This regional study presents an overview of the socio-economic importance and ecological impact of the use of non-wood forest products (NWFP) in the Near East. The document consists of two main parts: i) presentation of background information on the programme activities and analysis of the available information on the regional level; and ii) presentation of data on NWFP on the national level (so-called "country profiles").
The country profiles were originally compiled to be made available on the FAO Web site. However, taking into consideration the limited access to the Internet in various countries, it has been decided to publish, in addition, a hardcopy version of the country profiles and to add a regional analysis of the data.
Most of the data presented in this report are indicative figures, which have been collected in published and unpublished reports, and therefore do not represent official statistics. The results presented show that qualitative and quantitative information on NWFP at the national level is still weak. It is hoped that this report will support the on-going process of data improvement on NWFP. Improved data is considered to be essential to ensure that the use and importance of NWFP is adequately taken into consideration by decision-makers, land-use planners, politicians, or other concerned experts. Additional information and comments from readers to improve data on NWFP in Near Eastern countries would be very much appreciated. The authors of the country profiles will be duly acknowledged in the Web version. Information and comments can be sent to:
Non-Wood Forest Products
Programme
Forest Products Division, Forestry Department,
FAO
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel:
+39-06-570-52746 or -53853; Fax: + 39-0657055618
www.fao.org/forestry/FOP/FOPW/NWFP/nwfp-e.stm
During the last two years, various colleagues have been involved in the compilation and finalisation of the NWFP country profiles. At FAO Headquarters, Alexia Baldascini, Tina Etherington, Helena Kästel, Liana Micotti, Laura Russo and Paul Vantomme contributed to the collection, analysis and editing of the information presented.
Technical supervision was provided by Mr Tom O.M. Bazuin, Associate Scientist, Forest Genetic Resources at the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Regional Office for Central, West Asia and North Africa, Aleppo, Syria and Mr Riad Baalbaki, Chairperson and Associate Professor, Crop Production and Protection Department, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
Their efforts are appreciated.
It is hoped that readers will find this publication useful and that it will be a start to continuously update the information on NWFP.