The spatial pattern of redwood burl poaching and implications for prevention

Abstract

Poaching redwood burls is a problem for Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP), in Northern California, USA. Poachers use chainsaws to remove and they sell them at local burl shops. Consequently, targeted trees are left susceptible to disease and can die. Given the limited resources RNSP have at their disposal, the study reports an empirically driven resource allocation strategy. The study first explores the spatial distribution of poaching incidents and other potentially important drivers of poaching in RNSP before employing an econometric approach informed by crime pattern theory to better understand how features of the natural and built environment within RNSP explain burl poaching. An exact logistic model suggests areas that include a greater number of targets (i.e. redwood burls) that are accessible to roads, as well as areas that are near to a greater number of burl shops are at an increased risk of burl poaching. The odds-ratios for each respective variable in the model are utilized to highlight those areas at greatest risk, and in turn to provide practical guidance for more spatially focused ranger patrols and interventions. A comprehensive intervention strategy that works on multiple levels to reduce opportunities for burl poaching in RNSP is discussed.