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Commercial use of wildlife is booming. However, knowledge of trade, price structure and benefit distribution mechanisms remain limited for many endemic, threatened and economically valuable species, impeding efforts to develop conservation intervention schemes in line with sustainable objectives. We illustrate the nature of commercialization of the caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis, collected in a high-altitude Tibetan region. Using the value-chain approach, we document how caterpillar fungus is collected in a remote mountainous region and traded across a wide range of middlemen until it finally reaches high-end markets in urban centres. Mapping the caterpillar fungus value chain helps identify the actors involved and the social institutions (i.e. the rules, norms and arrangements that shape people's behaviours) facilitating access to markets and influencing profit distribution and price structure. We present the complex dynamics of this commercialization process, providing a holistic value-chain analysis that encompasses actors, profits and institutions.

Commercial use of wildlife is booming. However, knowledge of trade, price structure and benefit distribution mechanisms remain limited for many endemic, threatened and economically valuable species, impeding efforts to develop conservation intervention schemes in line with sustainable objectives. We illustrate the nature of commercialization of the caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis , collected in a high-altitude Tibetan region. Using the value-chain approach, we document how caterpillar fungus is collected in a remote mountainous region and traded across a wide range of middlemen until it finally reaches high-end markets in urban centres. Mapping the caterpillar fungus value chain helps identify the actors involved and the social institutions (i.e. the rules, norms and arrangements that shape people's behaviours) facilitating access to markets and influencing profit distribution and price structure. We present the complex dynamics of this commercialization process, providing a holistic value-chain analysis that encompasses actors, profits and institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-timber forest product (NTFP) contributes to the livelihoods of about 2 billion people worldwide, and are among the most valuable plant resources for current and future food security. However, their exploitation is becoming problematic due to their increasing scarcity and the rudimentary and arduous working conditions for rural populations whose incomes are inextricably linked. The aim of this study was to analyze the working conditions of NTFP harvesters in Eastern Cameroon, in order to detect bottlenecks and ultimately to propose ways of improvement. The methodological approach consisted of semi-structured surveys of 180 households belonging to two ethnic groups, including Baka and Bantou. This was done in three villages around Boumba Bek and Nki national parks (BBNNP). Surveys focused on working conditions related to five important NTFPs, namely Irvingia gabonensis, Ricinodendron heudelotii, Monodora myristica, Afrostyrax lepidophyllus and Afromomum melegueta. Distance walking from villages to gathering sites, working time and drudgery perception were studied comparatively for these two ethnic groups. Results show that the most active age group in NTFP gathering is between 30 and 45 for Bantou and Baka. Baka travel longer distances in forests, reaching records of over 23 km to gather NTFP. R. heudelotii is the most time-consuming species gathered. I. Gabonensis and A. lepidophyllus also require significant working time. Overall, the two ethnic groups have almost similar drudgery perceptions involved in all NTFP gathering activities. A. lepidophyllus and R. heudelotii showed the highest drudgery scores compared with other NTFPs. The domestication of priority NTFP species and the provision of shelling machines would improve the working conditions of local populations.

In the present study, utilization of Sal (Shorea robusta) deoiled seed cake (DOC), a forest industrial biomass residue as substrate for solid-state fermentation (SSF) was attempted for the microbial growth and production of industrially useful enzyme: tannase. Work was carried out to find the optimal conditions of SSF using Sal DOC as substrate for tannase production by exploiting the laboratory isolated Aspergillus flavus. Following optimization, further studies were undertaken to (a) scale up the SSF process for tannase production, (b) enzyme characterization, and (c) partial purification of tannase. Salt solution of pH 5.0 as moistening agent; substrate to moistening agent ratio of 1:1 (w/v); inoculums size, 107 spores/ml; inoculum age, 72 h; incubation temperature, 28 °C; and incubation time, 72 h, were found to be the best fermentation conditions. The supplementation of additional carbon and nitrogen sources did not stimulate the tannase production, indicating the presence of sufficient nutrients in Sal DOC. A maximum of 599 U/gds of enzyme production was