Breakthrough may enable reforestation using mahogany

Brazilian researchers are closer to developing a way to establish large-scale mahogany plantations, reports the ITTO in its bi-monthly update.

Scientists at the Federal Rural University of Amazonia (UFRA) have found that planting a matrix of mahogany with cedar reduces the incidence of the Hypsipyla grandella caterpillar, a chief pest of mahogany that has doomed previous attempts to reforest with the valuable hardwood species.

Should the technique prove viable, it could reduce pressure on wild mahogany, a species which is highly sought on timber markets. The pursuit of mahogany has been a major driver of illegal logging throughout Latin America.

The technique could also allow the reforestation of degraded lands using mahogany seedlings.

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Rhett Butler Editor

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BotanyEnvironmentForestryForestsGreenLoggingRainforestsReforestationTreesBrazilLatin AmericaSouth America

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