Non-wood Forest Products Research Articles

Effects of land use change and Quercus rubra introduction on Vaccinium myrtillus performance in Pinus sylvestris forests

Tree species diversity can positively affect numerous forest functions. This is why Scots pine monocultures, widely promoted in Central Europe since the 18th Century, are converted into mixed stands, also with broadleaved species of alien origin. Here we studied the impacts of Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) introduction and forest continuity (ancient vs. recent forests) on bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) – a dominant component of the forest understory and very important ecosystem services provider in temperate coniferous (Pinus sylvestris) forests. We measured bilberry cover, density and height of shoots, fruit productivity (number and biomass of berries) as well as biomass of stems and leaves. 2000 bilberry shoots (ramets) were collected in 200 plots located in four types of Scots pine forest in central Poland: recent and ancient forests, with and without Q. rubra. At the individual (ramet) level we found decreased aboveground biomass and fruiting leaf mass fraction of bilberry in recent pine monoculture and in both types of forest with Q. rubra. Presence of Q. rubra also modified the trajectory of the allometric relationship between biomass and height: plants with the same height had lower biomass. At the population level we found a decrease of shoot density, biomass and fruiting, which resulted from effects at the individual shoot level and from lower density. At the ecosystem level these relationships were modified by decreased cover of bilberry in the understory layer and bilberry fruit biomass in recent forests (with and without Q. rubra) and in ancient forest with Q. rubra. Results clearly indicated that V. myrtillus benefited from the continuity of Scots pine forests and declined after Q. rubra introduction. As V. myrtillus serves as shelter and provides food for numerous animal species, decreases in bilberry cover and biomass can have far-reaching consequences for biodiversity and population dynamics of numerous species which occur naturally in Scots pine forests. Results show that it can also result in a decrease in availability of non-wood forest products. Therefore, as part of sustainable forest management, we suggest limiting admixture of invasive Q. rubra (as well as other broadleaved species) into pine monocultures in areas with abundant V. myrtillus cover.

The use of non-wood forest products and forest tourism in Belarus

Abstract The aim of the research was to review the legal and regulatory framework that controls the use of non-wood forest products and tourism in forests in Belarus and to analyze current information on harvesting of non-wood forest products such as berries, mushrooms, birch sap, honey, medicinal plants, and minor forest resources as well as to study the state of ecotourism in the territory of the forest fund. We demonstrated that the legal base needs to be improved. In particular, the taxes should be redistributed from economic entities involved in collateral forest use to the Ministry of Forestry that manages the forests. Despite the increased anthropogenic impact on understory layers and the adverse global climatic changes of recent decades, the productive capacity of non-wood forest resources in Belarus remains significant. Nevertheless, the resources are not exploited appropriately, although the demand for products in the domestic and foreign markets is consistently high. In this regard, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for stakeholders, including those possessing foreign capital, to participate in economic activity, whilst preserving the coordinating and controlling functions of the Ministry of Forestry as it is the main forest fund holder in the country. Efforts are also being made to develop infrastructure for ecotourism in forests. However, the level of marketing activities aimed at promoting and providing consumers with available tourist products and services does not meet modern requirements.

Predicting Mushroom Productivity from Long-Term Field-Data Series in Mediterranean Pinus pinaster Ait. Forests in the Context of Climate Change

Long-term field-data series were used to fit a mushroom productivity model. Simulations enabled us to predict the consequences of management and climate scenarios on potential mushroom productivity. Mushrooms play an important ecological and economic role in forest ecosystems. Human interest in collecting mushrooms for self-consumption is also increasing, giving forests added value for providing recreational services. Pinus pinaster Ait. is a western Mediterranean species of great economic and ecological value. Over 7.5% of the total European distribution of the species is found on the Castilian Plateau in central Spain, where a great variety of mushrooms can be harvested. The aim of this study was to model and simulate mushroom productivity in Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) ecosystems in northern Spain under different silvicultural and climatic scenarios. A mixed model was fitted that related total mushroom productivity to stand and weather variables. The model was uploaded to the SiManFor platform to study the effect of different silvicultural and climatic scenarios on mushroom productivity. The selected independent variables in the model were the ratio between stand basal area and density as a stand management indicator, along with precipitation and average temperatures for September and November. The simulation results also showed that silviculture had a positive impact on mushroom productivity, which was higher in scenarios with moderate and high thinning intensities. The impact was highly positive in wetter scenarios, though only slightly positive and negative responses were observed in hotter and drier scenarios, respectively. Silviculture had a positive impact on mushroom productivity, especially in wetter scenarios. Precipitation had greater influence than temperature on total mushroom productivity in Maritime pine stands. The results of this paper will enable forest managers to develop optimal management approaches for P. pinaster forests that integrate Non-Wood Forest Products resources.