reached under optimized conditions which could further be enhanced to 661U/gds (1.10-folds) under upscale SSF. The enzymatic properties of tannase revealed pH and temperature optima to be 5.5 and 60 °C, respectively. Partially purified tannase could successfully be applied for the enzymatic hydrolysis of Terminalia chebula (myrobalan) tannins for gallic acid production. These results show a sustainable approach for the utilization of this abundantly available Sal DOC biomass through solid-state fermentation for the production of an industrial and costly enzyme, tannase. The produced tannase has potential in the synthesis of gallic acid and may find suitable application in food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are known to provide livelihoods for forest-based communities across the world. While ensuring the sustainability of NTFP harvests is a key challenge, optimizing the production of NTFPs through appropriate silvicultural practices is also critical for forest-based economies. In Central India, the suitability of fire or pruning practices for enhancing the production of leaves of the tendu tree (Diospyros melanoxylon) has been much debated. While villagers commonly adopt annual litter fires, the state Forest Department urges leaf collectors to adopt the more labor-intensive practice of pruning. On the other hand, conservationists recommend completely hands-off management (no fire or pruning). In this study, we compared leaf production from the competing practices of litter fire, pruning, pruning-with-fire, and hands-off management, that are experimented with in community-managed forests. We checked for confounding factors such as tree canopy cover, presence of tendu trees, and inherent differences in forest type. We conducted the study during the pre-harvest season from March to May 2020 in villages in the northern Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, India. We found that pruning and pruning-with-fire lead to higher root sprout production and, in turn, higher leaf production per unit area when compared to litter fire and the control (no pruning or fire). Fire alone led to a negative impact on leaf production. Implementing pruning instead of litter fire, however, comes with labor costs. Its adoption is therefore linked with the institutional arrangements for tendu management and marketing that shape community perception of costs. गौण वन उत्पादने जगभरातील वन-आधारित समुदायांसाठी उपजीविका म्हणून महत्त्वाची आहेत. त्यांच्या शाश्वत उपलब्धतेसाठी तसेच त्यांच्यावर अवलंबून आजीविकांच्या दृष्टीने वन उपजाच्या नियोजन पद्धतींचा वनवृक्षशास्त्राच्या दृष्टीने अभ्यास होणे गरजेचे आहे. मध्य भारतातील वन-आधारित समुदाय अनेक वर्ष तेंदू वृक्षाच्या पानांना (म्हणजे बिडी-पत्त्याला) निरनिराळ्या पद्धतीने संकलित करीत आहेत व त्याकरिता निरनिराळ्या पद्धतीने नियोजन करीत आहेत. झाडाची झुडपी वाढ करून, पाने हाता जवळ वाढवणे हा त्यातील मुख्य उद्देश आहे. यामध्ये झाडाच्या रोपांची मुळाशी छाटणी करणे (खुट/बेल कटाई) किंवा, जंगलातील पाचोळा पेटवणे, किंवा या दोन्ही पद्धती एकत्रित वापरणे ('छाटणी-व-आग') अशा पद्धतींचा समावेश आहे. अलीकडे काही लोक तेंदू संवर्धनासाठी झाडाची विना-नियोजन वाढ होऊ देतात (म्हणजे विना आग आणि विना खुट कटाईने). यातील कोणत्या पद्धतीने प्रती हेक्टरी सर्वात जास्त तेंदू पाने तयार होतात याचा अभ्यास आम्ही केला. यासाठी आम्ही उत्तर गडचिरोली, महाराष्ट्र येथील काही गावांच्या सामुहिक वन क्षेत्रात मार्च ते मे २०२० मध्ये वेगवेगळ्या नियोजन पद्धतीमध्ये होणाऱ्या तेंदूपत्ता उत्पन्नाचा पद्धतशीर अभ्यास केला. एकूण आम्हाला असे दिसले की, आग वापरण्यापेक्षा तेंदूच्या रोपांची मुळाशी केलेली छाटणी व 'छाटणी-व-आग' या पद्धती अधिक पानांचे उत्पन्न देतात. आम्ही पाहिले की स्थानिक जंगल प्रकार, त्याची दाटी, व तेंदू वृक्षाची निकटता या निकषांमुळे पानांच्या उत्पन्नात नियोजन पद्धतीपेक्षा जास्त परिणाम होत नाही. परंतु यातील कोणतीही पद्धत वापरताना व वन-आधारित उपजीविका सांभाळत, तसेच सामुहिक वन नियोजन करताना काही व्यावहारिक अडचणी आहेत. त्यांचावरही आम्ही या अभ्यासात विचार केला आहे. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the difficulties present in the swine production system to achieve sustainable productivity based on the comparative advantages and potential of the territory of the department of Caquetá, located in the natural region of the Colombian, the aim of the study was to analyze the socioeconomic factors that may influence the use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in live-stock feed. For this purpose, the study was carried out with a descriptive-transversal methodology with a non-experimental design and quantitative approach, where the survey was applied to 44 swine production units through a non-probabilistic method. The data were systematized using R software; a principal component analysis was performed and the degrees of relationship of socio-economic factors with the use of NTFPs in animal feed. It was concluded that despite being in a biodiverse territory, social factors related to the level of knowledge about NTFPs and economic factors linked to sources of financing are directly proportional to the degree of NTFP use in swine production in the department of Caquetá. Although NTFPs are found in most production systems in the region, they are not used for animal feed.

