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Abstract
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are increasingly looked to as potential income sources for forest communities. Yet little is known about the existing livelihood uses of NTFPs. Drawing on a case study in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this paper describes the contemporary contributions of NTFPs to the livelihoods of people who gather them. First-hand use of products from over 100 botanical species was documented during a year of ethnographic research. These products contributed to gatherers' livelihoods through both nonmarket and market strategies. The paper suggests the need for a broad view of economic activity to fully understand existing NTFP livelihood uses and anticipate the effects of developing markets for wild plant material on individuals and households in forest communities.
Parent Publication
Citation
Emery, Marla R. 2001. Non-timber forest products and livelihoods in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In: Davidson-Hunt, Iain; Duchesne, Luc C.; Zasada, John C., eds. Forest communities in the third millennium: linking research, business, and policy toward a sustainable non-timber forest product sector, proceedings of the meeting; 1999 October 1-4; Kenora, Ontario, Canada. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-217. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 23-30.
