@article{fdi:010094409,
  title = {{C}ontribution of artisanal chainsaw milling to forest degradation in {C}entral {A}frica},
  author = {{L}escuyer, {G}. and {V}autrin, {C}. and {M}ercier, {A}. and {D}ubiez, {E}. and {B}isimwa, {B}. and {B}etbeder, {J}. and {C}outeron, {P}ierre},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{C}hainsaw milling is a neglected activity in forestry policies, because it is often carried out informally and by a large number of dispersed operators. {A}rtisanal logging is also widely accused of contributing to forest degradation and deforestation. {T}o test this hypothesis, we visited 120 chainsaw milling sites in {C}ameroon and the {D}emocratic {R}epublic of {C}ongo ({DRC}) to assess its impact on the state of the forest and to analyse the rationales of artisanal loggers. {O}ur findings paint a mixed picture of this activity: (1) 84% of the trees felled by chainsaw millers are located in the 'undisturbed' forest zone but at a short distance from degraded forest zones; (2) even when carried out without a licence, chainsaw milling complies with most of the legal technical requirements, except for the dabema species in {C}ameroon; (3) chainsaw millers adopt two profit maximisation strategies: in the {DRC}, the very high price of afrormosia and sapelli explains why these two species are still exploited intensively. {I}n {C}ameroon, conversely, the low prices of sawn timber on the national market have encouraged operators to diversify the species felled to minimise the cost of removing sawn timber from the forest. {V}arious interventions to regulate and professionalise chainsaw milling are needed to support the diversity of their production strategies, but two measures seem essential: formal chainsaw milling permits need to be made available at lower cost and the range of timber species on the national markets should be expanded, especially in {DRC}.},
  keywords = {{I}llegal logging ; deforestation ; small-scale timber harvest ; {C}ameroon ; {D}emocratic {R}epublic of {C}ongo ; {C}ongo basin ; {CAMEROUN} ; {REPUBLIQUE} {DEMOCRATIQUE} {DU} {CONGO} ; {CONGO} {BASSIN}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{F}orests {T}rees and {L}ivelihoods},
  volume = {[{E}arly access]},
  numero = {},
  pages = {[17 ]},
  ISSN = {1472-8028},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1080/14728028.2025.2535578},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094409},
}