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Research Project: Enhancing Water Resources, Production Efficiency and Ecosystem Services in Gulf Atlantic Coastal Plain Agricultural Watersheds

Location: Southeast Watershed Research

Title: Markets and values of non-timber forest products in the United States: a review, synthesis, and prioritization of future research

Author
item FREY, GREGORY - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item ALEXANDER, SUSAN - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item CHAMBERLAIN, JAMES - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item BLATNER, KEITH - Washington State University
item Coffin, Alisa
item BARLOW, REBECCA - Auburn University

Submitted to: Journal of Forestry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2019
Publication Date: 10/23/2019
Citation: Frey, G., Alexander, S., Chamberlain, J., Blatner, K., Coffin, A.W., Barlow, R. 2019. Markets and values of non-timber forest products in the United States: a review, synthesis, and prioritization of future research. Journal of Forestry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137165.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137165

Interpretive Summary: Although numerous and varied people harvest, trade, and consume nontimber forest products (NTFPs), relatively little is known about the economic organization of the markets for these products. The overall value or contributions to local and regional economies is also poorly understood. This article reviews and synthesizes economic research and information on the markets and values of NTFPs in the United States. We describe formal and informal markets for NTFPs, and the extent to which, and reasons why, many of the details of these markets remain hidden and unknown to researchers. We provide examples of the market and nonmarket values of various species. We identify information gaps and research needs to improve resource management and increase economic development.

Technical Abstract: Although numerous and varied users harvest, trade, and consume nontimber forest products (NTFPs), relatively little is known about the organization of the markets for these products, nor the overall value or contributions to local and regional economies. This article reviews and synthesizes economic research and information on the markets and values of NTFPs in the United States. We describe formal and informal markets for NTFPs, and the extent to which and reasons why many of the details of these markets remain hidden and unknown to researchers. We provide examples of the market and nonmarket values of various species. We identify information gaps and research needs to improve resource management and increase economic development.