Dynamic Shift-Share Analysis of Forestry Industry Structure and Competitiveness in Heilongjiang Province

Since 2014, commercial natural forest cutting is prohibited in state-owned forest areas in Heilongjiang Province, which has affected the traditional forestry economy in Heilongjiang Province. The restructuring and optimization of the forestry industry in Heilongjiang is imminent. Based on the data of forestry output value of Heilongjiang Province from 2002 to 2016, this paper explores the law of forestry economic growth and industrial structure evolution in Heilongjiang Province through the dynamic shift-share analysis method (DSSA).The results show that the economic growth rate of forestry industry in Heilongjiang Province is higher than the national average. The primary industry is still a basic leading industry, the secondary and tertiary industries of forestry are highly dependent on the primary industry. The secondary industry lacks sufficient competitiveness, the technical content of processed products is low, lacking deep processing and fine processing, and the industry needs to be optimized. The tertiary industry accounts for a low proportion, the forest tourism service in Heilongjiang is relatively backward in the country, and it is necessary to further explore the leisure tourism service suitable for Heilongjiang. In order to optimize the industrial structure and promote the economic development of Heilongjiang Province, this paper proposes concrete countermeasures such as extending the industrial chain, developing non-wood forest products, and developing forest tourism and leisure services.

Non-wood Forest Products Collection and their valuation in Chhotaudepur Forest Division of Gujarat State, India

Non-wood Forest Products Collection and their valuation in Chhotaudepur Forest Division of Gujarat State, India

Using Mobile Image Recognition System for Nonwood Species Identification in the Field

Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) provide important source of income for millions of households world-wide especially for those in rural areas. Especially nonwood plants are main source of income for rural people in many parts of the world. These plants are also consumed by local people for health, nutrition and many other needs. In order to ensure benefits of NWFPs, it is important to identify nonwood plants and determine their population distribution. However, plant identification by using manual method is a complex task to fulfill especially in varying conditions in the field. The leaves are often used to identify plant species based on their visible characteristics. Image recognition systems have been developed to identify plant species by using leaf image. Comparing manual plant identification systems, image recognition systems are easier and, in most cases, more accurate alternatives. In recent years, some mobile applications have been developed to assist people to identify plants by taking pictures of their leaves using smart phones. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the capabilities of the most common mobile image recognition systems in identification of plant species based on leaf images.

Spatiotemporal Change Detection of the Linden Forests in Bursa, Turkey

Nonwood forest products potentially provide many economic, social and environmental benefits in Turkey. Increasing public demand for nonwood forest products has led to the development of spatial planning and updating of existing plans. In order to ensure the sustainable management of nonwood forest products, their trends and spatial distributions by time can be estimated by using land use/land cover change detection approach. The Linden is one of the most important nonwood forest products in Turkey and the most widespread distribution of linden is located in the province of Bursa. In this study, it was aimed to determine the spatiotemporal changes of one of the world's largest linden forests in Yeniköy Forestry Enterprise Chief within the border of Bursa Forestry Regional Directorate. Change detection analysis was applied to Landsat 5 TM image and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS image captured in August 2008 and in July 2017, respectively. The spatiotemporal change detection was implemented on these two images by using various digital image processing techniques (pre-processing, classification, post-processing, and change detection) through ERDAS Imagine 2015, ArcGIS 10.5, and ENVI 5.3 program. The supervised classification, applied on both images using ERDAS Imagine 2015 program, revealed that there were six significant land use/land cover types in the study area; linden, other deciduous trees, wetlands, swamp, sand, and other lands (settlements, agriculture, open areas). The results indicated that there was increase in the areas of wetlands, sand, and other lands, while the area of linden forest, other deciduous trees, and swamp decreased from 2008 to 2017. According to the accuracy assessment results, the classification processes applied on 2008 and 2017 images provided overall accuracy of 84.38% and 82.81%, respectively. It is determined that some of the linden forests have been converted into residential areas and farmlands to grow crops.

