Breakthrough may enable reforestation using mahogany
mongabay.com
October 16, 2008
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.