Chilean National Symbol Threatened

The majestic alerce tree (Fitzroya cupressoides) is a national symbol of Chile. The grand trees can live for thousands of years and attain a height of 50 metres. Cutting live alerce trees was banned in 1976, but the lumber is highly sought after and the ban has driven up the price. The harvest of fallen or burned trees was allowed. Unscrupulous loggers have burned or damaged trees, so that there has been a steady supply of dead trees to harvest.

Spurred on by environmental groups, the government of Chile has taken steps to further protect the alerces. Fitzroya cupressoides was proposed for protected status under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 1987, but Chile had reservations about the classification of its trees. Recently the government agreed to a stronger protection status under CITES that prohibits all international trade in the timber.

Links:

• Black market threatens a Chilean symbol from the International Herald Tribune


• Chile Drops Reservation to CITES Trade Ban on Endangered Trees from Forests.org

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 5:29 PM on June 17, 2005

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