Year of publication 2001

The purpose of this publication is to raise awareness on the importance of accurate and precise resource assessments at all levels of forest use for NWFPs, and to provide guidance on the design and selection of appropriate methods for resource quantification in different situations and for different products. It does so through the review and analysis of the wide range of approaches used and developed to date to measure NWFP resources. The book builds mostly on experiences in forest ecosystems in tropical countries, but we are convinced that it will be of relevance and use to all regions and all products. The prospective audience of this publication includes practitioners, researchers, natural resource managers and all development workers with an interest in sustainable forest utilization. This is a resource for people who want to know more about inventory for measuring and planning management of non-wood forest products (NWFPs). This publication is intended as reference material for practitioners considering inventory of NWFP resources. Through review and analysis of experience it provides information: on the range of approaches used and developed to date and their biometric adequacy; and to help the practitioner decide when biometric methods are necessary; to guide the design and selection of appropriate biometric methods for resource quantification in different situations and for different products.