Scientists in Sweden have made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize the timber industry in Europe. By combining traditional field work with cutting-edge computer modeling, researchers have developed a method to trace a single beam of lumber back to the forest where it originated.
This new technique, detailed in a recent paper in the Nature Plants journal, has the potential to crack down on the illegal sale of Russian timber in the European Union. Despite sanctions prohibiting the import of Russian lumber due to the conflict in Ukraine, demand for birch, oak, pine, and other types of wood from Russia remains high.
The study involved analyzing the chemical composition of 900 wood samples from 11 countries in Eastern Europe. By inputting this data into a machine learning model, researchers were able to predict the geographic origin of the samples with impressive accuracy.
Lead author Victor Deklerck and his team from Preferred by Nature, a nonprofit organization, collected tree samples across Europe using a non-invasive method that does not harm the trees. The samples were then analyzed for minerals and elements absorbed from the soil and rainfall, creating a unique “chemical fingerprint” for each tree.
The model developed by the researchers could pinpoint the origin of a wood sample to a 125-mile radius, a remarkable achievement given the vast forests of Europe. While the model was successful in identifying samples labeled with the wrong country of origin, further data collection and stricter legislation on lumber disclosure could improve its accuracy.
The implications of this research extend beyond the timber industry, with potential applications in tracking other illegally harvested and traded products like shrimp and palm oil. The study highlights the power of combining scientific innovation with real-world needs, paving the way for future advancements in data analysis and environmental protection.
