Effects of harvest intensity on the marketable organ yield,growth and reproduction of non-timber forest products(NTFPs):implication for conservation and sustainable utilization of NTFPs

Background:Non-timber forest products(NTFPs)are an important part of forest biodiversity,and the subsistence and trade of local people,especially in less developed countries.Because of the high ecological and economic value,NTFPs have faced the problem of over-exploitation,and the key to solve this problem is to determine the feasible way of sustainable utilization of NTFPs.Harvest intensity is one of the most important and easily controlled utilization factors,which can greatly influence the plant individual survival,growth and reproductive performances,and even the population structure and dynamics.Therefore,we chose two common and important NTFPs species with different marketable parts(i.e.,Acanthopanax senticosus with tender leaves and Aralia elata with tender buds)as our study objects.Aiming to determine the optimum harvest intensity for sustainably utilizing both NTFPs species,five levels of harvest intensity treatments(i.e.,control,light,medium,high and severe)were designed to assess the effects of harvest intensity on their marketable organ yield,plant growth and reproductive performances.Results:The biomass growth rates of marketable organ and plant growth of A.senticosus under light harvest intensity treatment were significantly higher than those under other harvest intensities.The plant height growth and 1000-seed weight of A.elata under severe harvest intensity treatment were significantly lower than those under control treatment.Conclusions:The light harvest intensity with 25% leaf removal and the high harvest intensity with all terminal buds harvested are the optimum harvest intensity to maintain the sustainable utilization of A.senticosus and A.elata,respectively.These findings could provide managers with basic but practical guidance for making decisions about the sustainable harvest management plan for the cultivated NTFPs species,and further provide a theoretical basis for managers to establish the harvest regulations for wild NTFPs species.Consequently,the local residents or communities can improve their income while ensure the sustainable development of wild NTFPs.

Evaluating the Potential Contribution of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to Smallholder Farmers in Semi-arid and Arid Regions: A case of Chivi, Zimbabwe

Food insecurity in most dry regions in Zimbabwe has taught many people a lesson of using non timber forest products(NTFPs)to reduce food insecurity and improve livelihoods as well as poverty alleviation.The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential contribution of non-timber forest products to smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions.The research was carried out as a survey and data was collected using interviews,questionnaires and focus group discussion.Data was analysed for descriptive statistics using IBM SPSS version 25.Results indicated that 64%were females and 36%were males with the majority of participants being married(57.6%)with only 8.8%being widowed.Results show that all respondents(100%)indicated that they obtain fruits from the forests as a major source of food during winter and rain season.Vegetables(84.2%),thatching grass(80.8%)and edible worms(62.5%)were also major non-timber forest products obtained from the forests by participants.All participants(100%)indicated that income generation,firewood and source of heat for brick moulding were major benefits they obtain from forest with vegetables(74.2%),brooms(91.7%)and improved nutrition(85.0%)being regarded as other important benefits enjoyed by local people from forests.Afforestation and reforestation were regarded as major sustainable forest management practices by all(100%)participants with agroforestry being indicated by only 12.5%since people had no knowledge about it.NTFPs has capacity of improving food security,human livelihoods and alleviate poverty.People are encouraged to harvest NTFPs sustainably to allow future use.Use of agroforestry can be a best way for managing forests sustainably,improve food security,crop yield,poverty alleviation and climate change mitigation.

Diversity of non-timber forest products in Cachar District, Assam, India

We identified 67 and 21 NTFP-yielding plant and animal species, respectively, in a reserve forest in Cachar district of Assam. We recorded globally threatened species listed by IUCN as Critically Endangered （plant species Dipterocarpus turbinatus）, Vulnerable （plant species Aquillaria malaccensis）, Endangered （animal species Hoolock hoolock, Indotestudo elongata and Manis pentadactyla）, and Vulnerable （animal species Nilssonia hurum and Rusa unicolor）. The whole plant or animal and/or their various parts were used as food or medicine, in house construction, magico-religious activities and others. While some NTFPs were harvested throughout the year, others were harvested seasonally. A comprehensive NTFP policy, along with scientific measures for regen- eration, restoration and augmentation of NTFP-yielding plants and animals, would help in addressing the conflicting demands of conservation and livelihood in the forests of this area.

