Ethnobotany at work: Restoration and rural livelihoods

The analog forestry approach

• Restoration method that aims to recreate native forest structure and function

• Emphasis on use of economically productive species

• Goals include increased food security, environmental protection, and quality of life

Analog forestry method

• Design based on native forest structure, as described by a physical analysis

• Species are chosen to fill structural niches and economic needs, while bringing economic and other benefits

Analog Forestry: Finca Fila Marucha• Former pastureland

reforested with a variety of native and non-native species

• High biodiversity as the basis of an essential oils business

Analog Forestry: Pedro Ferreira• Community leader in

the Dominican Republic

• Switched over to fruit and timber production

• Farm now serves as regional demonstration site

Rich Forests

• Coalition led by Dutch NGOs and business groups

• Aims to encourage investment in community production of NTFPs

Rich Forests

• Around 1 billion people rely on forest for their livelihoods worldwide

• Investing in local production and harvesting can help stem the tide of land grabs and plantation agriculture in many parts of the world

Trade in Forest Products

• NTFPs are some of the most widely traded commodities in the world

• Especially in the tropics, NTFPs such as rubber, tea, cacao and coffee are important income sources

Forest Garden Product Certification• Certification geared

toward production from forested areas with high biodiversity

• Based on Organic and Fair Trade certifications

Sateré Mawé, Brazil

• Indigenous farmer group

• Produce wild-harvested guaraná for the European market

• FGP certification allows their product to fetch a premium price

Forest Garden Tea

• Tea gardens in Sri Lanka that blend tea production with traditional forest garden practices

• Production for both local and international markets

Role of Ethnobotany

• IAFN’s knowledge management is based on exchanging information related to landscape restoration

• This exchange of information helps people design analog forestry systems

Role of Ethnobotany

• Documenting and applying local knowledge can have many benefits

• Biodiversity restoration and agroforestry require an ethnobotanical “toolkit”

“Exotic” plants?

• Many restoration projects have benefited from introducing non-native plants

• These species may have economic or restoration benefits

• Their introduction must be managed with care

IAFN Plant Database

• Initiative to come online in 2014, database of plant species from IAFN partners worldwide

• Aim is to provide resource for restoration in different bio-regions

Learn more!

• IAFN and our partners are always looking for students wanting to apply their knowledge of ethnobotany, restoration ecology, community development or related fields

• We are looking at ways to support independent research projects through logistical support and scholarships

• For more information, contact Adam Kabir Dickinson, kabir@analogforestry.org

• See also: www.analogforestry.org and www.richforests.org

• Check out our forum and newsletter!