Abstract
Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) provide social and cultural services related to e.g., the tradition and social role of collecting berries, mushrooms and herbs. These services can be ranked among intangible outputs as a part of the recreational function of forests. However, their social value is only partially captured in non-forest activities. We used a Choice Experiment to explore individuals’ preferences towards NWFPs and associated services in Italy, Sweden, and Czechia. We estimated the individual marginal willingness to pay for the supply and maintenance of NWFPs. In addition, we analysed the determinants of people’s choices using the framework of the Moral Foundations Theory (MFT). The results show that people collect NWFPs mostly for self-consumption and recreation, rather than for livelihood or to sell them on the market. Despite this, they are willing to pay for sustainable forest management practices that favour NWFPs supply, as well as for forest conservation. Additionally, Care and Fairness traits in the MFT determine people’s willingness to pay for NWFPs. The results from this study highlight the value of the social component of non-wood forests products and the expenses related to picking. This is a first step towards a value chain analysis of the NWFPs.
Highlights
Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) are “goods derived from forests that are tangible and physical objects of biological origin other than wood” [1]
We investigate whether the Moral Foundations (MFs), in addition to standard explanatory variables, improve the explanation of the decision-making process regarding the endorsement of voluntary contributions to forest conservation and management [17,28], the presence of NWFPs
NWFPs are important forest ecosystem services that are supplied by multi-functional forest management
Summary
Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) are “goods derived from forests that are tangible and physical objects of biological origin other than wood” [1]. Some NWFP species act as keystones in ecological and cultural systems [2]; for example, they can provide food, facilitate pollination and seed dispersal, protect animal health, contribute to the nutrient cycle, offer shelter and protection, or contribute to cultural symbolism They contribute to wealth of the populations worldwide, accounting for approximately a quarter of rural household income in developing countries [2]. They have been an important source of food, medicine, and income for their users for thousands of years [3] Importantly, they play an important recreational role, since people are used to going to the forest, often with family and friends, to collect these products and use them for their own consumption or as a gift to friends and relatives. Most of these roles are still not recognized and valued by the society and the economy
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