Population distribution and threats to sustainable management of selected non-timber forest products in tropical lowland rainforests of south western Nigeria

Uncontrolled harvesting of non-timber forest products （NTFPs） poses a serious risk of extermination to several of these species in Nigeria. Yet, there is a paucity of information on the distribution, population status and sustainable management of NTFPs in most of the tropical lowland rainforests. We, therefore, assessed the population, distribution and threats to sustainable management of NTFPs within the tropical lowland rainforests of Omo and Shasha Forest Reserves, south western Nigeria. Data were obtained through inventory surveys on five top priority species including： bush mango （Irvingia gabonensis （Aubry-Lecomte ex O’Rorke） Baill）, African walnut （Tetracarpidium conophorum （Mull. Arg.） Hutch. ＆ Dalziel syn. Plukenetia conophora）, chew-stick （Massularia acuminata （G. Don） Bullock）, fever bark （Annickia chlorantha Setten ＆ P.J.Maas syn. Enantia chloranta） and bush pepper （Piper guineense Schumach. ＆ Thonn.）. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used for the inventory. Each forest reserve was stratified into three, viz： less disturbed natural forest （for areas that have been rested for at least ten years）, recently disturbed natural forest （for areas that have suffered one form of human perturbation or the other in the last five years）, and plantation forest （for areas carrying forest plantation）. Data were collected from eighteen 10 m × 500 m belt transects located in the above strata. The species were generally fewer in both plantation and recently disturbed natural forest than the less disturbed natural forest, suggesting that forest disturbances （habitat modification） for other uses may have an effect on the occurrence and densities of the NTFPs. Exceptions to this trend were found for P. guineense and T. conophorum, which were fairly common in both plantation and recently disturbed natural forest. Among three tree NTFP species （i.e. I. gabonensis, M. acuminata and A. chlorantha）, only I. gabonensis showed a significant difference in overall DBH size classes for both reserves （t=？2.404; df =21; p=0.026）. Three tree NTFP species in both reserves further showed differences from the regular patterns of distribution of trees. The fairly regular reverse J-shaped size class distribution observed for M. acuminata in the study sites, however, suggests a recuperating population. In general, destructive harvesting of species, logging operations, low population size, narrow distribution ranges and habitat degradation are the major threats to the population of NTFPs in the study area. The implications of our findings for sustainable management of NTFPs in the study area are discussed and recommendations are made for a feasible approach towards enhancing the status of the species.

Contribution of non-timber forest products to the livelihoods of the forest-dependent communities around the Khadimnagar National Park in northeastern Bangladesh

Non-timber forest products(NTFPs)play a significant role in the improvement of the forest-dependent people’s livelihoodsaround the world,strengthening protection for the sustainable use of forests.The purpose of this research was to evaluate the influence of occupational category-wise(fuelwood collectors,farmers,small-scale businessmen,day labourers,and tea estate labourers)dependencyon NTFPsand the role of NTFPs on household income around the Khadimnagar National Park(KNP)in northeastern Bangladesh.In 2014,178purposively selected respondents from four villages(out of 22 villagesaround the KNP)were interviewed face-to-face using a semi-structured questionnaire.The study observed that these forest-dependent communities utilized resources of the KNP mainly for domestic energy supply,household income,and house construction.Results showed that income from NTFPs made a significant contribution to family income.Income data analysis indicated that small-scale businessmen earned relatively more income from NTFPs,followed by tea estate labourersand day labourers.The study revealed significant negative relationships of the distance of households from the forest with the amount of NTFPs collected(P<0.01)and monthly income from NTFPs(P<0.01).Positive significant relationships were found between the amount of NTFPs collected and the time spent in NTFP collection(P<0.001),as well as betweenmonthly income from NTFPs and family size(P<0.001).The fuelwood collectors and farmers collected significantly greater amounts of NTFPs per trip(P<0.001)than other occupational categories.The households that were moderately to highly dependent on NTFPs collected significantly higher amounts of NTFPs pertrip(P<0.01)than the households that were moderately dependent and less dependent on NTFPs.Community dependence on KNP’sresources,community’sappreciation of the KNP’s ecosystem services for villagers’livelihoods,and community’s high levels of concern for forest conservation provided a foundation for the sustainable management of the KNP.The study findings will be useful for designing an effective forest management plan and policy for NTFP management and forest conservation with the active involvement of the forest-dependent people in northeastern Bangladesh.