Local forests and fruit trees in sub-Saharan Africa play an important role to improve food and nutrition security, health and incomes generation. The support and the economic value of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) from tropical forests in people life has been widely investigated but several tree species' uses and contribution to households' well-being are yet to deepen. Balanites aegyptiaca is a native multipurpose tree whose several parts/organs are widely used in diversified domains. To date, the permanent gap related to B. aegyptiaca is to link the species use diversity and its economical contribution with local climate conditions, and the assessment of endogenous strategies to promote its resource conservation. This study aimed to highlight the contribution of B. aegyptiaca NTFPs in the local economy and local strategies to promote its products for endogenous conservation practices. Hence, socio-economic surveys were conducted in 120 households, five markets and nine associations across two climatic zones. Use values, use domains, economic value and local strategies for the species conservation were assessed. Results showed the used organs, and the used intensity varies significantly across climatic zones (p = 0.03). Local manufactured products are mostly from leaves and fruit. Informants reported widely almonds processing (78%). The species NTFPs are more commercialized in the Sudano-Sahelian zone (85%) compared to the Sahelian zone (15%). Average value per tree was estimated at 154 ± 28 FCFA (0.27 USD) per season in the Sahelian zone and 426 ± 19 FCFA or (0.74 USD) in the Sudano-Sahelian zone based only on fruit collection. Given its importance in local people life, endogenous strategies are adopted to safeguard the resource and for sustainably the species products. The multipurpose uses of B. aegyptiaca reported, the NTFPs financial benefits and the high resilience of the species show a great necessity to promote its domestication and in-situ conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the difficulties present in the swine production system to achieve sustainable productivity based on the comparative advantages and potential of the territory of the department of Caquetá, located in the natural region of the Colombian, the aim of the study was to analyze the socioeconomic factors that may influence the use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in livestock feed. For this purpose, the study was carried out with a descriptive-transversal methodology with a non-experimental design and quantitative approach, where the survey was applied to 44 swine production units through a non-probabilistic method. The data were systematized using R software; a principal component analysis was performed and the degrees of relationship of socioeconomic factors with the use of NTFPs in animal feed. It was concluded that despite being in a biodiverse territory, social factors related to the level of knowledge about NTFPs and economic factors linked to sources of financing are directly proportional to the degree of NTFP use in swine production in the department of Caquetá. Although NTFPs are found in most production systems in the region, they are not used for animal feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant species providing Non‐Timber Forest Products (NTFP) are economically important across Africa. How this heterogeneous and understudied resource will respond to ongoing climate change remains understudied. Here, we modelled the impact of end‐of‐the‐century climate change on the distribution of 40 NTFP plant species distributed across tropical Africa. Occurrence data were extracted from a taxonomically verified database and three different ecological niche modelling algorithms were used. Species distributions were modelled under two end‐of‐century (2085) climate change models (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) and two dispersal scenarios (limited and expanded). We show that for the 40 NTFP plant species studied here, different responses are modelled with some species gaining in suitable habitats (47.5%–65% under RCP4.5), whereas others will lose in suitable habitats (35%–52.5% under RCP4.5). Nevertheless, we also show that our results vary between the different methods used, such as modelling algorithms, dispersal scenarios and general circulation models. Overall, our results suggest that the response of NTFP species to climate change depends on their distribution, ecology and dispersal ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable utilization of wild edible plants is significant for supplementation of food resources, bioresource management and uplifting the economy of the stakeholders. Native people in Manipur, North East India are collecting and using various wild edible plants. Traditional supply chain in the state has undergone a drastic change in the recent past giving way to modern system creating a complex scenario. The present paper aimed to highlight the commonly marketed wild edible plants in Manipur and to map the existing value chains of wild edible plants in order to find an improved system that would enhance the collector’s livelihood means. The paper also analyzed the existing scenario of the market trends of wild edible plants which is complex of traditional and emerging modern system. Key issues and major interventions suggested for value chains in wild edible plants in Manipur are also suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A New Global Estimation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Species in Commercial Cultivation and Their Conservation Status. Historically, the majority of medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) species has been harvested in the wild. In recent decades, there has been concern that certain species appear to face threats due to overexploitation related to increasing global demand coupled with loss of habitat due to development and land use change. Earlier studies estimated that about 900 species were produced, to some extent, by cultivation. This study aims to update previous estimates by applying a systematic approach for obtaining data from a large number of different sources of information and knowledge. A broad categorization scheme for forms of cultivation is introduced. Using multiple methods of data collection, we found evidence of commercial cultivation of 3,227 taxa, belonging to 235 different plant families. The most frequently identified forms of cultivation were agroforestry, intensive farming, and controlled cultivation, followed by, to a much lesser extent, extensive farming, and natural fostering. Of the identified species, 954 have a global International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment, of which 82 species (2.5%) are threatened to some degree according to IUCN Red List categories and criteria. Of the 3,227 cultivated taxa, 1,732 (54%) have also been assessed by national red lists, of which 688 taxa are assessed as threatened in at least one country. Additionally, 109 of the 3,227 cultivated species are included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendices. The results of this research show that the number of cultivated plants is significantly higher than previously estimated. Potential consequences of threat status on the domestication of MAP species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As more attention is paid to the integral management and the problems of cattle production systems in the achievement of sustainable productivity and competitiveness in the territories of the Colombian Amazon region, it is necessary to determine the socioeconomic factors that affect the use of the potential and comparative advantages of productive units located in the region for nutritional supplementation from local inputs, such as Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP). For this purpose, a descriptive-cross-sectional scope with non-experimental design and quantitative approach study was carried out, applying the collection instrument to the sample size defined in a nonprobabilistic way in the municipalities of Albania San Vicente del Caguán, El Doncello, Puerto Rico, and Cartagena del Chaira of the department of Caquetá Colombia. Information was systematized using the R software, where the principal component analysis of the socioeconomic factors with the use of cattle nutrition in the NTFP was carried out. It was found that the factors that have the greatest impact on the use of NTFP are related to the degree of knowledge about NTFP and the strategies for the transfer of scientific knowledge as a complement to the knowledge of the producers.

