Lesser-Known Timber Species: Good for Business, Good for Forests
A Conversation with Amy Smith, Manager, Wood Sector Engagement, World Wildlife Fund
We're all familiar with the beauty and durability of tree species such as afrormosia, mahogany, ipe, meranti and Spanish cedar. However, the high commercial demand for these species has put pressure on available stocks. In an effort to preserve biodiversity, countries around the world have agreed to place restrictions on trade in some of these species, while others are either hard to find in the marketplace or their sourcing can be cost prohibitive. The effort to find the "next big thing" is leading many companies to pursue so-called Lesser-Known Species (LKS) to meet and surpass their customers' needs.
IWPA sat down with Amy Smith, Manager of Wood Sector Engagement at the World Wildlife Fund, to talk about the benefits of sourcing LKS.
Q: Why should businesses choose to invest in sourcing Lesser-Known Species?
A: There are hundreds of species in the world with similar physical and mechanical properties as traditionally harvested species, such as eveuss (Klainedoxa gabonensis), cherek and jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril), to name a few. In Cameroon, for example, 500 of the 630 tree species that have actual or potential commercial value are categorized as LKS.
This is good news for wood products companies, as it allows access to a wider variety of woods that offer similar aesthetic appeal and perform just as well as many species that are already highly sought after in the marketplace. Companies benefit financially too since the cost for LKS is relatively low given that they are under-utilized and abundant.
Q: What are some of the environmental benefits of sourcing Lesser-Known Species?
A: Companies that utilize LKS can feel good about protecting the environment because harvesting and sourcing a wider portfolio of species reduces pressure on species with high market demand. Fewer vulnerable and threatened species means higher biodiversity in forests. It also raises the value of the standing forest, which not only helps to keep it from being cleared and converted to other uses with fewer environmental values, but will also be crucial to meeting wood demand in the long term.
Sourcing LKS with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification sustains ecological, carbon, nutrient and water cycles in forests and reduces the susceptibility of tree species to diseases and fire. In order to achieve the environmental objectives of FSC certification, forest managers might have to reduce the volume of wood extracted from the forest each harvesting cycle if only high market value species are utilized, which in turn could reduce revenues in the short term. But using LKS can help managers to reach a certain threshold of wood extraction per acre that makes responsible forest management economically viable.
Q: What is WWF doing to promote Lesser-Known Species?
A: The Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN) is one of World Wildlife Fund's initiatives to combat illegal logging and drive improvements in forest management while transforming the global marketplace into a force for saving the world's valuable and threatened forests. GFTN works with more than 200 companies at all levels of the wood and paper supply chain in 25 countries, providing structured technical support in legal and responsible forestry and trade. One of the goals of GFTN is to enhance market uptake of LKS from credibly certified forests.
To help buyers identify and locate viable alternatives to traditionally-used species, GFTN has published A Guide to Lesser Known Tropical Timber Species. The guide
Frequently asked questions
What are Lesser-Known Species (LKS) in the timber industry?+
Lesser-Known Species are tree species that are under-utilized and abundant but share similar physical and mechanical properties to traditionally harvested species like mahogany, ipe, and meranti. Examples include eveuss (Klainedoxa gabonensis), cherek, and jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril).
Why are companies turning to Lesser-Known Species instead of traditional timbers?+
High commercial demand has placed pressure on stocks of species like afrormosia, mahogany, ipe, meranti, and Spanish cedar, leading to trade restrictions, scarcity, or high costs. LKS offer similar aesthetic appeal and performance at a relatively low cost since they are under-utilized and abundant.
What are the environmental benefits of sourcing Lesser-Known Species?+
Harvesting a wider portfolio of species reduces pressure on high-demand species, supports higher biodiversity, and raises the value of the standing forest, helping prevent its conversion to other uses. This also helps meet long-term wood demand.
How many tree species in Cameroon are categorized as Lesser-Known Species?+
In Cameroon, 500 of the 630 tree species that have actual or potential commercial value are categorized as Lesser-Known Species.
How does FSC certification relate to sourcing Lesser-Known Species?+
Sourcing LKS with Forest Stewardship Council certification sustains ecological, carbon, nutrient, and water cycles in forests and reduces tree susceptibility to disease and fire. Utilizing LKS also helps forest managers reach wood extraction thresholds per acre that make responsible forest management economically viable.
What is the WWF Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN)?+
GFTN is a WWF initiative that combats illegal logging and drives improvements in forest management by working with more than 200 companies across the wood and paper supply chain in 25 countries. One of its goals is to enhance market uptake of LKS from credibly certified forests.