NTFPs and Crop Wild Relatives: Livelihoods and Climate Impacts
1. NTFPs and Crop Wild Relatives
Peter-John Meynell, Sansanee
Choowaew, Nguyen Huu Thien
31 October 2012
2. Non-Timber Forest Products
NTFPs = materials collected
and used to support local
livelihoods from
• natural or man-made forests and
riverine habitats.
Includes:
• forest and aquatic vegetables,
• fruit,
• traditional medicine products,
• wild animals
• insects
• aquatic organisms (fish,
mollusks, crustaceans)
• wood products for home
construction,
• fuel wood and charcoal
• handicraft products
5. Importance of NTFPs – livelihood value and income
• In Cambodia – export – Aquilaria resin – 4 ton, Strychnos seed – 214
Mt, Sterculia seed 50 Mt, Cinnamomum – 1.7 Mt, Lacquer 494 Mt,
Rattan 1,167 Mt
• In Vietnam – Mushrooms 900 Mt, Medicinal plants 856 Mt, star anise
5,000 Mt, essential oils 112 Mt. Cinnamon 3,000 Mt
• In Thailand – Lac 3723 Mt, Bamboo shoots 122 Mt, Gum 1,838 Mt,
Honey 1,503 Mt, Resins 65 Mt, Species 83 Mt.
• In Laos – Average household incomes $489 /yr – with fish $961/yr
6. Total NTFP value for Laos in 2009 estimated at $510 million
Average value per ha of protection forests =
7. Trends and Threats
• Increased market pressures on NTFP resources,
• Loss of forest habitat due to commercial logging and
conversion to agriculture,
• Destructive harvesting practices
• Rapid population growth and large population
movements over past 30 years
• Pressure on NTFPs due to growing insecurity on land
tenure and access rights
• Domestication of a number of NTFP species
Few studies on impacts of Climate Change on
NTFPs in the region
8. Linkages with other systems
+ Fertilizer/ soil conditioner
+ Gene bank/
+/- Gene flows – e.g. weedy rice
+/- Pest control/harbouring pests
+ Pollination
- Alien species
Livestock - Eutrophication Agriculture
- Landuse/habitat change
- Crop intensification
- Agricultural chemicals
+ Forage source
+ Food security, food delicacies
+ Appetite stimulant
+ Health/medicines
+ Wild species/domestication
+Income and livelihood source
+ Gene bank NTFPs +
+ Raw materials for construction/handicrafts
+Traditional medicines CWRs +
+Fuelwood/charcoal
- Diseases – bird flu Wild fish +Recreation and tourism
+ Cultural values
+Protection /management of natural systems
+ Habitat/refuge
+Spawn/feeding
Social
+Domestication of wild species
Aquaculture +
- Alien species
- Loss of habitat Livelihoods
- Pollution source
- Eutrophication
9. Normally NTFPs are This is not helpful for our
categorised by use: purposes, so we have used:
• Food • Mushrooms
• Medicines • Grasses and herbs
• Fibres • Aquatic plants
• Extracts and resins • Orchids
• Ornamentals • Bamboo and rattan
• Wood products and • Shrubs
charcoal • Trees
• Animal products • Insects
• Fish and other aquatic
animals (fisheries group)
10. We can not consider the impacts of climate change
on ALL the different NTFPs or CWRs -
Selection criteria
NTFPs CWRs
• Economic/Livelihood • Genetic importance for the
importance domesticated crop,
• Degree of threat • Known properties, e.g.
– from climate change – disease resistance,
– from economic development – optimal climatic or
• Availability of information – hydrological conditions
• Where and what type of
ecosystem they occur in?
