Non-timber forest products
The ecology and management of the Miombo woodlands for sustainable livelihoods in southern Africa: the case for non-timber forest productsBACKGROUNDOpen access copy available |
Management of non-timber forestry products extraction: Local institutions, ecological knowledge and market structure in South-Eastern ZimbabweBACKGROUNDSengwe communal lands, in South East Zimbabwe were used to examine how they manage non timber forest products (NTFPs) as a common pool resource in that area. The area consists of five wards, of which four are communally owned. The government has a protected area engulfed by the local communal property system; both communal and state property regimes are involved in the management of certain resources. Available with subscription or purchase |
Pest management through tropical tree conservationBackgroundDeforestation and crop monocultures in Veracruz, Mexico are leading to the disappearance of indigenous trees and the animal species that depend on them. This is particularly troubling to local agricultural workers who benefit from species like hymenopteran parasitoids that attack pest fruit flies. This research evaluates the relationship between hymenopteran parasitoids, pest fruit flies and their fruit hosts and proposes potential strategies for conservation and pest management. Open access copy available |
Biofuels: The Impact of Oil Palm on Forests and ClimateBackgroundThis publication summarizes the proceedings of a 2009 conference held Singapore titled "Biofuels: The Impact of Oil Palm on Forests and Climate". With the emergence of palm oil industry, particularly in Asia, there has been a strong debate concerning the ability of this and other biofuels to reduce greenhouse gases but also its contribution to large-scale land conversion. This conference aimed to bring together experts from various fields to discuss potential solutions or alternatives to the industry. The report summarizes the opening remarks of the conference along with four panels, each of which were based on a specific question. Open access copy available |
Restoration of Degraded Tropical Forest LandscapesBackgroundDeforestation and the declining extent of tropical forests has negatively impacted ecosystem functions, services, and goods and has disproportionately harmed the rural poor of tropical countries. In the wake of deforestation, agricultural development and traditional methods of reforestation (plantations) have largely failed to provide sustainable livelihoods. This review article assesses the strengths and weaknesses of different tropical restoration methods to combat forest degredation and address rural poverty. Open access copy available |
Secondary Forest Regeneration under Fast-Growing Forest Plantations on Degraded Imperata cylindrica GrasslandsBackgroundThis study compares the regeneration of native tree species under the canopy of tree plantations, riverine areas, and uncultivated grassland areas in the Riam Kiwa plantation area of South Kalimantan, Indonesia. This area has a distinct dry season and deeply weathered, acidic soils, and is considered good for forest plantations. Available with subscription or purchase |
Reforesting “Bare Hills” in Vietnam: Social and Environmental Consequences of the 5 Million Hectare Reforestation ProgramBackgroundLarge-scale rehabilitation and reforestation of Vietnam has been promoted by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, but unexpected outcomes have, in some cases, harmed local communities. Within this case study from northern Vietnam, lands classified as "barren hills" actually contained a number of economically-important nontimber products which local communities and individuals, particularly poor households and women, were reliant on. These nontimber products included fuelwood, medicines, construction material, food, and pasture. Available with subscription or purchase |
Contribution of Non-Timber Forest Products to Cash and Non-Cash Income of Remote Forest Communities in Central AfricaBackgroundThe authors investigate the contribution of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) to local community incomes within jointly-managed forest landscapes in Central Africa. Research Goals & MethodsData were collected from Bantu and indigenous persons' (IP) households using the Poverty-Forests Linkages Toolkit method. Available with subscription or purchase |
Preliminary Studies on Imbrasia oyemensis, A valuable Non-Wood Forest Product in CameroonBackgroundIn many countries throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America, insects significantly contribute to food security. One widely eaten insect in Cameroon is the Imbrasia oyemensis, an edible caterpillar. The caterpillar primarily feeds on the locally known Sapele tree, which is also exploited for timbr production. In order to understand more about the potential competitive nature between logginf and harvesting I. oyemensis, this study aims to examine some of the unknown factors of the moth species that contribute to its survival. Open access copy available |
National Forest Policy of MalawiBackgroundIn Malawi, there has been extensive forest degradation, estimated at an annual loss of 2.8%. The degradation is caused by a variety of factors, including agriculture expansion, human settlement, fire use, timber and non-timber over extraction. The 2016 Forest Policy of Malawi outlines a policy-approach to stop and revert these trends. Open access copy available |
