Non-timber Forest Products Inventory Perspectives from the United States

Increasing interest in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) has led to their greaterrecognition in sustainable forest management planning. This is evident in local resourcemanagement plans for the Robson Valley in east-central British Columbia, where publicinput shows strong support for the sustainable development of NTFP harvesting.However, information needed to develop sustainable management guidelines for NTFPsis currently lacking. We, therefore, undertook an inventory of non-timber forest productplant and fungal species in the Robson Valley. The distribution and abundance of NTFPplant species was determined by ecosystem types as described by the BiogeoclimaticEcosystem Classification system used in British Columbia. Species with a relatively highabundance and commercial potential included the valuable medicinal plant Devil’s club(Oplopanax horridus), berry-producing species such as black huckleberry (Vacciniummembranaceum), and the edible ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris). Plants used forfloral greenery that are relatively abundant in certain ecosystem types included falsebox(Paxistima myrsinites), tall Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium), pearly everlasting(Anaphalis margaritacea), and conifer boughs, especially from western redcedar (Thujaplicata). We identified a number of fungal species noted for their food, medicinal,wildcrafting, industrial, or traditional uses. Among the important food mushrooms werecorded in the Robson Valley were pine mushroom (Tricholoma magnivelare),hedgehog mushroom (Hydnum repandum), and black morel (Morchella elata). Severalinformation gaps were identified. We recommend that future research focus on gatheringdetailed information about selected NTFP species. Information describing habitats,growth requirements, production levels, and response to harvesting is needed to developsustainable management strategies. Section 1; Non-timber forest products, Botanical