the purposes of origin classification and protecting valuable forest commodities. Forty-seven timber samples comprising 10 genera of tropical trees were obtained using a Pickering Punch sampling device or chainsaw from two forest concessions in Gabon (Precious Woods Group and Compagnie des Bois du Gabon) during July 2019. Samples were subject to δ18O, δ2H, δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S stable isotope analysis using elemental analysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS). Results show that significant differences are evident in the stable isotope ratios of Aucoumea klaineana between Precious Woods Group and Compagnie des Bois du Gabon forest concessions. Relationships are evident between climatic and geological variables and the stable isotope ratios of the samples suggesting that further degrees of origin classification may be achievable in Gabon. For other species, insufficient numbers meant the possibility to determine discriminating factors between the two concessions was limited though data from these samples may prove useful to contribute to the understanding of stable isotope variability in tropical timber. The data presented establish a basis for evaluating origin claims of forest products and timber from the Compagnie des Bois du Gabon and Precious Woods Group concessions and lay a foundation for future development of timber tracking technologies in Gabon. The technique can be used for purposes of due diligence or forensic investigation by law enforcement as part of demand-side regulations such as the EU Timber Regulation, Illegal Logging Prevention Act, or the Lacey Act. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T13:52:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e3c8db632df541549f80f0cc0dd81a22 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2624-893X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T13:52:37Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Forests and Global Change |
| spelling | doaj.art-e3c8db632df541549f80f0cc0dd81a222022-12-21T23:43:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Forests and Global Change2624-893X2022-01-01410.3389/ffgc.2021.650257650257Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis for the Comparison of Timber From Two Forest Concessions in GabonCharles J. Watkinson0Gareth O. Rees1Moundounga Cynel Gwenael2Peter Gasson3Sabine Hofem4Lina Michely5Markus Boner6Agroisolab UK Ltd., Welburn, United KingdomAgroisolab UK Ltd., Welburn, United KingdomInstitute for Research in Tropical Ecology (IRET/CENAREST), Libreville, GabonJodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United KingdomAgroisolab GmbH, Jülich, GermanyAgroisolab GmbH, Jülich, GermanyAgroisolab GmbH, Jülich, GermanyConsumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impacts caused by deforestation and illegal logging and there is an increasing demand for supply chain transparency and traceability of wood products. Many importing and exporting nations have implemented regulations which aim to control the origin and species of traded timbers of high ecological importance and economic value. However, despite growing interest in method development for timber authentication purposes, many studies have been limited by insufficient numbers of authentic timber reference samples. Our aim was to address the differences in stable isotope ratio profile of bulk, homogenized wood samples collected from living or recently felled trees in two FSC concessions in Gabon, which are approximately 240 km apart, for the purposes of origin classification and protecting valuable forest commodities. Forty-seven timber samples comprising 10 genera of tropical trees were obtained using a Pickering Punch sampling device or chainsaw from two forest concessions in Gabon (Precious Woods Group and Compagnie des Bois du Gabon) during July 2019. Samples were subject to δ18O, δ2H, δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S stable isotope analysis using elemental analysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS). Results show that significant differences are evident in the stable isotope ratios of Aucoumea klaineana between Precious Woods Group and Compagnie des Bois du Gabon forest concessions. Relationships are evident between climatic and geological variables and the stable isotope ratios of the samples suggesting that further degrees of origin classification may be achievable in Gabon. For other species, insufficient numbers meant the possibility to determine discriminating factors between the two concessions was limited though data from these samples may prove useful to contribute to the understanding of stable isotope variability in tropical timber. The data presented establish a basis for evaluating origin claims of forest products and timber from the Compagnie des Bois du Gabon and Precious Woods Group concessions and lay a foundation for future development of timber tracking technologies in Gabon. The technique can be used for purposes of due diligence or forensic investigation by law enforcement as part of demand-side regulations such as the EU Timber Regulation, Illegal Logging Prevention Act, or the Lacey Act.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2021.650257/fullIRMSAucoumea klaineanaGabon2H/1H isotope ratio analysisillegal logging and timber tradeLacey Act |
| spellingShingle | Charles J. Watkinson Gareth O. Rees Moundounga Cynel Gwenael Peter Gasson Sabine Hofem Lina Michely Markus Boner Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis for the Comparison of Timber From Two Forest Concessions in Gabon Frontiers in Forests and Global Change IRMS Aucoumea klaineana Gabon 2H/1H isotope ratio analysis illegal logging and timber trade Lacey Act |
| title | Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis for the Comparison of Timber From Two Forest Concessions in Gabon |
| title_full | Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis for the Comparison of Timber From Two Forest Concessions in Gabon |
| title_fullStr | Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis for the Comparison of Timber From Two Forest Concessions in Gabon |
| title_full_unstemmed | Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis for the Comparison of Timber From Two Forest Concessions in Gabon |
| title_short | Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis for the Comparison of Timber From Two Forest Concessions in Gabon |
| title_sort | stable isotope ratio analysis for the comparison of timber from two forest concessions in gabon |
| topic | IRMS Aucoumea klaineana Gabon 2H/1H isotope ratio analysis illegal logging and timber trade Lacey Act |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2021.650257/full |
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