Application of DNA fingerprints to control

Application of DNA fingerprints to control tree species and geographic origin of timber Bernd Degen Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics, Germany bernd.degen@ti.bund.de 2013

Content 1. Introduction 2. Control species identity 3. Control geographic origin 4. Conclusions / outlook 2

1. Introduction question Legal initiatives to reduce illegal logging EU timber regulation in place since March 2013 Voluntary partnership agreements (VPAs) between the EU and timber producing countries US Lacey Act Protection of some tree species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Import bans for specific countries 3

1. Introduction question Control with genetics on different scales: A) Is the timber from the declared dspecies? => control of species identity B) Is the timber from the declared country? => large scale control of geographic origin C) Is the timber from the declared region / forest concession? => small scale control of geographic origin D) Is the timber from the declared individual trees? => tree by tree approach to check the chain of custody 4

Method 2. Control species identity Search hfor genetic differences among tree species => DNA sequencing of the same genes Development of robust tools to amplify these genetic species differences => Gene maker / DNA barcodes bp Swietenia sp. Carapa, Khaya, Entandrophragma, Cedrela sp. 5 Size standard

2. Control species identity Example of application: Is the confiscated timber mahogany? Yes, the timber is Cuba mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni)! ) 500 400 300 200 Swietenia macrophylla S. mahagoni 6 Photo: Customs Rotterdam 2011 100 bp

Example of application Glued oak timber is declared das Siberian oak 2. Control species identity Thepiece of timberiscomposedis by a mixture of European and Mongolian oak 7

3. Control geographic origin Genetic differences in the distribution area of European oaks Petit et al. (2002) Forest Ecology and Management 176: 595 599. 8

3. Control geographic origin Method: 1. Development of gene markers Iroko (Milicia excelsa + M. regia) Daïnou et al. (2010), Mol Ecol 19:4462 4477 2. Creation of a genetic reference map Sampling in the distribution area of the species Genetic inventories 3. Sampling and genotyping timber 4. Statistical comparison with the genetic reference data 9

3. Control geographic origin Genetic reference map for mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) in Latinamerica 10 International co operation Germany: Thünen Institute UK: CEH, Costa Rica: CATIE USA: University Puerto Rico, Brazil : INPA Sao Paulo Forest Institute, Botanical garden Rio de Janeiro

3. Control geographic origin Genetic reference map for merbau (Intsia sp.) in South East Asia 2707 samples, 51 populations, 9 countries International ti co operation Germany: Thünen Institute Australia: University of Adelaide Singapore: DoubleHelix Tracking Technology 11

3. Control geographic origin Genetic reference map for Siberian larch (Larix sp.) in Russia 12 International co operation Thünen Institute, Germany Russian Academy of Science US Forest Service WWF Russia

3. Control geographic origin Genetic reference map Sapeli (Entandrophragma cylindricum) in a forest concession in Cameroon 13

3. Control geographic origin Genetic reference map Sapeli (Entandrophragma cylindricum) in a forest concession in Cameroon Results blind test Samples Genetic test True origin 2 (16) CFC CFC 45 km 3 (17) outside CFC 4 (10) outside E. Utile (Sipo), Congo 5 (11) outside Congo 6 (11) outside Congo 7a (17) CFC CFC 10 (9) outside Congo 14

3. Control geographic origin Genetic tracking of individual trees 1 1) Sampling of cambium of trees before felling => retain sample 2) Paper documentation on the chain of custody 3) Sampling of wood from declared trees at different steps of the chain of custody 2 3 4) Comparison of genetic fingerprints of pairs (retain sample + second sample) Tree 12 Retain sample 1 Tree 12 Lumber place OK! 2 Tree 12 Saw mill OK! 3 15

5. Conclusions / outlook Application of genetic control methods for timber has been broadly published in international journals! 16

5. Conclusions / outlook Genetic fingerprints of trees have been used as evidence in capital crimes! 17

5. Conclusions / outlook Technology transfer of genetic approaches to timber producer countries! Kumasi, Ghana Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) Libreville, Gabon, Institut de Recherche en Ecologie Tropicale (IRET) Nairobi, Kenya, Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) 18

5. Conclusions / outlook 19

5. Conclusions / outlook International co operation DNA barcodes for additional 20 50 tree species per year ITTO project PD 620/11 Rev.1 (M) Genetic reference maps for 2 5 additional tree species per year Source: http://africamap.harvard.edu/ Center for Geographic Analysis Research Alliance Russia Far East Project 20

5. Conclusions / outlook Example: Merbau Application of genetic tests for highly processed timber (chipboards, plywood, cardboard, paper) Increasing the spatial resolution of genetic reference maps Genetic tests as tamperproof audits of CoCcertification More gene markers = higher spatial resolution 21

5. Conclusions / outlook Thünen Centre of Competence on the Origin of Timber www.ti.bund.de/timber/ Species identificationifi i Control of geographic origin Analysis of timber trade Support on certification 22

5. Conclusions / outlook Thank you!!! 23