Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Illegal Logging in Selectively Logged Production Forest: A Case Study in Yedashe, Myanmar

DOI Web Site 6 Citations 31 References
  • Win Zar Chi
    Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation
  • Mizoue Nobuya
    Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University
  • Ota Tetsuji
    Institute of Decision Science for a Sustainable Society, Kyushu University
  • Wang Guangyu
    Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia
  • Innes John L.
    Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia
  • Kajisa Tsuyoshi
    Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University
  • Yoshida Shigejiro
    Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University

Abstract

<p>Illegal logging is a globally important issue, but there is dearth of quantitative information on the spatial and temporal patterns of illegal logging on the ground. We measured the size, species, and ages of stumps from illegally or legally logged trees along a total of 10 km of 20-m-wide transects in traditional production forests of Myanmar. The number and basal area of stumps resulting from illegal logging were 9.93- and 3.89-fold greater, respectively, than those of legal logging. Illegal logging always targeted high-quality trees for timber, but it increased significantly after legal logging. Spatial patterns of illegal logging varied before, during and after legal logging. More illegal logging occurred in areas that were closer to old footpaths before legal logging, but more illegal logging occurred closer to main and logging roads after legal operations. We conclude that current legal logging operations facilitate illegal logging because the construction of logging roads makes it easier for illegal loggers to transport their harvests. Therefore, the government should enforce existing rules that require that logging roads be decommissioned and rendered impassable after the cessation of legal logging operations.</p>

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