Due to the increasing human impact on natural resources, we assessed the harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFP) to verify demographic changes in populations of native palm trees. Euterpe edulis is native to the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, characterized by high deforestation and fragmentation. This palm is also targeted for palm heart and fruit harvesting. The threats posed by such factors motivated this study, as they might lead to a decrease in natural populations. The viability of sustainably harvesting the species in small fragmented areas is unknown. We performed simulations for palm heart and fruit harvesting in three small populations (entitled: SH, AJ, and ES) sampled in a 1-year interval (2010–2011) to verify whether these practices were sustainable. Different harvesting scenarios were simulated: (1) no harvesting; (2) harvesting of palm heart of reproductive individuals; (3) harvesting of palm heart of large individuals (diameter at ground level > 65 mm, including reproductive or not). and (4) fruit harvesting. Each scenario was simulated at different harvesting intensities (percentage of individuals or fruits harvested). Integral projection models were used to calculate two demographic parameters, namely, population growth rate (λ) and elasticity. In the no harvesting scenario, the populations had λ > 1 (SH = 1.0655, AJ = 1.0184, and ES = 1.0862). Palm heart harvesting proved to be sustainable in both scenarios, but at a higher intensity in scenario (2) (SH = 83%, AJ = 14%, and ES = 35%) than in scenario (3) (SH = 17%, AJ = 4%, and ES = 16%). Fruit harvesting was sustainable at any intensity for all three populations. As the survival of large individuals has a high impact on λ, palm heart harvesting was in most cases sustainable only at low intensities. In contrast, as fecundity and seedling survival have a low impact on λ, fruit harvesting still proved sustainable at high intensities. Although the populations are tolerant to harvesting to some degree, it must be conducted carefully. As populations are fragile due to the current condition of reduced population size, the removal of palms at any rate can affect population persistence and generate possible cascade effects on the forest.

Tropical deforestation is considered a global priority due to its environmental, social, and economic impacts at international, national, and household levels. Conservation policies constitute one of the pathways to reverse this scenario. This paper examines the influence of forest protection measures on local communities’ livelihood decisions regarding forest clearing. It compares deforestation, access to forest resources, and households’ strategies in protected and open-access forests: the Moribane Forest Reserve (MFR) and Serra Chôa (SCH), two environmentally sensitive areas with different conservation statuses in Manica Province, central Mozambique. Socioeconomic data were collected from September 2019 to August 2020 in 149 households in MFR and 144 households in SCH. The data were cross-examined with spatial information on deforestation from 2000 to 2020. We found that conservation status impacted household strategies, leading to less income source diversification and limited commercialization of forest products. In both areas, most respondents declared unlimited access to forest resources (89.9% for MFR and 68.8% for SCH), and the remaining proportion of respondents pointed out conservation, private forest, distance, and wildlife conflict as reasons for limited access. Shifting agriculture is the unique income source for 75.2% of the families in MFR and 28.4% in SCH. Most households in SCH diversify their income by combining shifting agriculture and livestock (68.75% against 24.8% in MFR). About 97% of the sampled households in MFR cleared forest for agriculture during the period 2000–2020, while 55.6% of the households cleared the forest in SCH during the same period. In MFR, non-timber forest products are mainly for subsistence use, except honey, which is sold by 52.2% of families. In SCH, commercialization of non-timber forest products is more diverse, with 11.1% of families selling honey, bush meat (5.5%), charcoal (3.4%), medicinal plants (2%), wood (1.3%), poles (11.1%), and firewood (12.5%). We conclude that the current conservation policies have little impact on household decisions to protect the forest, but they influence income diversification, leading to more dependency on agriculture and livestock.

