ISSN 2375-0979
African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2024. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Exploring the potential of non-timber forest products for sustainable forest management and environmental benefits in Ethiopia
Solomon Melaku Melese
Department of Forestry, Wollo University, College of Agriculture, 1145, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Accepted 11 November, 2023
Abstract
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are biological resources of plant and animal origin, harvested from natural forests, manmade plantations, wooded land, farmlands and trees outside forests or domesticated. These products are vital sources of income, nutrition and sustenance for many forest-based communities around the world. This study tries to review available and accessible literatures on role of NTFPs in sustainable forest management including sociological approach, economic approach, ecosystem approach, technological approach and its related services (biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration). The use of NTFPs has received attention in light of their perceived potential to address both poverty reduction and tropical forest conservation. It was suggested that better management and utilization method has to be set for diversifying products benefit for the local community.
Key words: NTFPs, sustainable, biodiversity, forest management.