Impacts of forest illegal logging

What are the impacts of illegal logging?

Illegal logging has a devastating effect on biodiversity because this type of  activity often deliberately targets high-conservation value forests (HCVF), including protected areas. HCVF contain highly valuable species that in some instances have been overexploited elsewhere.

Here are some of the major consequences of illegal logging:

Loss of habitat for species, and of environmental services (e.g. erosion control)	Loss of sources of income for people depending directly on forests	Loss of significant revenues for governments

Other impacts

• Promotion of corruption and deterioration of the rule of law
• Revenues that may be used to support conflict between countries or rival groups or parties
• Unfair competition for legal loggers by undercutting market prices