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This study examines the dynamics, social dimensions, causes, and characteristics of illegal activities within the forestry sector of the Mining Ural region from the 1870s to the early 1890s, focusing on data from the Perm Province. The analysis reveals a high incidence of crimes related to the theft and damage of timber resources, supported by identified statistical data. It is shown that the increasing trend of such offenses prompted a tightening of state law enforcement policies during the reign of Alexander III. Notably, the most serious crimes in the forestry sector, which fell under the jurisdiction of general judicial institutions — such as mass resistance against forest guards and armed threats to officials of the mining and forestry agency—were relatively rare. This study provides a novel analysis of the class, gender, and age structure of individuals convicted for violations of state forest regulations. At the micro level, it highlights the realities of forestry crime and its suppression in the Ural region. Based on materials from periodicals, administrative records, and judicial investigation documents, it concludes that the prevalence of timber theft in the Mining Ural region stemmed from unresolved issues in state regulation of forestry relations and other problems, including unemployment, poverty, and inaccessibility to essential resources. The author argues that a significant portion of forestry law violations in the Ural region during the late 19th century can be characterized as social crime.

A single timber theft incident can cost family forest landowners thousands of dollars. Preventing illegal timber harvesting is also an important component of sustainability. A survey of consulting foresters and interviews with investigators, prosecutors, and forest industry were conducted to document timber theft detections, resolutions, and security measures. Complete questionnaires were received from 430 foresters from 11 southern states (37% response rate). Interviews were conducted with five investigators, two prosecuting attorneys, and 10 forest industry representatives. Almost half (47%) of consulting foresters had encountered at least one timber theft incident in the previous 3 years, but losses represented <1% of timber harvest value. State forestry agencies investigated approximately 100 cases per year, while local law enforcement rarely investigated these cases. Timber theft cases were most often resolved outside of court with very few cases prosecuted. Vigilance by foresters and law enforcement is necessary to prevent timber theft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes an unmanned aerial system (UAS) method for accurately estimating the number and diameters of harvested Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) stumps in a final harvest (often referred as clear-cut) situation. The study methods are potentially useful in initial detection, quantification of area and volume estimation of legal or illegal logging events to help estimate the volumes and value of removed pine timber. The study sites used included three adjacent pine stands in East-Central Mississippi. Using image pattern recognition algorithms, results show a counting accuracy of 77.3% and RMSE of 4.3 cm for stump diameter estimation. The study also shows that the area can be accurately estimated from the UAS collected data. Our experimental study shows that the proposed UAS survey method has the potential for wide use as a monitoring or investigation tool in the forestry and land management industries.

Community-based forestry has the potential to improve forest management in the commons. Unfortunately, the ease with which logging interests are able to ignore community decisions and steal timber remains troubling. This article analyzes how illegal logging is highly erosive to community cohesiveness and institutions in the context of community forestry in Mexico. It analyzes the modus operandi of clandestine logging operations and their complex relationship with common property managers. Resistance and complicity simultaneously manifest themselves in the struggle to protect forest resources. Finally, to bridge scholarship with practice, I propose a framework for diagnosing timber theft in common property forests that may help orient conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]