Thwarting Tree Poachers

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/39402/title/Thwarting_Tree_Poachers


According to this article, the earth’s tree cover helps store carbon dioxide and moderate ground temperatures. We know that because of the increase in green house gases trees are important to maintaining the earth’s temperature. It has been known that for years people are cutting down forests to provide the demand for the wood. Many trees are being destroyed at enormous rates and something needs to be done to protect the trees. The article states that “a new U.S. regulation that went into effect earlier this week has the potential to dramatically dampen trade in those poached trees”. There is the Lacey Act which protects certain species from being poached and traded. When this Act was originally signed it was only designated for wild life and game. In the years that it has been in affect (over 108 years), it has was amended to prohibit interstate or international importation of protected or illegally gained species.