The Importance of Non-timber Forest Products in Rural Livelihoods and Ecosystem Services at Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia

Abstract

This study aims to answer the research questions as follows: What is the current context of Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary (PPWS)? Where are the most accessible sites of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) over the landscape of PPWS? Who are NTFPs-dependent people? What is the importance of NTFPs in rural livelihoods? What is the contribution of NTFPs in ecosystem services? Analyzed the NTFPs endowment, the open access simulation model was applied. From the 310 sample households, NTFPs dependency and intensity were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Cross tabulation was applied to identify the main users of NTFPs. The role of NTFPs in rural livelihoods and ecosystem services were discussed. The simulation result clearly shows that NTFPs are rich over the landscape, which local people can easily access. Among many types of NTFPs, eight of them are considered as the most importance for rural livelihoods including liquid resin, solid resin, bamboo shoot, bamboo poles, wild honey, orchid flower, fuelwood, and Prich leaf (Melientha suavis Pierre). Around 93% of sampled households collect NTFPs for foods, cash incomes, house construction, and farm equipment. NTFPs are the resources not only for the poor but also to all rural households at PPWS. Some of NTFPs also contribute to ecosystem services.