Non-Timber Forest Products (NFTP's)

Iwokrama examines the integrated utilisation of all forest resources. Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP's - or, in Iwokrama's delimited use of this term, Non-Timber Plant Products [NTPP's]) is another of our major research areas. These are seen as having good potential for generating income for hinterland communities and also a key component in the sustainable management of species-rich tropical forest.

Investigation in this area has included the following ecological and economic studies:

Crabwood Oil

A study in collaboration with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology of the UK . The study is examining the crabwood oil producing areas of Guyana to determine the profitability of this enterprise. ... more

Kufa and Nibbi Lianas, Balata and Haiawa Resin

A market feasibility study of these three NTFP's and others was conducted by an external consultant taking into consideration economic, social and ecological factors. Kufa and Nibbi are lianas (canes) harvested to manufacture furniture and handicrafts. Balata is a natural latex from the Bulletwood tree, that used to be part of the production of many items such as telephone cable insulation and golf balls, but is now largely limited to use in handicrafts. Haiawa is a natural resin from two forest trees that has been used in the production of essential oils.

An ecological study on the effects of balata harvesting on the populations of the source trees (e.g. Bulletwood) was also conducted - a Ph.D. thesis by University of the West of England postgraduate Lorna Hall, supervised by the Forest Ecology Unit.

A preliminary ecological study on host tree attributes that are potentially limiting to the establishment of the liana Heteropsis flexuosa has also been completed. This was final year B.Sc. (Environmental Science) dissertation by University of the West of England student Nicholas Paul White, supervised by the Forest Ecology Unit.

Palm Leaves

An ecological and process study of the density of harvestable palm leaves - a final year B.Sc. (Environmental Science) report by University of the West of England final year student Tamsyn Butler , supervised by the Forest Ecology Unit.