Valuing the Potential of Non-timber Forest Products in Financial Valuation of Savannah Formation in Sudanian Region

Fifanou G Vodouhe,Flora J Chadaré,Nancy Gélinas,Hubert O Dossou-Yovo,Achille E Assogbadjo,Ousmane Coulibaly

doi:10.13189/ujar.2016.040504

Fifanou G Vodouhe, Flora J Chadaré + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.13189/ujar.2016.040504

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Abstract

This study assesses the financial value of one hectare of savannah vegetation in Sudanian region of West Africa based on the potential extraction of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Our methodology provides multiple estimations of NTFPs production from each species for two years and also takes into account variation in NTFPs prices. Given the regeneration capacity of harvested species for some NTFPs such as bark or root, we presented the annual financial value of revenue from NTFPs in contrary to some studies which determined their net present value. Results showed that the Net Annual Value of NTFPs collection is US$368 ha-1 and would justify the interest of sustainable use of these resources. The most valuable products of the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve savannah were species leaves (US$164 ha-1) followed by fruits (US$89 ha-1) and roots (US$78 ha-1). However, the Net Annual Value determined here is the potential value of the Sudanian savannah in NTFPs. The NTFPs financial valuation made in this study provided a useful details for comparing alternative land use practices. In view of the sustainable use of natural resources, a NTFP focused management system could be considered economically viable management option. However, they cannot be sustainability harvested in absence of careful species selection, yield studies, monitoring of regeneration and harvesting adjustments. Therefore, there is a need to know more about useful species availability, biology and reaction to harvesting impact, especially for those exploited for their roots, flowers or fruits.

Highlights

The Earth Summit in 1992 led to increasing political attention to environmental problems resulting from global deforestation [1]
The idea of choosing savannah in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve is motivated by its richness in species which produce Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and it’s the main formation in the reserve [29].Given the regeneration capacity of harvested species for some NTFPs such as bark or root, we presented the annual financial value of revenue from NTFPs in contrary to some studies which determined their net present value [18, 14, 4]
For NTFPs valuation we considered the selling cost obtained from collectors to minimize error due to processing or other cost estimation

Summary

Introduction

The Earth Summit in 1992 led to increasing political attention to environmental problems resulting from global deforestation [1] To mitigate this situation, many efforts were undertaken to conserve forests. In many part of the word, these efforts, mainly based on a strictly natural science orientation, have experienced failure [2] This failure can be explained in part by the fact that the conservation issue has ecological considerations. Empirical research on non-market forest benefits in the latter case has focused on recreational and existence values held by urban consumers. This spurred the development of non-market estimation techniques appropriate to such values [5]. Rural communities living in and around forest areas often rely heavily on Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for both subsistence and cash income [5, 6]

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