Non-wood forest products and Ecosystem services
Forest ecosystems provides an array of goods and services that contributes to the well-being of the population. Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) are an important income for the rural areas but also part of the forest recreation and of cultural heritage. Recent surveys shows that in Europe, the total value of NWFPs collected each year amounts to 71% of the value of annual roundwood production. However, and due to the poor data on their collection and use as well as the lack of management techniques for maximizing their quantity and quality, they are often ignored in forest policy and management decisions. Our research line insides in the interaction between the NWFPs and the ecosystem services that they are providing.