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is an herbaceous perennial plant native to the forests of eastern North America with a long history of use and harvest, and with a significant international market. To supply international demand, the plant is grown in the USA and Canada under artificial shade cloth. However, wild and wild-appearing ginseng roots command prices up to 100 times greater than roots cultivated in a field: $550–2200 (US$ dry kg) vs. $20–70 (US$ dry kg). Growing ginseng in a forested environment using a "wild-simulated" forest farming approach, where growers introduce ginseng into a forested environment and then let it grow with little to no intervention, allows forest farmers to access these higher prices and meet international demand. As climate change shifts growing conditions globally, there will be increasing opportunities for the forest farming of American ginseng internationally. In this study, we examined the main drivers of ginseng growth and development in a wild-simulated ginseng forest farm. We measured the range of environmental conditions and built statistical models to examine which factors were most important for ginseng vigor. We found that the amount of sunlight, even under highly shaded conditions, was the most important driver of ginseng establishment on the landscape, as well as ginseng plant size and development. Prior research indicates that additional factors including soil nutrient levels, moisture, and texture are important for the survival, growth, and development of wild and planted American ginseng, but our study did not show significant patterns of importance at this site. Our findings suggest that integrating silvicultural techniques such as forest thinning may enhance the productivity of wild-simulated ginseng operations while providing additional forest-based income with minimal impact on natural forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overexploitation is the second biggest driver of global plant extinction. Meanwhile, useful plant species are vital to livelihoods across the world, with global conservation efforts increasingly applying the concept of 'conservation-through-use.' However, successfully balancing conservation and biodiversity use remains challenging. We reviewed literature on the sustainability of wild-collected plant use across the countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia—a region of global importance for its biological and cultural richness. After applying defined search terms and a two-stage screening process, 68 articles were reviewed. The numbers which reported sustainable, unsustainable, or context-dependent outcomes were relatively even, but national differences emerged. Through narrative synthesis, we identified five key, reoccurring themes: plant biology; land tenure; knowledge, resource, and capacity; economics and market pressures; and institutional structures, policy, and legislation. Our results show the need for flexible, context-specific approaches and the importance of collaboration, with bottom-up management and conservation methods involving local communities and traditional ecological knowledge often proving most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local people in rural areas of the tropics depend on forests for a range of food resources, including protein-rich edible caterpillars, among them Imbrasia oyemensis and Cirina forda, which are important for nutrition and income. Sapelli (Entandrophragma cylindricum), the African mahogany, and Tali (Erythrophleum suaveolens) are food sources for these caterpillars; they are also among the most important timber species harvested from Congo Basin forests. This study quantified the yield of caterpillars from harvestable and precommercial sizes of trees of these two timber species to better understand the impact of logging on the availability of edible caterpillars to local people, and the implications for managing both timber and non-timber resources in industrial timber concessions. Caterpillars were collected and weighed beneath 50 Sapelli trees 23–190 cm DBH and 170 Tali trees 22–174 cm DBH on two timber concessions, from mid-August to mid-September, over two years. Caterpillars were found to descend from the trees during 5 days each year, and quantities varied between years. In both sample years, yields were significantly higher from harvestable trees larger than the minimum cutting diameter than from precommercial trees. Each harvestable Sapelli tree (≥ 80 cm DBH), yielded an average of 11.3 kg fresh weight of I. oyemensis year-1; smaller, precommercial trees yielded 5.4 kg tree−1year−1. Each harvestable Tali tree (≥ 60 cm DBH) yielded an average of 9.1 kg of C. forda year−1, as compared to 5.7 kg tree−1year−1 from precommercial trees. This means that industrial timber harvesting, which removes trees larger than the minimum cutting diameter, has a disproportionate effect on the availability of caterpillars. However, trees below the minimum cutting diameter also yield caterpillars, and may occur at higher densities. Guidelines that limit harvesting on steep slopes or near watercourses, or that call for retaining large trees as seed sources, also safeguard caterpillar yields. However, multiple resource management should consider proactive measures, which could include zoning areas near villages as sources of edible caterpillars, and protecting those trees from logging.

Local residents near forests often collect non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for a variety of reasons, including food, medicine, firewood, religious reasons, or to produce handicrafts. This study focused on NTFP collection in the Phu Sritan forest in northeastern Thailand. Interviews were conducted with 568 residents to understand which NTFPs were collected, how the NTFPs are used, and how much income is generated. We found that 96% of those surveyed visit the local forest to collect NTFPs, mushrooms were the most frequently collected item, and the average income per year from NTFPs was $19 US. Also, most interviewees were not processing the raw materials collected, meaning that a value-added process for the NTFPs in the future could result in higher income possibility. We recommend that future research should focus on individual species that are under extreme NTFP collection pressures, and that harvest amounts should be measured and documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aframomum (Zingiberaceae) is a genus of plants native to tropical Africa that are sold on African markets as spices and traditional medicine. Not all species of Aframomum are equally abundant or widespread, and no overview exists of the specific species traded or the quality of the species identifications in publications referencing the sale of Aframomum. Through a systematic literature review, we show that 14 species of Aframomum are sold in 15 African countries. The majority of the studies were done in Nigeria and Cameroon and A. melegueta was the most frequently reported species in trade. A. kayserianum was the only commercialized species with confirmed conservation issues. Our literature review shows extensive knowledge gaps regarding the commercialization of Aframomum in Africa. Most studies did not include herbarium vouchers, or only used market-sourced plant material, which impedes the possibilities for species verifications. Additionally, most East African countries were devoid of relevant research. These gaps can be bridged by future research in East Africa and voucher collection from living material. Information on the conservation status of traded Aframomum species can be obtained by population studies on wild resources and documenting local domestication efforts, as the cultivation of marketed species tends to relieve the pressure from wild resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Considering the plant richness of Chapada do Araripe, Brazil, the pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm) extractivism occurs as an important activity that affects the economy and social life of the main cities of Cearense Cariri, although there is little knowledge about its current situation and sustainability perspective. The aim of this work is to collect information regarding actor relationships involved in the pequi extractive activity, relating them to the sustainability dimensions. This study was carried in the Barreiro Novo camping site, located in the state highway CE 060 in the Jardim-Ce municipality. Semistructured questionnaires were used with pequi collectors to establish a socioeconomic profile, besides using the participant observation method, pictures and content analysis in order to relate and identify the sustainability in this environment. Extractivism activity in the Chapada do Araripe region is something cultural, which has a special vision towards environmental issues that generates income for extrastivist families. However, the region needs policies for improving social conditions (water and sanitation in the camping site) and keeping the tradition without missing the environmental perspective.

