Underutilized Non-Timber Forest Products in Ethiopia: socioeconomic, status and yield potential

Abstract

Ethiopia is rich in biodiversity; however, the diversity of plants is highly threatened. Consequently, many of the Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) with significant potential for rural livelihood improvement are unvalued, underutilized, and threatened. Moreover, the NTFPs are neglected and not included in Ethiopia's forest management plans and strategies. Then again, location based specific studies related to the NTFPs production are scarce in the country. They would be key to assist the rural communities in their food security and income generation through the sustainable management, use and conservation of valuable species strategies in their natural habitat. Thus, in this doctoral thesis, we aimed to generate information on the socioeconomic, population status, and yield potential of underutilized NTFP producing tree species and wild edible mushrooms in Ethiopia.