Mexico Adopts Advanced Technology to Curb Deforestation

The National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC) unveiled a cutting-edge technological tool designed to identify illegally sourced timber. This innovative solution aims to curb wood trafficking in different regions of the country.

The acquisition of the AccuTOFTM DART Express equipment resulted from INECC's participation in the recent donation call under the project "Strengthening Wood Identification Capacities in Mexico." This project was spearheaded by the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), with the backing of the International Programs Office of the United States Forest Service.

The machine employs Direct Analysis in Real Time-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (DART-ToFMS) technology, which enables the comprehensive chemical profiling of wood samples through a phytochemical study. "It is a fast, precise, and relatively cost-effective technique for the forensic identification of wood. With just a small sample, it becomes possible to determine the wood species. This technology provides the mass spectra of a sample, equivalent to a fingerprint," reads a statement by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). This method offers the possibility of developing reference databases that can be shared among laboratories, with the potential to aid in determining whether the wood and its products originate from legal or illegal sources. 

In 2017, scientists from the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory joined forces to create the Forensic Spectra of Trees (ForeST) database, which gathers more than 4,000 wood samples from around the world, including endangered species designated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 

Mariana Morales, Director, INECC, acknowledged the fruitful collaboration with the United States Forest Service that resulted in the donation of the equipment. She emphasized that this partnership will enhance the capabilities of the institute's laboratories, playing a pivotal role in different initiatives aimed at environmental conservation and territorial protection.

Janina Reyes, Representative of USNORTHCOM, US Embassy in Mexico, noted that with this equipment, Mexico becomes part of a worldwide network of government agencies and scientists dedicated to reducing illegal logging, safeguarding communities dependent on forests, and combating climate change. Furthermore, Reyes underscored that the project will facilitate judicial processes involving confiscated timber. 

In 2023, Mexico found itself featured on the list of nations with low performance in tackling climate change, as revealed by the Climate Change Performance Index 2023 (CCPI), as reported by MBN. Along with a heavy reliance on fossil fuels, illegal deforestation stood out as a pivotal factor contributing to the country’s poor performance in the assessment. “Despite a target of zero deforestation by 2030, experts report that livestock production activities, urban sprawl and unauthorized changes in land use are driving deforestation and affecting local communities,” reads the study. 

Over the past two decades, Mexico has witnessed the depletion of 736,000ha of primary forests, a consequence of rampant logging. This is equivalent to five times the size of Mexico City, as reported by Global Forest Watch, an application that provides real-time monitoring of forests worldwide. Additionally, according to Greenpeace 70% of the timber traded domestically originates from illegal logging activities. 

However, amid this concerning scenario, María Luisa Albores, Minister, SEMARNAT, highlighted that between 2019 and 2021, deforested areas in the country have seen a reduction from 212,000ha to 170,000ha. This positive trend is attributed to the federal government's efforts in addressing deforestation.