The communities who live around Sibolangit Tourism Park have developed nontimber forest products (NTFP) in their own agroforestry lands. This research evaluates the potential economic and development prospects from NTFP development in the Park by examining: (1) type of NTFP and economic value from community agrofrestry land, (2) contribution of NTFPs on household income, (3) development prospects of NTFP-based agroforestry around Sibolangit Tourism Park. The research was conducted in two selected villages around Sibolangit Tourism Park: Sembahe Village and Batu Mbelin Village. The research took place over a period between June and August 2016. Research data was obtained from in-depth interviews and observations. A descriptive method was used to analyze and describe facts related to the research aims. The type of NTFPs cultivated by communities at the research sites include mangosteen, durian, garcinia, candlenut, lanzones, lansium, bitter bean, and areca nut (as their forestry component) and ginger, turmeric, chili, papaya, etlingera, and banana (as the agriculture component). Most NTFPs are cultivated as a comercial product. The economic value of NTFPs in Batu Mbelin Village has reached Rp. 547,275,000/year or contribute 80.07% of total family income. Meanwhile, the economic value of NTFPs in Sembahe Village has reached Rp 682,100,000/year, contributing to 78.75% of total household income. Therefore, the prospects for supporting and expanding NTFP in agroforestry plots in and around Sibolangit Tourism Park has high potential for supporting household income

There is critical need for more information on the status of forests in Central Asia, to inform conservation management. Here we assess the status and use of the globally important, threatened walnut–fruit forests of Dashtijum Nature Reserve, Tajikistan. We use a mixed methods approach combining a semi-structured interview based socio-economic survey with statistical analysis. Thirty-three tree species were recorded, with Rosaceae the most common family. The mean basal area of the forest was 20.8 m2 per ha and most tree species exhibited stable population structures. Resource use was prevalent throughout the community; most households harvested at least one fruit or nut species (78%), firewood (88%) and grazed livestock (85%). Most respondents noted declines in availability of fruits, nuts and firewood and reported a decrease in the overall area and quality of grazing. Statistical analysis and machine learning identified that distance to nearest settlement significantly affected forest total basal area, tree species richness and the Shannon index, a metric of diversity sensitive to rare species. Our results suggest that conservation management by the government and NGOs is partly effective but there is a need for increased enforcement of grazing restrictions, to prevent further forest degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central African forests are teemed with several goods of animal and plant origin. Goods of plant origin are forest products and non-timber forest products. This research work focused on the identification and importance of some non-timber forest products (NTFPs), especially the bark of tree species (Garcinia lucida, Scorodophloeus zenkeri and Alstonia boonei) in the locality of Ngovayang I. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, the characteristics of the NTFP sector, management strategies, and the impact of NTFP exploitation were determined in Ngovayang I. Surveys show that the bark of these three species is well known and used for various purposes such as consumption, self-medication and sale. The initiation of the use of the bark of these species is linked to sex and also depends on the age of the respondents. Their bark is supplied on the market and sold mostly by men. G. lucida and S. zenkeri are used for food, medicinal and profit-making purposes, while A. boonei is used exclusively for medicinal purposes. For younger people, aged between 15 and 35 years old, the exploitation of the bark of these three species has no negative impact on forest resources. For old people (35 to 65 years), the uncontrolled exploitation and uncontrolled debarking of G. lucida and S. zenkeri can lead to the shortage and even extinction of these two tree species in the region. However, the planned harvest of the bark of Garcinia lucida, Scorodophloeus zenkeri and Alstonia boonei is used as strategy of management of the bark of these trees in this locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economic Botany is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Plant population response to ecological and anthropogenic factors provides essential information for conservation and management, mainly for species occurring in ecosystems under intense and rapid land use changes, like the Cerrado. We assessed the effects of land use and management upon the distribution of size and on the frequency of life stages of Butia capitata, an intensively harvested fruit palm, endemic to a southeastern portion of the Brazilian Cerrado. Most populations had a reverse-J size-class distribution, indicating good recruitment in the landscape even under fruit harvesting pressure and extensive cattle ranching. Regeneration was null or scarce in areas under more intense land use and management pressure, such as found on large, industrial farms. Soil fertility and texture were associated with seedling frequency, soil texture with sapling frequency, and precipitation with juvenile frequency. These factors must be taken into account for the enrichment, introduction and restoration of populations, actions demanded by traditional populations and family farmers who harvest the valuable fruits of B. capitata. Populations in areas with intense land use and inadequate management practices may be doomed to plummet. In contrast, in areas managed by traditional peoples and family farmers, characterized by low intensity of fruit harvesting and low frequency of cattle, populations should persist. Supporting traditional peoples and family farmers' livelihoods and promoting changes in the management of areas where the species occurs may contribute to in situ conservation of the Cerrado's biodiversity in multiple-use landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rattans, or canes, are one of the most important non-timber forest products supporting the livelihood of many forest-dwelling communities in South and North-eastern India. Due to increased demand for rattan products, rattans have been extracted indiscriminately from the Western Ghats, a 1600-km mountain chain running parallel to the west coast of India. Extensive harvesting, loss of habitat and poor regeneration has resulted in dwindling rattan populations, necessitating an urgent attempt to conserve existing rattan resources. In this study, using niche-modelling tools, an attempt has been made to identify areas of high species richness of rattans in the Western Ghats, one of the mega-diversity regions of the world. We have also developed conservation values for 21 economically important and endemic rattans of the Western Ghats. We identified at least two to three sites of extremely high species richness outside the existing protected area network that should be prioritized for in situ conservation. This study emphasizes the need to develop strategies for the long-term conservation of rattans in the Western Ghats, India.