11. Distribution of NTFPs chosen in 5 hotspot provinces
Province Kien Giang Mondul Kiri Gia Lai Chiang Rai Khammouan
4. High-elevation
3. Delta Low lying 6. Low-elevation 9. Mid-elevation 7. Low-mid ele
moist broadleaf
Ecozone acidic area swamp dry broadleaf dry broadleaf moist broadleaf
forest - North
forest forest forest forest
Indochina
12. Upper 4. High-elevation
2. Delta 9. Mid-elevation
floodplain moist broadleaf
NTFP Category Species Common name mangroves and dry broadleaf
wetland, lake (CS forest - North
saline water forest
to VTE) Indochina
Mushroom Russula sp x x x x
Grasses/herbs Ammomum spp False Cardamom x x x x
Aquatic plants Sesbania sesban Egyptian pea x x
Climbers Dioscorea hispida Bitter yam x x x
Orchids Dendrobium lindleyi x x x x
Rattans Calamus crispus x x x x
Shrubs Broussonetia papyrifera Paper mulberry x x x x
Trees Dipterocarpus alatus x x x x
Scaphium macropodum Malva nut x x
Sonneratia sp Mangrove apple x
Insects Apis dorsata Giant honeybee x x x x x
Red ants Red Ants x x x x
Crickets Crickets x x x x x
12. Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) - definition
• A wild plant closely related to
a domesticated plant,
• Geographic origins can be
traced to regions known
as Vavilov Centers.
• A wild ancestor of the
domesticated plant,
• An increasingly important
resource for improving
agricultural production and for
maintaining sustainable agro-
ecosystems.
Vavilov Centers
13. Why are CWRs important?
• To breed new varieties, we
need genetic diversity.
• CWRs are the largest source for
crop improvement,
• Richest source of diversity for
adaptive characteristics
• It is a largely untapped source
• Many crop wild relatives remain
– uncollected,
– unevaluated and
– unavailable to plant
breeders and to farmers,
• Many are also at risk of
extinction.
15. Distribution of wild rice species
Species Cambodia Laos Thailand Vietnam
Oryza granulate X
O. meyeriana X X
O. meyeriana var. granulate X X
O. meyeriana var. meyeriana X
O. nivara X X X X
O. officinalis X X X X
O. ridleyi X X X
O. rufipogon X X X X
Kien Giang Mondul Kiri Gia Lai Chiang Rai Khammouan
4. High-elevation
3. Delta Low lying 6. Low-elevation 9. Mid-elevation 7. Low-mid ele
moist broadleaf
acidic area swamp dry broadleaf dry broadleaf moist broadleaf
forest - North
forest forest forest forest
Indochina
12. Upper 4. High-elevation
2. Delta 9. Mid-elevation
floodplain moist broadleaf
mangroves and dry broadleaf
wetland, lake (CS forest - North
saline water forest
Wild Rice to VTE) Indochina
O. granulata x
O. nivara x x
O. officinalis x x
O. ridleyi
O. rufipogon x x
O. sativa/prosativa Floating rice An Giang
16. Species Vulnerability assessment method
Climate change vulnerability scoreand habitats in a climate change and
• Developed for wetlands species
Category interval 0.4 MRC Low High
wetlands study for
• Adapted for use with
Very High Vulnerability other NTFPs and CWRs 2.7 3
• Consists of:
High Vulnerability 2.3 2.6
a) Baseline vulnerability assessment of species characteristics, distribution,
Moderate Vulnerability and trends (i.e. without climate change)
range, threats 1.9 2.2
Low Vulnerability change vulnerability, through relevant CC1.5
b) Climate Threat, Exposure or 1.8
protection from climate extremes, Sensitivity of species, Adaptive
Very Low Vulnerability
capacity 1 1.4
• Comes up with a 5-point vulnerability score, ranging from very high
vulnerability to very low vulnerability to climate change
• Process forces assessor to think through the different aspects of
vulnerability
• Allows an expression of confidence in the assessment
18. Wild mushroom : Russula virescens
Habitats : lower part of Climate key threats
trees near ground of • Future average temperature range 27 –
deciduous, dry 37 °C is still within the optimal range
dipterocarp forests, during fruiting period
marshes, swamps
• Future maximum temperature 44 °C is
Fruiting : June-Oct. beyond the comfort zone, but may
peak at the end of rainy enhance the decay of leaf litter which
season become nutrients facilitating growth
Temperature range : • Reduced dry season rainfall and soil
30-38˚C moisture may affect sub-soil parts
80-90% air humidity • Increase of total rainfall in wet season
Rainfall : 1,350 mm/yr enhances availability & abundance
• Increased forest fires and loss of
associated tree species and habitats
Baseline vulnerability = 2.0 (Moderate) Climate change vulnerability = 2.0 (Moderate)
Prediction: Climate change is unlikely to increase the overall vulnerability
19. False cardamom - Amomum kravanh
• Perennial herb with thick rootstocks, growing 2 –
3.5 m high
• Moist riverine places within mixed 2ndry deciduous
and evergreen forests; Needs 50% forest cover
• Flowers: March – June; Fruits: June – August
• Fruit and seeds used for medicinal products esp.
