New field-level technique available for identifying timber species

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been applied successfully to wood identification and verification of origin by the Forest Products Laboratory (LPF) of the Brazilian Forest Service, thanks to support from the ITTO–CITES Programme for Implementing CITES Listings of Tropical Tree Species.

NIRS wood identification is now available for 16 endangered tropical tree species, and wood identification and origin verification have been applied to mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla). NIRS is an accurate, practical and rapid method for identifying timber in the field and at checkpoints along the timber supply chain, thus facilitating the enforcement of CITES regulations and improving market transparency. Watch this new video from the LPF to learn more.