Impacts of the Benefit Sharing Mechanism(BSM)Policy Implementation on Forest Protection and Sustainable Use of Non-timber Products at Bach Ma National Park

This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of the benefit sharing mechanism(BSM)pilot policy on sustainable use of non-timber forest products(NTFPs)and natural resources conservation in co-management forest of Bach Ma National Park.Evaluation methods were route and permanent plot survey,household interview,in-depth interview,village meeting,group discussion and workshop at commune level.Results showed that:(1)the BSM policy had brought favorable conditions for local people in sustainable use and development of the NTFPs,as well as minimised the threats to biodiversity in co-managed forest;(2)the harvest amounts of seven selected NTFPs after two years of the BSM policy implementation were higher than growth rate of every NTFP and the permitted harvest amounts of the benefit sharing plans(BSP);(3)although there was a risk of over-exploitation of the NTFPs,the annual yields in 2013 and 2014 were much lower,but more sustainable than that before the BSM implementation;(4)the forest protection status in the co-management areas was also better than before.Additionally,this study has also defined and recommended that in order to continue the BSM,it is necessary to ensure the sustainable exploitation of NTFPs,as well as implement more enforcement activities inside the co-management forest area.

Assessing the role of forest resources in improving rural livelihoods in West Bengal of India

Forest resources play a vital role in supporting the livelihoods of rural communities residing in forest-rich areas.In India,a forest-rich country,a significant proportion of non-timber forest products(NTFPs)is consumed locally,supporting numerous rural communities relying on forests for essential resources,such as firewood,timber,and NTFPs.This study focuses on two forest-dominant districts in West Bengal of India,namely,Jhargram District and Paschim Medinipur District.Furthermore,this study aims to enhance the understanding of forest-dependent communities by comparing the standard of living among different village classes.Thus,we categorized villages into three classes based on the distance from home to forests,including inner villages,fringe villages,and outer villages.Through focus group discussions and household surveys,we explored the sources of local economy,income sources of household,and reasons for economic diversification in different village classes.The study findings confirm that substantial variations existed in the income sources and the standard of living in these villages.Forest income varied dramatically among the three village classes,with inner villages having greater forest income than fringe villages and outer villages.Meanwhile,households in outer villages depended on forests and engaged in diverse economic activities for their livelihoods.Compared with inner and fringe villages,households in outer villages derived a significant portion of their income from livestock.This discrepancy can be attributed to challenges,such as inadequate transportation,communication,and underdeveloped market chains in inner villages.Moreover,these findings emphasize the need to develop sustainable forest management practices,create alternative income-generation opportunities,and improve infrastructure and market access in inner villages,as well as promote economic diversification in outer villages.Through targeted policy measures,these forest-rich regions can achieve improved livelihoods,enhanced standard of living,and increased resilience for their communities.

A framework for considering ecological interactions for common non-timber forest product species:a case study of mountain date palm(Phoenix loureiroi Kunth)leaf harvest in South India

