Approaches to the economic valuation of non-timber products from the Alto Paraná Atlantic forests, Paraguay

Abstract Introduction: The economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by forests is a necessary effort for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Objective: Estimating the economic direct use value expressed by non-timber forest products (NTFPs) of the Alto Paraná Atlantic forests, Paraguay. Materials and methods: The study was carried out in a 1-ha permanent monitoring plot and the direct market price method was used. Non-timber species were identified and classified according to their uses, they were prioritized according to commercial importance and national market reference prices were applied. Results and discussion: A total of 36 species with potential non-timber uses (medicinal, ornamental, food and handicraft) were identified, among which the following were prioritized: Didymochlaena truncatula (Sw.) J. Sm., Miltonia sp., Oeceoclades maculata (Lindl.) Lindl., Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum (Schott. ex Endl.) Sakur., Calazans & Mayo, Billbergia nutans H. Wendl. ex Regel, Acianthera sp. and Chusquea ramosissima Lindm. The medicinal category was the strongest category (71 %). The economic value of the prioritized NTFPs with ornamental uses and market prices per unit was 2 270 USD∙ha-1. Conclusions: The economic value of NTFPs from the Alto Paraná Atlantic forests represents a reference value indicating the important role of non-timber products in the sustainable management of tropical forests.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Peralta-Kulik,Natalia, Amarilla Rodríguez,Stella Mary, Pérez de Molas,Lidia, González Villalba,Jorge
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Coordinación de Revistas Institucionales 2023
Online Access:http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2007-40182023000300061
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Summary:Abstract Introduction: The economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by forests is a necessary effort for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Objective: Estimating the economic direct use value expressed by non-timber forest products (NTFPs) of the Alto Paraná Atlantic forests, Paraguay. Materials and methods: The study was carried out in a 1-ha permanent monitoring plot and the direct market price method was used. Non-timber species were identified and classified according to their uses, they were prioritized according to commercial importance and national market reference prices were applied. Results and discussion: A total of 36 species with potential non-timber uses (medicinal, ornamental, food and handicraft) were identified, among which the following were prioritized: Didymochlaena truncatula (Sw.) J. Sm., Miltonia sp., Oeceoclades maculata (Lindl.) Lindl., Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum (Schott. ex Endl.) Sakur., Calazans & Mayo, Billbergia nutans H. Wendl. ex Regel, Acianthera sp. and Chusquea ramosissima Lindm. The medicinal category was the strongest category (71 %). The economic value of the prioritized NTFPs with ornamental uses and market prices per unit was 2 270 USD∙ha-1. Conclusions: The economic value of NTFPs from the Alto Paraná Atlantic forests represents a reference value indicating the important role of non-timber products in the sustainable management of tropical forests.