IMPORTANCE AND SUSTAINABLE EXPLOITATION OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS IN CLOUD FORESTS: CASE STUDY IN ORCHIDS

Abstract

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are “All the plant and animal products and services, excluding wood, derived from the forests”. For example: fruits, nuts, seeds, oils, spices, resins, fibers, waxes, gums, rhizomes, medicinal plants, ornamental plants, and others that are gathered. In this study, the current state of the NTFPs is exposed, with an emphasis in cloud forest orchids, with the goal of contributing to generate proposals that drive their sustainable exploitation. A large part of the NTFPs are consumed in households and sold locally; others find export markets, so they represent a source of financial income and employment for inhabitants of rural communities, particularly for marginalized ones. Some resources are, or will soon be, cultivated varieties. It is concluded that the NTFPs should be priority in the national programs for the forest conservation, poverty reduction, rural development projects that guarantee the conservation of resources.