Study sets value of Cambodia’s forest ecosystem

Cambodia faces “significant” economic losses if illegal rainforest logging continues in national parks along the country’s borders, according to a study by the Australian National University in Canberra.

It estimates that forests in Veun Sai-Siem Pang National Park contribute around $165 million annually to the national economy in environmental services. These include reducing air pollution ($66m), water storage ($41m) and preventing soil erosion ($28m).

Announcing details, ANU anthropologist Abu Kibria said the 55,000-hectare forest on the Cambodian border of Laos and Vietnam has been a target area for illegal logging driven primarily by operators in China and Vietnam.