Abstract Background Within the highly bio-diverse ‘Northern Vietnam Lowland Rain Forests Ecoregion’ only small, and mostly highly modified forestlands persist within vast exotic-species plantations. The aim of this study was to elucidate vegetation patterns of a secondary hillside rainforest remnant (elevation 120–330 m, 76 ha) as an outcome of natural processes, and anthropogenic processes linked to changing forest values. Methods In the rainforest remnant tree species and various bio-physical parameters (relating to soils and terrain) were surveyed on forty 20 m × 20 m sized plots. The forest's vegetation patterns and tree diversity were analysed using dendrograms, canonical correspondence analysis, and other statistical tools. Results Forest tree species richness was high (172 in the survey, 94 per hectare), including many endemic species (>16%; some recently described). Vegetation patterns and diversity were largely explained by topography, with colline/sub-montane species present mainly along hillside ridges, and lowland/humid-tropical species predominant on lower slopes. Scarcity of high-value timber species reflected past logging, whereas abundance of light-demanding species, and species valued for fruits, provided evidence of human-aided forest restoration and ‘enrichment’ in terms of useful trees. Exhaustion of sought-after forest products, and decreasing appreciation of non-wood products concurred with further encroachment of exotic plantations in between 2010 and 2015. Regeneration of rare tree species was reduced probably due to forest isolation. Conclusions Despite long-term anthropogenic influences, remnant forests in the lowlands of Vietnam can harbor high plant biodiversity, including many endangered species. Various successive future changes (vanishing species, generalist dominance, and associated forest structural-qualitative changes) are, however, expected to occur in small forest fragments. Lowland forest biodiversity can only be maintained if forest fragments maintain a certain size and/or are connected via corridors to larger forest networks. Preservation of the forests may be fostered using new economic incentive schemes.

Although numerous and varied users harvest, trade, and consume nontimber forest products (NTFPs), relatively little is known about the organization of the markets for these products and the market value or contribution to local and regional economies. In this article, we review and synthesize economic research and information on the markets and market values of NTFPs in the United States. We describe formal and informal markets for NTFPs, and the extent to which and reasons why many of the details of these markets remain unknown to researchers and decisionmakers. We provide examples of the market values of various species and identify information gaps and research needs to improve resource management and increase economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We expected that the indigenous communities of Jaldapara National Park depend on the non-timber forest products (NTFPs), and there would be a relationship between socioeconomic variables and their dependency on NTFPs. The study also documented the gap between prices of NTFP items at the household level and in local markets. Multistage sampling procedures were applied with a sample size of 205. The data collected were analyzed through descriptive statistics and Chi-Square (χ2) test. Insignificant values of Chi-Square (χ2) test reveal that there is no association or relationship of NTFP dependency with the socioeconomic and demographic variables of the respondents. The communities do rely on NTFPs for their daily, sociocultural, and cash requirements and assure a safety net during scarcity. There is a variable contribution of NTFPs to total monthly household income (1-70%). We documented 43 species of NTFPs sold either as raw or as processed form. The NTFPs sold were in the form of twigs, shoot, fruit, seed, leaves, mushroom, and fish. A wide gap exists between the price realized by the community from the sale of NTFPs and those sold in the local markets. This calls for institutional intervention for capacity building and empowering the community for processing or value addition and market intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote sensing analyses focused on non-timber forest product (NTFP) collection and grazing are current research priorities of land systems science. However, mapping these particular land use patterns in rural heterogeneous landscapes is challenging because their potential signatures on the landscape cannot be positively identified without fine-scale land use data for validation. Using field-mapped resource areas and household survey data from participatory mapping research, we combined various Landsat-derived indices with ancillary data associated with human habitation to model the intensity of grazing and NTFP collection activities at 100-m spatial resolution. The study area is situated centrally within a transboundary southern African landscape that encompasses community-based organization (CBO) areas across three countries. We conducted four iterations of pixel-based random forest models, modifying the variable set to determine which of the covariates are most informative, using the best fit predictions to summarize and compare resource use intensity by resource type and across communities. Pixels within georeferenced, field-mapped resource areas were used as training data. All models had overall accuracies above 60% but those using proxies for human habitation were more robust, with overall accuracies above 90%. The contribution of Landsat data as utilized in our modeling framework was negligible, and further research must be conducted to extract greater value from Landsat or other optical remote sensing platforms to map these land use patterns at moderate resolution. We conclude that similar population proxy covariates should be included in future studies attempting to characterize communal resource use when traditional spectral signatures do not adequately capture resource use intensity alone. This study provides insights into modeling resource use activity when leveraging both remotely sensed data and proxies for human habitation in heterogeneous, spectrally mixed rural land areas.

