The Department of Science and Technology-Forest Product Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) is taking significant strides in advancing the accuracy and reliability of identifying Philippine wood species through cutting-edge molecular-level research and development. These efforts will ensure alignment with global benchmarks, promoting transparency and confidence in international trade.
“Our commitment to enhancing Philippine wood identification reflects our dedication to sustainable forestry practices. By capacitating our researchers into integrating state-of-the-art technologies at the molecular level, we are enhancing our capability to accurately classify and certify Philippine wood species,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr.
Wood identification is the scientific process of establishing the identity of a wood specimen based on its anatomical, physical and structural properties. It is used in the country’s anti-illegal logging campaign by providing a basis for charges against violators.
“It would help our biodiversity protection efforts if we could employ the same state-of-the-art techniques in wood identification and preservation. Right now, we are doing our wood identification by examining the wood anatomy. Most countries, however, use more advanced and precise methods such as molecular technique or DNA sequencing, or machine-aided wood identification. We hope to acquire the needed equipment so we can boost the wood identification service we offer, and at the same time give more value to our vast collection of wood specimens,” explained Estudillo, the curator of the Institute’s Herbarium and Xylarium Facility.
It is also important in the realm of culture and local heritage. In the field of archaeology, identity of wood specimens recovered from study sites can be established.
To date, DOST-FPRDI’s Herbarium and Xylarium Facility houses 2,631 herbarium voucher specimens (810 species from 339 genera and 110 families), and the most complete wood collection of 10,983 authentic specimens in the country (2,282 species under 463 genera and 197 families of Philippine tree species). This wood collection represents more than 90% of Philippine tree species and is an important reference for archaeologists, foresters and students.
“This is a very rare and valuable collection since some of the collected species no longer exist in the natural forests. For example, in our collection is katagpo (Psychotria ilocana) which has been extinct in the wild for more than 100 years already. Thus, we have to protect this collection because it will be difficult to stockpile and impossible to replicate some of them again,” Estudillo said.
In 2022, the DOST-FPRDI received a request from a foreign film company to identify wood samples from a shipwreck. The ship was said to be a part of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. According to Estudillo, the specimens were first sent to laboratories in the United States, but their identities could not be established. DOST-FPRDI experts, however, were able to identify the woods as molave (Vitex parviflora) and supa (Sindora supa), both of which are endemic to the Philippines.
“Studies in this field dealing with material culture left behind by past societies, especially pre-historic ones, help people understand how their ancestors lived, and how their cultures changed. DOST-FPRDI can contribute to efforts that define social identity,” explained Estudillo.
As DOST-FPRDI OIC Director Rico J. Cabangon stated, “Our goal is to ultimately assist the Philippines, particularly our law enforcement agencies, in accurately identifying illegally possessed woods… With enough funding support, we can utilize advanced technology to cross-reference DNA profiles of challenging anatomical wood samples with a comprehensive database. This will allow authorities to accurately identify the species and the origin of timber, bamboo, and other forest products.” – (PR)
