Forests are complex ecosystems, and they change over time. Contemporary sustainable forest management (SFM) requires the collection and analysis of timely, accurate, meaningful data to assist in understanding these systems, monitoring changes, and tracking their harvested products. This edition of the TFU takes a look at some of ITTO’s efforts to help forest managers address this information challenge.
Tropical Forest Update
Issue 27 No 3
Keeping track of the forest
Ayanaris Vargas, an officer with Panama’s environment ministry MIAMBIENTE, uses her phone to scan a barcode attached to a tree in Darién, Panama. An ITTO project has developed a phone app designed to track timber from the forest to end use and thereby reduce illegality. Photo: R. Carrillo/ITTO
Contents
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From the Executive Director
by DieterleRethinking incentives and enabling frameworks. -
Creating a base for rosewood identification
by Hassold, Crameri, Ravaomanalina, Lowry II, WidmerScientists have established a reference collection for valuable timber species in Madagascar and a protocol for building such collections worldwide. -
Tracking timber in Peru
by Ojeda, Salirrosas, CheroTracking timber in Peru ITTO has assisted the country’s forest sector in determining the elements of a successful timber-tracking system for small-to-large operators. -
A permanent approach to forest monitoring
by RamírezGuatemala’s Forest Productivity Information System is making large quantities of forest data available through the monitoring of permanent sample plots. -
BOManejo: software for forest managers
by Pereira, KanashiroAn ITTO project has helped develop a computer tool to speed up and improve forest management planning. -
Indonesia opens its arms to social forestry
by BaumA non-profit company is promoting smallholder-grown “lightwood” in Indonesia to supply industrial needs and boost farmer incomes. -
Fellowship report
by KimAn ITTO Fellow increased his knowledge and skills at a training course on wood anatomy and identification -
Market trends
by AdamsDespite economic growth, the European Union’s tropical timber trade languished in 2017 -
Tropical and topical
by Sato -
Recent editions
by Sato -
Meetings
Ayanaris Vargas, an officer with Panama’s environment ministry MIAMBIENTE, uses her phone to scan a barcode attached to a tree in Darién, Panama. An ITTO project has developed a phone app designed to track timber from the forest to end use and thereby reduce illegality. Photo: R. Carrillo/ITTO
Full edition
The ITTO Tropical Forest Update is published quarterly in English, French and Spanish.
The French and Spanish editions are usually posted about one month after the English.
Also available at
Latest editions
Issue 28 No.1
Embracing the equality of women and men
Women have always been part of forestry—as custodians of traditionalknowledge, as gatherers and user...
Issue 27 No 4
Building bridges for SFM
Transboundary conservation areas (TBCAs) can be defined as geographical areas that are ecologically connected a...
Issue 27 No 2
The buzz on green supply chains
There’s plenty of talk these days about “sustainable” or “green” supply cha...
Issue 27 No 1
Putting the pieces together
Sustainable forestry has much to offer at all scales, from the household to the planetary. Certain non-renewab...
Content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of ITTO. ITTO holds the copyright to all photos unless otherwise stated. Articles may be reprinted without charge providing the Tropical Forest Update and author are credited and the editor notified (tfu@itto.int).