Choice Structuring Properties of Natural Resource Theft: An Examination of Redwood Burl Poaching

ABSTRACT

Coast redwoods are the tallest living tree species and one of the longest-living organisms on Earth, with lifespans that can extend 2,500 years. Burl poaching from a living tree leaves a wound, making it susceptible to insects, disease, and even death. A spate of burl poaching incidents have riddled the Redwood National and State Parks (Northern California) in recent years. This paper uses the concept of choice structuring properties to understand in depth how offenders commit these crimes, and what factors influence their decision-making process at the micro-level. Results show that offenders target burls low to the ground and in areas close to roads, illicit markets, and in areas with higher elevation relative to roads. A number of initiatives directed to prevent this crime are discussed.

Disclosure statement

The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests. This manuscript has not been published elsewhere and that it has not been submitted simultaneously for publication elsewhere.

Notes

¹ The scientific name of this species is Sequoia Sempervirens, which can be translated as “sequoia that lives forever”.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nerea Marteache

Nerea Marteache is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, and the Assistant Director of the Center for Criminal Justice Research at California State University San Bernardino. Her research interests and scholarship focus on crime prevention through opportunity reduction, and on the analysis and evaluation of criminal justice policy. She is currently working on projects on employee theft, crime in transportation systems, and wildlife crime.

Stephen F. Pires

Stephen F. Pires is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice at Florida International University. He is an expert on the illegal wildlife trade with a particular focus on commonly poached species (i.e., hot products), illicit markets, and the organization of the illegal trade, and has co-authored the book, “Wildlife Crime: An Environmental Criminology and Crime Science Perspective” (2018).