Introduction:Many economically important non-timber forest products(NTFPs)come from widespread and common plant species.Harvest of these species often is assumed to be sustainable due to their commonness.However,because of the ecological roles of common species,harvest may affect and be affected by ecological interactions at broader scales,which are rarely considered when evaluating the sustainability of harvest.We use a case study of the mountain date palm(Phoenix loureiroi Kunth),harvested in South India to produce brooms,to present a conceptual framework illustrating how intensive harvest of a common species interacts with other anthropogenic management practices,plant-animal interactions and surrounding environmental conditions.Methods:We apply this framework to understanding the impacts of mountain date palm harvest in the southern Western Ghats regions of the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.We integrate data on the extent and levels of commercial harvest,local management practices,the ecological context in which harvest occurs,and research on harvest effects.We use this information to document the intensity and extent of mountain date palm harvest in the study area,identify the ecological implications of harvest,and demonstrate how a framework that considers harvest in the context of ecological communities and ecosystems is important for assessing the impacts of harvest of common NTFP species.Results:We show that mountain date palm leaves are heavily harvested from natural areas in the southern Western Ghats but that harvest levels have declined in recent years.Mountain date palm management and harvest occur within a network of ecological interactions,linking human activities to population-,community-,and ecosystem-level processes.We demonstrate that understanding the effects of return interval of anthropogenic fire,herbivory by wild animals and livestock,as well as the light environment in which harvest occurs are critical to assessing the sustainability of mountain date palm harvest.Conclusions:By considering mountain date palm leaf harvest in the context of ecological interactions at multiple scales,our findings show that sustainability cannot be assessed only from a population-level perspective.This general framework highlights the need to incorporate ecosystem-and community-level properties and processes more frequently into assessments of the sustainability of NTFP harvest—especially for widespread and common species—to ensure that their important economic and ecological roles are maintained.

Estimation of Economic Value of Agroforestry Systems at the Local Scale in Eastern Sudan

The objective of this paper is to institute farmers’ own perceptions of the on-and off-farm benefits of agroforestry systems (AFS). Using use value approach, this paper presents empirical evidence on the use values of three types of AFS practiced by the refugees and their hosting communities in Eastern Sudan. The total economic value (TEV) was applied as a framework to estimate the ecosystem values of AFS under study. Goods values were estimated using specific market values, while the services values were qualitatively described according to local perceived values of the local communities. Perceived TEV of AFS includes marketable and non-marketable goods and services. The main direct marketable and sustainable high value products include: food, cash crops, firewood, gum, fodder, NTFPs medicine, fodder, and honey. The valuation results reveal that AFS in the project sites have significantly contributed to the livelihoods of the local communities. Overall, the average net direct-use value of marketable products across all sites was estimated at 7,346,000.0 SDG (1,335,636.36 US$) HH/annum. Gum Arabic alone accounted for 38%, followed by sorghum grain and fodder 35%, and cash crops (sesame) 18%. This value would be many time higher if other indirect values (non-marketable) services such as shade, aesthetic and recreation, environmental protection, biodiversity and carbon sequestration are quantified. The goods and services mentioned above provide sustainable income to the farmer directly and viable benefits to the region indirectly. Hence, AFS in the study sites shows the way to reconcile two conflicting goals: short-term food and livelihood needs with long-term environmental conservation and improvement. The study provides evidence that the high local perceived values of AFS in the study sites constitute a central means of livelihood, whereas its contribution to the local economy. The study stresses the need to quantify the monetary values of non-marketed products to consistently account for resource availability and usage to further sound policy decisions. Tenure security, farmer support services and human capital development were major areas identified for policy development.

山区农户林业相关生计活动类型及影响因素

农户如何利用森林资源、发展林业情况是实现森林丰富地区农户生计改善和森林资源保护的关键。本文通过对西安周至县南部4个山区乡镇20个行政村1 074个农户的问卷调查,发现当地存在着4种与林业相关的生计活动类型,即:林业专业化、林业补充型、林业依赖型和生计多样化,该4种类型的农户在家庭人口数、初中以上受教育程度的人数、非农收入、户纯收入、贫困发生率等方面存在着显著差异。同时,被调查农户发展生计多样化出现了收入的两极分化,林业专业化农户的收入水平和消费状况总体上要好于生计多样化型农户。采用Multinomial Logit模型对农户林业相关生计活动类型选择的影响因素的分析发现,家庭劳动力数量、女性比例、是否参与退耕、土地林地面积、家庭社会网络等对农户选择不同的林业生计类型有着显著影响。基于实证研究的结果,本文认为应提高农户的人力资本、培育农村社区组织、提高其治理能力等。

