Production of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and diversity of harvesting practices and decision-making processes in northern Thailand’s community forests

Authors

Wuthiwong Wimolsakcharoen
Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Science, Biological Sciences Program & Department of Biology, Bangkok
Pongchai Dumrongrojwatthana
Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Bangkok 10330
Guy Trébuil
CIRAD, UMR Innovation, F-34398 Montpellier, France ; (2) Innovation, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19182/bft2020.343.a31845

Keywords


Melientha suavis, Oecophylla smaragdina, edible mushrooms, gathering practices, non-timber forest product, weaver ants, wild mushroom picker, Thailand

Abstract

Previous research on community forestry in Thailand has mainly focused on its institutional dimensions. Comprehensive knowledge on the production of non-timber forest products and on harvesting practices and decision-making processes is therefore still limited, particularly in relation to community-based forestry. A survey was performed to estimate the production of non-timber forest products and to characterise the diversity of harvesting practices and decision-making processes in northern Thailand’s community forests. Field investigations were conducted once a month for 12 months in seven community forests in the Lainan sub-district in Nan Province, using a grid-based sampling technique. Production and productivity of the main non-timber forest products were calculated by total fresh weight. In-depth interviews were conducted individually with 231 local harvesters to understand their NTFP harvesting practices and decision-making processes. Young shoots of Melientha suavis, queen broods of Oecophylla smaragdina and edible mushrooms were found to be the three main non-timber forest products collected, with productivity of 2, 12, and 2 kg/ha/year, respectively. Harvesting practices were characterised as applied by (A) landless villagers, (B) small- and medium-sized landholders, (C) larger landholders, and (D) outsiders. Local harvesters displayed different decision-making processes in resource harvesting depending on periods of resource availability, the duration of harvests and the quantities harvested. These quantitative data on resource productivity together with knowledge of harvesting practices and decision-making processes among harvesters will provide input to a participatory resource management process to support exchanges of knowledge among local stakeholders and explore scenarios for appropriate rules of access so as to improve the sustainability of non-timber forest product harvesting.

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References

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Published

2020-02-17

How to Cite

Wimolsakcharoen, W., Dumrongrojwatthana, P., & Trébuil, G. . (2020). Production of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and diversity of harvesting practices and decision-making processes in northern Thailand’s community forests. BOIS & FORETS DES TROPIQUES, 343, 39–52. https://doi.org/10.19182/bft2020.343.a31845