Indigenous systems of forest classification: Understanding land use patterns and the role of NTFPs in shifting cultivators' subsistence economies
Indigenous systems of forest classification: Understanding land use patterns and the role of NTFPs in shifting cultivators' subsistence economies
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DOI：
10.1007/s00267-005-0097-2
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发表时间：
2006-04-01
影响因子：
3.5
通讯作者：
Delang, CO
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Delang, CO
本文讨论了泰国西部Thung Yai Naresuan野生动物保护区的Pwo Karen使用的森林类型分类系统，以及非木材森林产品（NTFPs）在Karen生计中的作用，重点是野生食用植物。本文认为，普卡伦人有两种森林分类方法，这与他们的刀耕火种的耕作方式密切相关。第一种是用于已经或可能被砍伐的林地，并根据生长条件对森林类型进行分类。第二个系统用于不适合耕种的土地，并查看土壤特性和坡度。文章估计了每种森林类型在收集野生食用植物方面的相对重要性。二零零四年十二月，本署共录得134种野生食用植物。它们占普卡伦人食用植物量的80-90%，每年的基本价值为11，505泰铢，相当于许多家庭的现金收入。文章认为，普卡伦依赖NTFP影响了他们的土地利用和森林管理的做法。然而，通过限制休耕期的长度，泰国政府已经引起了生态变化，这对克伦族维持生计的能力提出了挑战。由于忽视了轮垦者对这些产品的依赖，政府参与森林管理，特别是通过限制刀耕火种的耕作方法，可能会对这些社区的生计战略产生相当大的影响。
This article discusses the system of classification of forest types used by the Pwo Karen in Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in western Thailand and the role of nontimber forest products (NTFPs), focusing on wild food plants, in Karen livelihoods. The article argues that the Pwo Karen have two methods of forest classification, closely related to their swidden farming practices. The first is used for forest land that has been, or can be, swiddened, and classifies forest types according to growth conditions. The second system is used for land that is not suitable for cultivation and looks at soil properties and slope. The article estimates the relative importance of each forest type in what concerns the collection of wild food plants. A total of 134 wild food plant species were recorded in December 2004. They account for some 80-90% of the amount of edible plants consumed by the Pwo Karen, and have a base value of Baht 11,505 per year, comparable to the cash incomes of many households. The article argues that the Pwo Karen reliance on NTFPs has influenced their land-use and forest management practices. However, by restricting the length of the fallow period, the Thai government has caused ecological changes that are challenging the ability of the Karen to remain subsistence oriented. By ignoring shifting cultivators' dependence on such products, the involvement of governments in forest management, especially through restrictions imposed on swidden farming practices, is likely to have a considerable impact on the livelihood strategies of these communities.