Importance of non-timber forest production in sustainable forest management, and its implication on carbon storage and biodiversity conservation in Ethiopia

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.