Mechanism of the Breaking of Seed Dormancy by Flower Thinning in Heracleum moellendorffii Hance

As a non-wood forest product, Heracleum moellendorffii Hance, a traditional Chinese medicine and wild vegetable, plays a very important role in local forest protection and forest resource development. However, only a few physiological and biochemical studies have been conducted on H. moellendorffii, which has seed dormancy. Based on planting trials, flower thinning can not only promote seed production but also increase the germination rate. Therefore, it is necessary to study H. moellendorffii to better understand the relationship between flower thinning and seed dormancy. Determination of seed quality indexes was performed to evaluate the seed quality with and without flower thinning treatment. To further reveal the underlying biological processes, transcriptional analysis was performed based on the immature seed, naturally mature seeds, and naturally mature seeds with flower thinning treatment. After screening seed dormancy-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 220,841 unigenes were successfully confirmed including CYP, MYB, APX1, GRX, HSP, LEGA, LEGB, RFC1, HOX, PAP, MPA, and FATB. Furthermore, the transcriptional changes were discussed overall by GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analyses. The results showed that oxidoreductase activity, protein processing, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, and fatty acid degradation were the main biological processes, and ACSL, ACOX1, ECHS1, and HADH are the candidate genes for these terms, respectively. Candidate gene expression was validated by qPCR. Flower thinning can promote the maturity of H. moellendorffii seeds, improve the seed quality, and break seed dormancy. Oil body proteins and fatty acid metabolism both played significant roles in the process of seed embryo development and seed dormancy release. In future applications, flower thinning may be an effective technique for the breaking of seed dormancy. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of flower thinning to break seed dormancy.

EKOSİSTEM HİZMET ÖDEMELERİNİN ODUN DIŞI ORMAN ÜRÜN VE HİZMETLERİ KAPSAMINDA DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ: SU VE SU KAYNAKLARI YÖNETİMİ

Ormanlar ve sulak alanların sağladığı ekolojik hizmetlerin önemi her geçen gün daha fazla artmaktadır. Literatürde, bu hizmetlerin ekonomik kalkınmaya olan pozitif etkilerinin ne denli önemli olduğuna vurgu yapılırken, ekonomik değerini belirlemeye yönelik çalışmaların henüz yeterli düzeyde olmadığı dikkat çekmektedir. Söz konusu ekolojik hizmetlerin sağlandığı alanların büyük bir bölümü sürdürülebilirlik anlayışından uzak bir yönetim çerçevesi kapsamında başta antropojenik etkenler olmak üzere birçok faktörlerin ciddi tehdidi altındadır. Kümülatif olarak hızı giderek artan bu etkenler orta ve uzun vadede çevre bozulmalarına, arazi kullanımında değişimlere, yaşam alanlarının daralmasına ve en önemlisi de yaşam kalitesinin düşmesine neden olmaktadır. Ekosistemlerin, düzenleyici, tedarik edici, destekleyici ve kültürel bağlamda sağlamış olduğu faydalar bu kaynakların sürdürülebilirlik prensibi kapsamında kullanılmasını gerektirmektedir. Bu çalışmada bazı ülkelerdeki su kaynakları, ormancılık ve ekosistem hizmetleri arasındaki ilişkiler ele alınmış, yönetsel ve sosyo-ekonomik kapsamda incelemelerde bulunulmuş, kaynağın değerini, koruma ve kullanma dengesini göz önünde bulunduran uygulamalar ve yaklaşımlar literatür taraması kapsamında örneklendirilmiştir.

Income diversification strategies and household welfare: empirical evidence from forestry farm households in China

Extant literature has documented the positive effects of off-farm work and non-wood forest products on economic welfare. However, little empirical evidence has been provided on the combination of participating in both of the aforementioned income diversification strategies (IDS) and an assessment of the correlation with economic welfare. This study aims to fulfill the knowledge gap by identifying the determinants of IDS and empirically assessing the association between the IDS and household welfare and resource allocation of forestry farm households in China. Using a unique survey data of 3099 forestry farm households from seven provinces of China, a recently-developed multi-valued treatment effect model was estimated to address the potential selectivity bias. The empirical results show that household size, labor force, forestland size, farmland size, access to the forestland property certificate, human capital of the household head, and regional heterogeneity are associated with the IDS decisions. Farm households that participate in IDS have a higher value of forestry income, agricultural income, off-farm income, consumption, savings, and lower odds of relative poverty compared with their counterparts without IDS participation. The improvement in economic performance, as a result of IDS, is possible because of an efficient reallocation of family resources and a high likelihood of receiving government financial and technical support.

