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Abstract
Non-timber forest products [NTFPs] originate from plants and fungi that are harvested from natural, manipulated or disturbed forests. NTFPs may include fungi, moss, lichen, herbs, vines, shrubs, or trees. People harvest the products for many reasons, including personal, recreational and spiritual uses, as well as commercial gain. The assessment of volumes and values is based on reports of permitted harvests of NTFPs by the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. These “sales” are assumed to be for commercial use but stating definitively that they are is speculative at best. The annual harvest of non-timber forest products is estimated for a number of product categories over five regions of the United States. The total value of the receipts from the issuance of permits to harvest non-timber forest products from federal lands is estimated. The wholesale value of these products is extrapolated, as well. The data presented illustrates that non-timber forest products represent significant contribution to the country’s economy. Challenges with reporting the full volumes and value of non-timber forest products are identified and a role for FIA to improve the reporting of this information is discussed.
Parent Publication
Citation
Chamberlain, James L. 2015. The volumes and value of non-timber forest products harvested in the United States. In: Stanton, Sharon M.; Christensen, Glenn A., comps. 2015. Pushing boundaries: new directions in inventory techniques and applications: Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) symposium 2015. 2015 December 8–10; Portland, Oregon. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-931. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 323-327.
