Indicator 6.26: value of nonwood forest products produced or collected, 2018
| Authors: | James L. Chamberlain |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Type: | Other |
| Station: | Southern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/FS-1217-Indicator-6.26 |
| Source: | FS-1217-Indicator-6.26. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington Office. |
Abstract
Nonwood forest products (NWFPs) are harvested from forests and don’t require cutting or removal of trees for timber. These products are a subset of nontimber forest products (NTFPs), which include wood that is not timberbased. People have been collecting these forest products— plant materials for food, fiber, and medicine, and other uses—for personal and commercial gain for generations. As the forest products industry developed, industries based on wood and nonwood forest products developed in parallel. The sale of these products contributes to local, regional, and national economies, though these products are overlooked in the valuation of our forests. Often, the NWFP industry comprises small-scale, locally based entrepreneurs, yet some large international corporations also depend on these products (Chamberlain et al. 2018a). Assigning dollar values to these products helps illustrate their importance to our Nation’s economy and the people who depend on them for livelihood.
For additional information, see the National report on sustainable forests, 2020