Latest research from Duke University has shown that some species of Rosewood from the tropical forests of Madagascar are in danger of becoming extinct. Continued illegal logging combined with social and political unrest in the area means that there is a lack of law enforcement. international protections policies are also not being enforced.
A number of issues are believed to be playing a role in the lost of the rosewood trees
- the military backed change of government last year
- a collapse in the numbers of ecotourism to the area
- Brazilian rosewoods getting CITES protection in 1992
- an expanding demand from developing nations especially China
Of the 48 species of rosewoods found in Madagascar 47 are found nowhere else in the world so the increasing amount of illegal logging taking place is putting major pressure on these slow growing trees.
Duke University graduate student Meredith Barrett, the lead author of the policy paper said, When we went there in October, it had become obvious that Madagascar’s tourism had collapsed and that unrestricted logging was accelerating.”
It is believed that about 10,000 - 15,000 metric tonnes of felled rosewood is waiting at ports in Madagascar waiting to be exported. However despite large scale illegal logging in the rain-forest the local economy is not benefiting greatly. Barrett reported “The Malagasy logger who fells the tree is paid about 50 cents for “backbreaking work.” A Chinese rosewood armoire retails for about $20,000.”
Rosewoods are at particular threat from logging as they are very slow growing and also grow in isolation from each other. As logging continues it becomes more difficult for the trees to reproduce naturally. The other problem with illegal logging is that it is rarely selective and many trees are felled to get to the economically important ones. This adds to general habitat loss and affects all the wildlife in the tropical forest.
Duke University policy paper calls for the government to enforce regulations consistently by the new Madagascar government and for the Madagascan rosewoods to be given formal CITES protection. They also called for scientists and conservation groups to increase public awareness of the losses to being pressure to bear on the Malagasy government.
photo credit: World Resources Institute Staff
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