Descriptions

This project supports PhD research in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on non-detriment findings for trade in Pericopsis timber. It was initiated to address the need for reliable data to facilitate the establishment of a sound forest management plan with sustainable wood production and legal international trade of afrormosia (Pericopsis elata) timber. Scientific research in the DRC is being implemented to collect relevant data, information and knowledge. The project is expected to achieve the following objectives:

- Organization of research on performance of individual P. elata trees, including height-diameter relationships, phenology of leaves, cambial activity and sapwood proportions.
- Estimation of the vital rates (growth, mortality and regeneration) of natural populations of P. elata.
- Evaluation of the silvicultural potential, including afforestation, of P. elata.
- Documentation of the steps necessary for making a non-detriment finding for international trade of P. elata timber.