家庭劳动力配置异质性农户非木质林产品经营行为选择——来自陕西省和四川省1131户的调查

【目的】分析家庭劳动力配置差异对农户非木质林产品(NTFP)经营行为选择的影响,为巩固国家林业重点生态工程成果、实现林业可持续发展、缓解生态林业与民生林业之间的矛盾提供决策依据。【方法】在考虑农户家庭成员内部劳动力分工相互依赖的基础上,根据劳动力配置状况将农户划分为5种类型,并利用陕西省和四川省农户实地调查数据,分析不同类型农户NTFP的经营方式和技术类型及其各自的影响因素。【结果】劳动力配置差异农户在NTFP的经营方式和技术类型选择上存在显著差异;林地收入占比对各类农户种植经济林和发展林下经济影响显著,财政补贴对农户发展林下经济影响显著;林地质量和林地距公路的距离对各类农户的技术类型选择影响显著,农业劳动力规模、信贷支持和财政补贴对兼业型农户技术类型选择影响显著。【结论】劳动力配置不同导致农户NTFP经营行为存在差异;经济效益是农户选择经营NTFP的直接动因,财政补贴对农户发展林下经济具有显著促进作用;林地禀赋是各类农户经营劳动密集型NTFP的基础,农业劳动力规模和政策支持对兼业型农户经营劳动密集型NTFP具有重要影响。

非木材林产品的民族植物学研究进展

非木材林产品(NTFPs)是指从森林植被中采集的药材、食物(如野菜、野果等)、树脂树胶、纤维或其他非木材类产品,它们不仅为当地群众提供了食物、药材等日常生活必需品,而且也是许多地区原住民的重要经济收入来源。在收集整理相关国内外研究资料的基础上,从非木材林产品的集市民族植物学、非木材林产品的经济价值和对原住民经济收入的贡献、影响非木材林产品采集和利用的因素、非木材林产品采集对当地生物多样性的影响、原住民对非木材林产品的传统管理与保护等方面对近年来有关非木材林产品的民族植物学研究进展进行了综合评述,并对非木材林产品的民族植物学重点研究内容和方向提出了一些建议。

金平周期性集市野生食用植物资源的民族植物学

非木材林产品的采集和利用,既关系到当地群众生活状况,也与当地生物多样性保护和可持续发展密切相关。运用关键人物访谈和参与式观察等民族植物学研究方法对金平苗族瑶族傣族自治县境内的6个主要周期性集市中一类重要的非木材林产品——野生食用植物资源进行了系统调查。结果显示:研究地区集市中常见野生食用植物35种,分属于27科,其中苏木科(8.57%)和桑科(8.57%)等植物比例较大;主要包括野生蔬菜(82.85%)、野生水果(14.29%)和野生食用染料(2.86%);蔬菜以乔木的幼嫩枝叶(34.29%)和草本植物的地上部分(25.71%)为主;表现出种类与周边地区高度的相似性、使用部位和用途类型具有明显的季节性、单位摊位种类数量和市场价格较低等特点。女性在野生食用植物的采集与销售过程中占有极其重要的地位。市场的地理位置对当地群众的野生食用植物资源利用强度有一定的影响,不同民族对野生食用植物的利用强度也表现出一定的差异。野生食用植物在当地群众的经济收入中占有比较小的地位。从目前研究地区对野生食用植物的利用情况看,采集和销售野生食用植物资源并未对当地生物多样性产生巨大影响。

国际森林认证与我国野生森林产品开发

世界森林认证发展迅速。目前认证体系可以分为全球、地区和国家三个层次。我国政府森林认证立法起步较晚,挑战和机遇并存。森林认证包括林场管理、产销供应链和非森林木材产品认证,其中后者对我国森林认证具有深远的意义。结合世界森林认证体系发展历程和我国具体国情,对我国开发非木材林产品提出了建议。

森林认证与中国农村及环境的可持续发展(英文)