Direct marketing in non-wood forest products in Turkey

Son on yılda dünyada tarımsal ürünlerin pazarlanmasında doğrudan pazarlama uygulamalarının yaygın bir şekilde kullanıldığı görülmektedir. Odun dışı orman ürünleri (ODOÜ) de bu gelişmeden etkilenmiş olup, bu ürünlerin doğrudan pazarlamasına yönelik çalışmalar dünyada önemli bir gelişme göstermiştir. Dünyada ODOÜ’nün doğrudan pazarlanması sivil organizasyonlar, üreticiler ve tüketiciler ile organize bir şekilde yapılmaktadır. Diğer yandan Türkiye’de, doğrudan pazarlama girişimlerinin tarımsal ürünlerde sınırlı düzeyde kaldığı, ODOÜ’de ise pek önemli bir gelişme sağlanamadığı belirlenmiştir. Bu çalışmada, ODOÜ’ye ait dünyada yaygın olarak kullanılan doğrudan pazarlama seçenekleri örneklerle incelenerek tartışılmış, her bir seçeneğe ait fayda ve riskler ortaya konulmuş ve Türkiye’deki doğrudan pazarlama girişimlerine yön verilmesi açısından bazı öneriler getirilmiştir. ODOÜ geniş orman alanlarından toplandığından, bu ürünlerin envanterinin zorluğu, toplayıcılar, aracılar ve diğer pazarlama kanallarını oluşturan elemanlarla iletişim eksikliğinin olması, ürünlerden düzensiz faydalanma, denetim eksikliği ve eğitim yetersizliği ODOÜ’nün doğrudan pazarlanması için önemli görülen kısıtlardan bazılarıdır.

Synergies and Trade-Offs in the Production of NWFPs Predicted in Boreal Forests

The global growth of the consumption of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) is evident due to the current trends in lifestyle and consumption. Alongside the increased popularity and commercial use of NWFPs, their yields are also more often taken into account in forest management planning. Empirical yield models recently developed for different NWFPs enable forest managers to include their predicted yields in multi-objective optimization. However, knowledge on the synergies and trade-offs between timber production and different NWFPs is scanty. In this study, we analyzed these relationships through correlation matrices and production possibility frontiers in two case study forest holdings from Finland. A large number of Pareto optimal forest holding level plans were produced by multi-objective optimization and used to analyze trade-offs and synergies. Empirical yield models for 12 NWFPs, representing different berries, mushrooms, and tree-based products, were utilized in the analyses. The results revealed synergies and possibilities for joint-production for NWFPs, but also trade-offs between NWFPs and timber production. NWFPs often had a negative correlation with cutting removals, with the only exception being cowberry. Despite the overall negative correlation, the maximum yields of NWFPs called for some cuttings. Negative correlations with the net present value of timber production were weaker. The results are valuable when the aim is to diversify the use of boreal forests and open avenues for truly multi-objective decision support services to facilitate the decision making of forest owners.

Modeling the productivity of commercial Lactarius mushrooms: A case study in the Kizilcasu planning unit, Turkey

AbstractEmpirical models for mushroom productivity are essential tools for analyzing trade‐offs among multiple objectives when developing and implementing integrated forest management plans. In this study, data measured in 30 permanent plots from a 4‐year period of mushroom production were used to predict mushroom productivity. The fresh weights of Lactarius deliciosus and L. salmonicolor mushrooms were recorded in each sample plot. Owing to the hierarchical structure of the data obtained, equations were developed to produce mixed models using stand and topographic variables. The results showed that increasing slopes increased annual yield in northerly aspects, yet decreased the annual yield in southerly aspects. Besides, the productivity was negatively influenced by height, age and crown closure, and positively influenced by mean stand diameter, growing stock and elevation alone. However, the combined effects of age and diameter and the combined effects of growing stock and height separately showed a negative trend on mushroom yield.Recommendation for Resource Managers Productivity models were developed as important tools in developing nonwood forest products integrated forest management plans. The models show that annual yield of Lactarius mushroom is significantly influenced by certain stand and topographic variables. Use of these models is critical for analyzing trade‐offs among various forest values such as wood and nonwood forest products. The models could lead to optimization of the production and conservation of fungal resources and allow forest managers and field foresters to forecast mushroom production and manage forest interventions affecting mushroom production.

