Mahogany as a catalytic species. Logging of American (bigleaf ) mahogany (Swietenia spp.) initiates a series of events that leads to degradation and later destruction of tropical forests in the New World. It also is a spear-point for penetration of indigenous areas by loggers, who inflict both social and environmental impacts on the tribes. Mahogany populations are declining and are not being replenished by natural regener-ation; the situation of the species continues to worsen in the field.