export to China
Climate key threats
• Annual temperature change well beyond comfort
zone to 27 – 37C
• During flowering season temps increase from
30/31C to 35/36C. Soil moisture in April decreased,
May change the flowering patterns
• Fruiting season (June-August) less extreme
change with av. temps increasing from 26 to 30C
Baseline vulnerability = 2.0 (Moderate) CC Vulnerability = 2.3 (High
Vulnerability)
20. Asian bitter yam - Dioscorea hispida
• Perennial climber, up to 2 m long with system of
fibrous roots and tubers
• Grows in lowland evergreen and secondary forests
often with bamboo, up to 1,000m elevation
• Grows well in all soil types, but does best on moist
clay loam, under shade along streams
• Used and traded locally as food during food (rice)
shortages. Also used for medicinal purposes
Climate key threats
• Temperature changes within comfort zone
• Rainfall range well within comfort zone, and during
rains may increase growth
• Vegetative growth from tubers, good recovery after
droughts
• Extreme events – protected from wind and recovers
after fire
Baseline Vulnerability = 1.7 (Low Vulnerability) CC Vulnerability = 1.3 (Very Low)
Prediction Climate change may enhance the growth of Bitter Yam
21. Wild orchid : Dendrobium lindleyi
• Habitats : semi-epiphyte; attached with big trees in dry evergreen,
mixed deciduous, open forests; on high canopy
• Flowering : only in summer (February–May); flowers last only 4 – 5
days up to 1 week,
• Elevation range : 300-1,500 m asl; Temperature range : 7 – 32˚C
• Rainfall range : 965 – 1,550 mm/yr
• Wild orchid trading, high demand, high market price
Climate change threats
• Increased future average temperature range 27 – 37 °C well above
comfort zone,
• Average temperature during flowering period (February-May), and
maximum temperature 44 °C may affect growth and flowering
• Increase in temperature causes shifts of insect pollinators
• Decrease in rainfall during dry season enhances flowering and flowers
lasting period
• Extreme rainfall and high winds affect orchids that grow on high canopy
Baseline vulnerability = 2.2 (Vulnerable) CC vulnerability = 2.6 (High
Vulnerability)
22. Rattans : Calamus caesius
• Perennial, long life, multi-stems, clustering, in lowlands on alluvial flats,
riverbanks, moist evergreen, dry evergreen, peatswamp forests, also at
drier sites
• Alluvial soils up to 800 m asl
• New shoots germinate all year round; Fruiting : November-March
• Temperature range : optimal 23-30°C; absolute 16 – 34°C
• Rainfall range : optimal 2,500-3,200 mm/yr; absolute 1,700-4,200 mm/yr
• Used for handicrafts, shoots used for food
• Cultivation possible
Climate key threats
• Increase in total rainfall enhances growth
• Future maximum temperature 44 °C is beyond the comfort zone
• Decrease of dry season rainfall may affect growth and fruiting
• Possible increase in forest fires which destroy seedlings
• High adaptive capacity due to drought tolerance of extensive root
system
Baseline vulnerability = 2.2 (Moderate) CC vulnerability = 2.0 (Moderate)
Prediction: Climate change unlikely to increase vulnerability
23. Paper Mulberry - Broussonettia papyrifera
• Common, small shrubby deciduous tree. Fast growing
pioneer, spreads rapidly after clearance of forests,
sprouts after burning
• Grows on variety of soils and wide growing conditions
up to 1000 m. Sunlight and moisture demanding.