Perspectives on non-wood forest product development in Europe

Within Europe new interests in the role and importance of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) are developing. This article analyses emerging perspectives on NWFP development in Europe and relates these to four main issues effecting NWFP developments in tropical countries: diversity in the contribution of NWFPs to (rural) livelihoods, centrality of culture, the gradient from NWFP extraction to monocultural cultivation, and the importance of local and regional markets. Whereas in tropical countries much attention has been given to the role of NWFPs as a basic livelihood asset, in European countries the focus is increasingly oriented on NWFPs as niche-marketed products or as well-being products embedded in recreation and pedagogic services. Four main development orientations may be distinguished. These are not uniformly distributed over Europe. Depending on socio-economic, cultural and ecological conditions five European regions with different characteristics in respect to NWFP use and development are identified.

Children of the forests: Child gatherers and traders in non-wood forest products in the Mazowe Valley area in Zimbabwe

Non-wood forest products play a stupendous role in the lives of many people across the globe. The products contribute immensely to household economies as they are either consumed or sold. The object of this study was to give an account of child gatherers of non-wood forest products in the Mazowe Valley area in Zimbabwe. The study adopted a qualitative approach in which data were gathered from 27 children through participant observations and informal interviews. Children were found to actively participate in the collection and trading of non wood forest products. Child collectors of the products are ranged in age from 4 to 17 years. Some of the children lived in child headed households while some lived with their parents. The NWFPs collected include fodder, small animals, insects, mushroom and wild fruits. Income realized from the sale of the products was used for buying food, clothes, goodies, and paying school fees. It is therefore concluded that non-wood forest products contribute towards poverty reduction, enhance well-being and capabilities, ascertain livelihood adaptation, vulnerability and resilience and natural resource base sustainability. Key Word s: Non-wood forest products, children, child poverty, child food poverty

The Management of Non-Wood Forest Products in Bihor County

The Management of Non-Wood Forest Products in Bihor County

Mnenje prebivalcev Slovenije o pomenu gozdov in gozdarstva

The research aims at assessing the Slovenian public opinion on the importance of forests and forest management. 1014 surveys were completed by randomly selected adult citizens of the RS proportionally in regard to the country%s statistical regions. The survey included 10 sections and 74 Likert-type statements. Slovenian public believes that the most important functions of forests are environmental functions, followed by wood production and protection against natural hazards, social functions, whereas the least important are gathering non-wood forest products and hunting. More than 90 % of respondents think that forests are important for multiple functions. 74 % of the public supports free access, 60 % of them supports the right to gather non-wood forest products. The majority of them believe that the state should invest funds for supporting environmental functions. The statements on free access and importance of forests for recreation are the strongest factors in discriminating the groups of forest owners and non-owners.

Local Productive Arrangement of Non-Wood Forest Products in Paraná Coast, Brazil, Between Ascension and Decline

Local Productive Arrangement of Non-Wood Forest Products in Paraná Coast, Brazil, Between Ascension and Decline

Availability and Potential Use of Non-Wood Forest Products (Nwfps) in a Traditional Community of the Amazon

Availability and Potential Use of Non-Wood Forest Products (Nwfps) in a Traditional Community of the Amazon

Antioxidant Properties of Some Herbal Teas (Green tea, Senna, Corn Silk, Rosemary) Brewed at Different Temperatures

Some non-wood forest products are brewed and consumed as tea. Among the reasons for the consumption of herbal tea, digestive problems are located in the first row. Antioxidants help to human body for arranging digestive and immune system. Herbal tea is brewed in various ways such as boiling at different durations or waiting in hot water at different temperatures etc. Type of brewing can affect to bioactive properties of herbal tea. In this study, it was investigated the bioactive properties (total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, condensed tannin content and antioxidant properties) of some herbals brewed ( Green tea / Camellia sinensis. , senna / Cassia sp., corn silk / Zea mays , rosemary / Rosmarinus officinalis ) at different temperature. These herbs were brewed for 10 minutes at 60 o C, 80 o C and 100 o C temperatures. After cooling, total phenolic, flavonoid content, total condensed tannin content and antioxidant properties of these herbs were determined. Consistently, the highest results were found in the tea brewed at 100 o C. The highest total flavonoid (0.305 ± 0.005 mg QE/g) and ferric reducing ability (670.150 ± 2.121 µmol FeSO 4 7H 2 O/g ) was in Rosmarinus officinalis. The highest condensed tannin (9.443 ± 0.524 mg CE/g) and the highest total phenolic content (4.872 ± 0.005 mg GAE/g) was in Camellia sinensis and Cassia sp., respectively.