Social contributions of forest genetic resources are many and very difficult to isolate from the economic contributions. In addition to contributions made to the ecosystems in general, significant social contributions mainly exist in indigenous forest genetic resources where sacred forests and taboo trees are strongly observed. Many trees of some species, like Parinari curetillifolia, Lonchocarpus capassa and Sclerocarya birrea are often referred to as taboo trees which should be respected. In most cases, taboo trees are strongly observed in areas where the concept of sacred forests is very difficult to implement. The two are observed because of their social (and economic) contributions to the societies. Regardless of different denominations (and even cultures), the importance of sacred forests and taboo trees in societies is to unite the people in a locality under a common denominator (conservation of natural forest resources) for the betterment of all societies and the Nation at large.
