Thematic Publications

NWFPs consist of a large variety of products which are used for many purposes. Publications featured here are divided into the following themes: Food, Non-food and Cross-cutting issues.

 

Food

Tropical palms 2010 revision 1 March 2011 Tropical palms, originally published in 1998, has been updated in 2010 by the author to include the most recent information and developments regarding the conservation status and use of various tropical palm species. The deteriorating conservation status of several tropical palm species, particularly in the rattan group, as well as recent developments regarding the use of palm products in the food, bioenergy and fibre processing industries, for example, required a thorough review of the first edition. [more]
Fruit trees and useful plants in Amazonian life 3 January 2011 This book features the uncommon quality of bringing together original scientific knowledge on fruits and useful plants of the Amazon forest and the sensibility to detect the deep interaction between life, traditional knowledge of our forests and folk culture. [more]
Bees and their role in forest livelihoods - A guide to the services provided by bees and the sustainable harvesting, processing and marketing of their products 28 August 2009 This guide discusses the services provided by bees and the sustainable harvesting, processing and marketing of their products. [more]
Wild edible fungi - A global overview of their use and importance to people 1 October 2004 This paper discusses some traditional and contemporary uses of fungi as food or in medicine. This material is presented for information only and does not imply endorsement by the author or by FAO. Use of these products is not recommended unless taken under the care and guidance of a qualified expert or physician. Reports of edible and poisonous species are based on named sources. The accuracy of this information lies with these original sources. [more]
Medicinal plants for conservation and health care 1 January 1997 This volume brings together a most useful collection of papers by some experts in medicinal plants. It draws attention in a sensitive way to the huge contribution of medicinal plants to traditional and modern health care systems, but also alert the readers on the many problems and challenges facing their sustainable development, such as: assessment and management of the resource base; best harvesting and processing practices; trade issues and aspects dealing with the intellectual property rights on traditional medicine by indigenous peoples. [more]
Non-wood forest products from conifers 1 December 1995 The objective of this paper is to provide a global review of the non-wood uses of conifers. For the purposes of this paper, conifers are defined as trees and shrubs of the botanical orders Coniferales , Taxales and Ginkgoales (Rushforth 1987). [more]
Edible Nuts 1 May 1995 The document deals with a representative selection of major edible nut producing plants, minor edible nut producing plants, and potential edible nut producing plants. The purpose is to bring the importance of edible nuts into sharp focus, to highlight their immense potential, to encourage further studies and research relating to edible nuts and to promote their development. [more]

 