中国的山区面积占陆地面积的2/3,农村64%的人口居住在山区。非木质林产品的生产与农村(山区)的发展及基于林分的生态环境紧密相关。森林可持续经营认证是基于市场机制的促进森林可持续经营的工具,森林认证工作的开展在国际上已越来越多地引起人们对环境友好型及社会效益良好的林产品的认同。经营良好的林分往往能在经济、环境和社会方面达到标准,而这些标准可以确保林分的可持续经营。森林认证(含非木质林产品认证)就是按照这样的标准来进行操作的。从森林认证中的环境和社会影响评价及环境可持续发展的角度,就非木质林产品生产、农村发展与环境的可持续发展进行了论述,认为我国在森林认证尤其是在林分生物多样性的维持与恢复,森林认证相关知识的普及,社会影响评价与环境影响评价方面存在较多问题,任重而道远。

金平县林产业发展探讨

金平县2007年林业产值为1.91亿元,占全县农业总产值的35%,是林业重点县.该县具有发展林产业的优势项目,包括橡胶种植业、竹藤产业、木本油料(油茶)业、核桃特色经济林产业、杉木珍贵用材林产业以及草果林下资源开发等.分析了林产业发展的有利和不利因素.进行了产业发展规划和布局.提出加快集体林权制度改革、加大资金投入、加强科技支撑、扶持龙头企业、组建专业合作组织等保障措施.

基于近红外光谱技术的果树花期树种识别方法

为建立果树花期树种识别的有效模型,利用ASD Field Spec 3全波段便携式光谱分析仪采集了4种果树花期花的光谱数据。利用剔除异常光谱、5点移动平滑等技术对4种果树花期花的光谱反射率进行预处理,使用连续投影算法(SPA)进行有效波长选取并获得7个波长下的反射光谱,同时增加了590 nm和720 nm处2个波形差异大的光谱,与归一化植被指数(INDV)和比值植被指数(IRV)共11个特征波段作为分类建模数据,建立了偏最小二乘判别分析(PLS-DA),正交偏最小二乘判别分析(O-PL-DA)和基于误差反向传播算法的多层前向神经网络(BP)算法3种识别模型。结果表明:对测试样本的识别率由高到低依次为BP(93.90%)>O-PLS-DA(81.82%)>PLS-DA(76.36%)。综合研究认为:在优选波段的基础上,对果树花期树种判别应优选BP神经网络模型。

金平县马鞍底乡林副产品资源及利用探析

运用社区林业的调查方法对云南金平县马鞍底乡林副产品资源的种类及利用进行调查与分析,旨在揭示当地社区经济发展与林副产品利用的关系,从而为促进当地社区村民经济发展与资源保护并存提供建议和意见.

干旱胁迫和复水下不同薄壳山核桃品种的生长和光合特性

为研究干旱胁迫和复水下不同薄壳山核桃Carya illinoinensis品种水分状态和光合特性变化规律,以‘波尼’‘Pawnee’‘马罕’‘Mahan’‘斯图尔特’‘Stuart’‘莫汉克’‘Mohawk’‘金华’‘Jinhua’‘绍兴’‘Shaoxing’‘钟山25号’‘Zhongshan 25’为材料,测定光合参数、叶绿素质量分数、水分利用效率(EWU)等指标。结果表明:干旱胁迫抑制了不同薄壳山核桃品种株高、地径生长及生物量积累,一定程度上提高根冠比。随着干旱胁迫程度的加深,所有植株的净光合速率(Pn),气孔导度(Gs),蒸腾速率(Tr),叶片相对含水量(CRW)和叶绿素质量分数逐渐降低;水分利用效率逐渐升高,且在第17天时达到最高值。复水3 d后,不同品种薄壳山核桃各项指标均有不同程度的恢复,‘波尼’和‘马罕’恢复速率最快,其净光合速率分别恢复了76.1%和69.4%;复水8 d后,所有植株的各项指标基本恢复至或接近对照水平。不同薄壳山核桃品种耐旱性表现为‘马罕’>‘波尼’>‘绍兴’>‘钟山25号’>‘金华’>‘斯图尔特’>‘莫汉克’。