As estratégias globais no âmbito da CDB são importantes para orientar políticas e recursos para a conservação da diversidade biológica. Este artigo enfatizou a necessidade de desenvolver ações no âmbito da Estratégia Global para a Conservação de Plantas (GSPC) com resultados mensuráveis até 2020, no que se refere ao status e as perspectivas relacionadas às metas 12 e 13, com foco no contexto brasileiro, visando identificar lacunas e ações para alcançar os objetivos para conservação e o uso sustentável das plantas. Salienta-se que a meta 12 abrange também a exploração madeireira, não necessariamente de relação direta com povos indígenas e comunidades tradicionais, porém pode vir a ameaçar seus meios de subsistência. No Brasil, o conhecimento científico sobre os efeitos ecológicos da coleta de produtos florestais não madeireiros ainda é limitado e poucos estudos contribuíram para o estabelecimento de regulamentações legais para coleta e manejo. Com relação à meta 13, que diz respeito aos conhecimentos tradicionais e indígenas sobre o uso de plantas e à dependência desses povos pelas plantas, ainda faltam iniciativas de políticas integradoras e eficazes. No entanto, considerando o contexto político negativo das últimas décadas e exacerbado nos últimos anos, em relação à conservação da biodiversidade e aos povos indígenas e comunidades locais são necessárias mudanças profundas no cenário brasileiro, com forte apoio e reconhecimento para os povos indígenas e comunidades locais, para que qualquer objetivo relacionado ao alcance das metas da GSPC seja minimamente perseguido. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In parts of the developing world, deforestation rates are high and poverty is chronic and pervasive. Addressing these issues through the commercialization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) has been widely researched, tested, and discussed. While the evidence is inconclusive, there is growing understanding of what works and why, and this paper examines the acknowledged success and failure factors. African forest honey has been relatively overlooked as an NTFP, an oversight this paper addresses. Drawing on evidence from a long-established forest conservation, livelihoods, and trade development initiative in SW Ethiopia, forest honey is benchmarked against accepted success and failure factors and is found to be a near-perfect NTFP. The criteria are primarily focused on livelihood impacts and consequently this paper makes recommendations for additional criteria directly related to forest maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the plant richness of Chapada do Araripe, Brazil, the pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm) extractivism occurs as an important activity that affects the economy and social life of the main cities of Cearense Cariri, although there is little knowledge about its current situation and sustainability perspective. The aim of this work is to collect information regarding actor relationships involved in the pequi extractive activity, relating them to the sustainability dimensions. This study was carried in the Barreiro Novo camping site, located in the state highway CE 060 in the Jardim-Ce municipality. Semistructured questionnaires were used with pequi collectors to establish a socioeconomic profile, besides using the participant observation method, pictures and content analysis in order to relate and identify the sustainability in this environment. Extractivism activity in the Chapada do Araripe region is something cultural, which has a special vision towards environmental issues that generates income for extrastivist families. However, the region needs policies for improving social conditions (water and sanitation in the camping site) and keeping the tradition without missing the environmental perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sapelli ( Entandrophragma cylindricum ) and tali ( Erythrophleum suaveolens ) are among the most important timber species harvested from Congo Basin forests. They also host edible caterpillars, Imbrasia oyemensis and Cirina forda, respectively, which are important to the nutrition and income of rural and urban populations. This study evaluated the density of these tree species within a 10 km radius around each of 4 villages and in the 2012 annual cutting areas of two timber concessions in the region of Kisangani (DRC). Sapelli and tali trees ≥20 cm dbh and their stumps were identified and measured on 21 five ha plots around each village and 20 five ha plots on each concession. Around villages and on concessions, sapelli trees occurred at densities of 0.048 ± 0.008 harvestable trees (≥80 cm dbh) ha −1 and 0.135 ± 0.019 precommercial trees ha −1 . Harvestable tali trees (≥60 cm dbh) were seven times more abundant at 0.347 ± 0.032 ha −1 , while precommercial tali trees occurred at densities of 0.329 ± 0.033 trees ha −1 . Between 25% and 40% of the harvestable sapelli trees had been logged as compared to <3% of the harvestable tali trees. Production per tree, derived from another study, was extrapolated to estimate caterpillar yields on a half circle of 15,700 ha within 10 km of villages, using these estimates of tree densities. Depending on the village, yields were estimated as 11.6–34.5 Mg year −1 of I. oyemensis from sapelli trees , and 65.8–80.9 Mg year −1 of C. forda from tali trees, an average of 0.74–2.2 kg ha −1  year and 4.2–5.2 kg ha −1  year, fresh weight, respectively (0.23–0.68 kg ha −1  year −1 and 1.3–1.6 kg ha −1  year −1 , dry weight, respectively). Harvestable trees yielded more caterpillars, providing most of the C. forda caterpillars. However, because harvestable sapelli trees occurred at low densities, the bulk of I. oyemensis caterpillar production would be hosted on precommercial trees. Logging practices that reject poorly formed or hollow trees and guidelines that call for high minimum diameter limits and retention of seed trees or prohibit logging on slopes or riparian zones, safeguard edible caterpillar production. Multiple resource management for multiple stakeholders would require more deliberate planning and management approaches based on negotiations with local communities and approaches like setting aside collection zones or collection trees that would be protected from logging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]