Non-food

 Tropical palms 2010 revision 1 March 2011 Tropical palms, originally published in 1998, has been updated in 2010 by the author to include the most recent information and developments regarding the conservation status and use of various tropical palm species. The deteriorating conservation status of several tropical palm species, particularly in the rattan group, as well as recent developments regarding the use of palm products in the food, bioenergy and fibre processing industries, for example, required a thorough review of the first edition. [more]
World Bamboo Resources - A thematic study prepared in the framework of the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005 1 January 2007 The present thematic study was developed by FAO and INBAR jointly in the framework of FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005, with the aim of filling the gap in global information and providing a first, comprehensive asessment of the world's bamboo resources. [more]
RATTAN glossary and Compendium glossary with emphasis on Africa 1 January 2004 This document contains two sections. The first section is a glossary of rattan terms mostly from Southeast Asia (especially Malaysia). The second section is a compendium glossary on rattan terms with special emphasis on Africa that was compiled separately, but following the same structure as the first glossary. [more]
Impact of Cultivation and Gathering of Medicinal Plants on Biodiversity: Global Trends and Issues 1 January 2002 In this paper, global trends in the close relationship between cultivation and wild harvest of MAP species are reviewed, then make recommendations on steps that should be taken to achieve a balance between consumption, conservation and cultivation. [more]
Rattan: Current research issues and prospects for conservation and sustainable development 1 January 2002 Based on the papers presented and their discussion, the Expert Consultation emphasized the economic, socio-cultural and ecological importance of rattan to a large number of people in the world and noted that rattan resources in their natural range of tropical forests in Asia and Africa were being depleted through overexploitation, inadequate replenishment, poor forest management and loss of forest habitats. There was a need to ensure a sustainable supply of rattan through improved and equitable management. [more]
Rattan Development - FAO Expert consultation in collaboration with INBAR 1 January 2001 The report summarizes the findings of the FAO Expert consultation in collaboration with INBAR on Rattan development. [more]
Rattan - Unasylva, no. 205 1 January 2001 The articles in this issue have all been adapted from papers presented at the Expert Consultation on Rattan Development, which was held in Rome from 5 to 7 December 2000 to assess the current status of the resource and its utilization, identify the major issues facing the rattan industry and formulate recommendations for promoting economic and technical cooperation for the development of rattan globally. [more]
Medicinal plants for conservation and health care 1 November 1995 This volume brings together a most useful collection of papers by some experts in medicinal plants. It draws attention in a sensitive way to the huge contribution of medicinal plants to traditional and modern health care systems, but also alert the readers on the many problems and challenges facing their sustainable development, such as: assessment and management of the resource base; best harvesting and processing practices; trade issues and aspects dealing with the intellectual property rights on traditional medicine by indigenous peoples. [more]
Natural Colourants and dyestuffs 1 April 1995 The number of colourants and dyestuffs found in nature are enormous. While some of them are fairly well-known, many of them are not commercially important. To provide a comprehensive coverage of all the plants and animals providing colourants and dyestuffs is a very difficult task. This publication attempts to provide only a representative selection of plants and insects yielding colourants and dyestuffs. Its purpose is to give an indication of the wide-ranging sources of natural colourants and dyestuffs and to encourage further research and studies relating to this group of products. [more]
Flavours and Fragrances of Plant Origin 1 January 1995 The present publication on flavours and fragrances of plant origin is the first of the series on NWFP by FAO. [more]