Cultivated along river banks
• Flowering May/June, fruiting Oct - Dec
• Bark used for paper making, medicines, leaves as
forage for livestock, woodfuel, mushroom cultivation
Climate key threats
• Flowering delayed by high temperatures and low soil
moisture, Lower rainfall/soil moisture in dry season
• Increased rainfall favours growth in wet season and
withstands floods
• Exposed to wind and extreme events, branches break
easily
Baseline Vulnerability = 1.7 (Low Vulnerability) CC Vulnerability = 1.9 (Moderate)
Prediction: Climate change may increase vulnerability slightly
24. Resin Tree : Dipterocarpus alatus
• Habitats : along riverbanks, bottom of ridges, swampy areas in dry
dipterocarp, dry evergreen, lower moist evergreen, semi-evergreen,
evergreen forests
• Flowering : March-May, Fruiting : April-June
• Resin collection : only in summer (April-May)
• Elevation range : 100-800 m asl
• Temperature range : optimal 22-32˚C, absolute 10-36˚C, can grow in
areas with max temperature up to 45 ˚C
• Rainfall range : optimal rainfall 3,500-4,500 mm/yr, absolute 3,000-
Climate key threats 5,200 mm/yr, found in areas 1,000-2,000 mm/yr
• increase in temperature enhances forest fire; forest fires kill seedlings and
lower volume and quality of resin/oil
• extreme events (storms and high winds) kill seedlings and affect the trees
which are improperly tapped and hole maintained
• extreme droughts enhance insect attacks (longhorn beetles) and also lower
seed germination rate
Baseline vulnerability = 2.2 (Moderate) CC vulnerability = 2.5 (High
Vulnerable)
25. Red Ants : Oecophylla smaragdina
• Habitats : arboreal, delimited territories, live/nest on a great variety of
trees/leaves in big colony in deciduous dipterocarp forests, plantations
• Ant eggs collection : dry season (December-May) Most popular food
insect, high demand, high market price
• Elevation range : <1,000 m asl Rainfall : 1,350 mm/yr
• Temperature range : 10-40˚C; 30˚C is optimal for feeding
• Quick population recovery, short regeneration time, live in big colony,
strong defensive mechanism; delimited territories with wide range of
habitats; occupy a great variety of trees in both natural and plantation
areas; good adaptability to the environment; specialized in nest
building to avoid damage by rains/winds
Climate key threats
• Increase in temperature and future maximum temperature 44 °C affect feeding, enhance
forest fires which affect ants abundance
• Decrease dry season rainfall and soil moisture enhances population and abundance
• Increase in total rainfall affects the nests (disease occurs), population, movement, feeding
habits
• Heavy rains, high winds affect ants’ nests and population
Baseline vulnerability = 1.7 (Low vulnerability) CC vulnerability = 1.8 (Low vulnerability)
Prediction: Climate change will have little effect upon vulnerability
26. Application of method to other hotspot areas
• Method has been applied for NTFP and CWR
species in Kien Giang
• Will be applied in other hotspot areas
• Will be able to compare the response of the same
NTFPs to different CC threats
27. Province Kien Giang Mondul Kiri Gia Lai Chiang Rai Khammouan
Diversity of 3. Delta Low lying 6. Low-elevation 9. Mid-elevation
4. High-elevation
7. Low-mid ele
moist broadleaf
Ecozone acidic area swamp dry broadleaf dry broadleaf moist broadleaf
NTFP forest forest forest
forest - North
forest
Indochina
vunerabilities 2. Delta 9. Mid-elevation
12. Upper 4. High-elevation
floodplain moist broadleaf
NTFP Category Species Common name mangroves and dry broadleaf
wetland, lake (CS forest - North
saline water forest
to VTE) Indochina
Mushroom Russula sp Russula mushroom x x x x
Grasses/herbs Ammomum spp False Cardamom x x x x
Aquatic plants Sesbania sesban Egyptian pea x x
Climbers Dioscorea hispida Bitter yam x x x
Orchids Dendrobium lindleyi Orchid x x x x
Rattans Calamus crispus Rattan x x x x
Shrubs Broussonetia papyrifera Paper mulberry x x x x
Trees Dipterocarpus alatus Resin tree x x x x
Sonneratia casseolaris Mangrove apple x
Insects Apis dorsata Giant honeybee x x x x x
Oecophylla smaragdina Red Ants x x x x
CWRs Wild Rice
O. granulata x
O. nivara x x
O. officinalis x x
O. rufipogon x x
O. sativa/prosativa Floating rice An Giang
CC Vulnerability
Very high
High
Moderate
Low
Very Low
28. In conclusion
• Our assessment highlights the wide range of
responses of NTFP species to CC threats
• Some may be enhanced, others will be even more
threatened
• This method highlights the biological response of a
single species
• It does not really address the interdependency of
different species in a forest assemblage
• Big question is how to assess the impacts in whole
ecosystems