Cross-cutting issues

Abstracts book of the 2nd International Non-Wood Forest Products Symposium, 8-11 September 2011, Isparta, Turkey 1 January 2012 This book compiles all the abstracts of the 2nd International Non-Wood Forest Products Symposium, 8-11 September 2011, Isparta, Turkey. [more]
The impact of timber harvesting on the availability of non-wood forest products in the congo basin 1 January 2007 This case study is one of a series of publications produced by the Forest Products Service of FAO in an effort to promote environmentally sound forest harvesting and engineering practices. [more]
Summary of six case study reports as a contribution to development of practical techniques to assess non-wood forest product resources 1 May 2003 This report summarizes six case study as a contribution to the development of practical techniques to assess non-wood forest product resources. The generic lessons related more to the delivery mechanism for the Guidelines and suggest that a comprehensive training and support programme will be needed to complement any literary based manual. [more]
 Expert consultation on developing an action programme towards improved bamboo and rattan trade statistics 1 January 2003 The purpose of the consultation was to: (i) elaborate and agree on a proposed set of new HS trade codes for bamboo and rattan products; and (ii) elaborate a plan of action for improving bamboo and rattan statistics at national and global levels, with a programme of work and the roles of the different agencies discussed and agreed upon during the meeting. [more]
 Data collection and analysis related to non-wood forest products - A pilot Study in Suriname 1 June 2002 The project Data Collection and Analysis for Sustainable Forest Management in ACP Countries - Linking National and International Efforts (GCP/INT/679/CE) was carried out in the context of the European Commission (EC) - FAO Partnership Programme in order to promote the sustainable use of trees and forests in African and Caribbean countries. The project aimed to contribute to the development of policies which would integrate in a balanced way the socio-economic and ecological aspects of the forestry sector. [more]
Non-Wood Forest Products from Temperate Broad-Leaved Trees 1 January 2002 This paper discusses some traditional and contemporary uses of non-wood products from trees and shrubs in medicine. [more]
Resource assessment of non-wood forest products 1 January 2001 This is a resource for people who want to know more about inventory for measuring and planning management of non-wood forest products (NWFPs). This publication is intended as reference material for practitioners considering inventory of NWFP resources. [more]
Non-wood Forest Products and Income Generation - Unasylva, no. 198 1 March 1999 he articles in this issue of Unasylva explore various facets of the challenge of generating income through the sustainable management of NWFPs. [more]
Marketing of Indigenous Medicinal Plants in South Africa: A Case Study in Kwazulu-Natal 1 January 1998 This report covers the marketing aspect of a larger research project. The market study aims to describe the demand, supply, current marketing practices, potential and limitations within the medicinal plant market and makes recommendations for a wide range of decision-makers [more]
Sustainable Development of Non-Wood Goods and Benefits from Boreal and Cold Temperate Forests 1 January 1998 This international workshop is the first of its kind for this region, which is characterised by a vast and unique forest resource and a dynamic forestry sector. [more]
 Domestication and commercialization of non-timber forest products in agroforestry systems 1 January 1996 From the discussions at the International Conference on Domestication and Commercialization of Non-Timber Forest Products in Agroforestry Systems in Nairobi (1996), emerged perspectives on domestication and commercialization of non-timber forest products in agroforestry systems and threw light on how to address issues dealing with resource assessment, indigenous knowledge, product development, socio-economic benefits, environmental impact, and institutional and policy aspects. This summary of papers can help national and international agencies in designing and implementing their activities on non-timber forest products. [more]
Non-wood forest products from conifers 1 December 1995 The objective of this paper is to provide a global review of the non-wood uses of conifers. For the purposes of this paper, conifers are defined as trees and shrubs of the botanical orders Coniferales , Taxales and Ginkgoales (Rushforth 1987). [more]
Trade restrictions affecting international trade in non-wood forest products 1 September 1995 This study provides information on restrictions facing the international trade in NWFPs. International trade in NWFPs, as that in most other products, is controlled and regulated by various trade measures. A wide array of these exists and their nature, significance, extent and impact vary considerably from nation to nation and product to product. [more]
Non-Wood Forest Products for Rural Income and Sustainable Forestry 1 July 1995 This volume outlines the approaches for assessing the potential of NWFP activities in a particular area. It is mainly addressed to policy-makers, researchers, local extension workers, NGOs and others professionals to identify and pursue possibilities for better management of NWFPs. It is hoped that through better assistance and support, community-level producers and processors will be able to realize the sustainable potential of NWFP activities. An outline of the kind of technical, institutional and policy support required to promote NWFP activities, is also provided. [more]
Report of the International Expert Consultation on Non-Wood Forest Products (Yogyakarta, Indonesia, January 1995) 1 March 1995 The International Expert Consultation on Non-Wood Forest Products which met in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 17-27 January 1995, considered the relevant aspects relating to the development of NWFPs. Based on this, recommendations for research and governance were suggested. Index : http://www.fao.org/forestry/16346-03f572b88ea64890818ea9d352cc051b8.pdf [more]
Marketing information systems for non-timber forest products 1 January 1995 The immediate purpose of this manual is to help local groups establish a Marketing Information System that is user-driven, flexible and responsive to local needs. The longer term objective of the MIS, in most cases, will beto help people market their NTFPs more effectively and increase their earnings from these activities. [more]
More than Wood: Special options on multiple use of forests 1 December 1993 This report describes and discusses the use and development of products other than wood derived from forests and forest lands, in the overall context of multiple-use forestry for sustainable development. It presents a wide range of examples of these non-wood forest products in terms of their use and potential as sources of self-sufficient and sustained livelihoods for low-income rural communities, their commercial and industrial applications and their value in local or distant marketplaces. [more]
International Trade in Non-Wood Forest Products: An Overview. 1 November 1993 This publication gives a thorough overview of the international trade in NWFP. [more]
Marketing of Brazil nuts 1 January 1992 This study describes the process of marketing of Brazil nuts and makes proposals forimprovement of the involvement of local people in it. [more]
Non-wood forest products: the way ahead 1 January 1991 The present publication is intended to serve as a broad guide to issues and potentials regarding NWFP development. [more]

last updated:  Tuesday, January 28, 2014