Economy and livelihoods

 

Summary

Forests and woodlands contribute economic benefits which help to sustain people’s livelihoods. These benefits are delivered through a range of activities, such as timber production, harvesting of non-timber forest products (plants and animals) as well as recreation and tourism.

As the economy changes in response to different global, national and local forces, the ways in which forests and woodland support economic development must also alter. Increasingly, non-timber forest products and recreation and tourism are seen as having a key role to play in sustaining rural and urban livelihoods. However, the links between these uses and economic well-being are poorly understood.

Forest Research is therefore taking forward a number of research projects which explore the links between forests, woodlands, and economic development.

Research objectives

These research projects aim to develop understanding of the current and potential role of forests and woodlands in a post-industrial economy. In particular this involves focusing on how non-timber forest products and recreation and tourism can diversify the economic base of rural and urban areas and create forestry activity which is responsive to the needs of consumers but also which maximises the economic benefits received by local communities in the areas in which forests and woodlands are located.

Funders and partners

The Forestry Commission (Forestry Group) is funding research which explores the current and potential role of forestry in the tourism sector. The Economic and Statistics Unit in the Forestry Commission also carries out a range of research exploring the ways in which forests and woodlands provide income and jobs to society.

Forestry Commission England is working with Forest Research to fund research to understand the market for small wood products.

The European Union is funding research to understand the problems and possible solutions in forest based entrepreneurship in rural areas.

Scottish Forestry Trust, Scottish Enterprise, Forestry Commission and Forest Research are funding research to understand the role of non-timber forest products in rural and urban livelihoods. Alison Dyke, non-timber forest product consultant and Dr Marla Emery, of the US Forest Service are collaborating with Forest Research on this project.

Forestry Commission policy

Economic issues are an important concern of Sustainable Forest Management. Forestry Commission is working to develop policies and practices which maximise the economic benefit of forestry to society.

Products and services

Forest Research provides the following social research services:

• Advice on the design and conduct of qualitative research exploring the role of woodlands in the economy and livelihoods
• Research design and management capability

Status

Current activities:

• Wild Harvests From Scottish Woodlands: understanding the social, cultural and economic value of contemporary non-timber forest products.
  This collaborative research project between Forest Research, US Forest Service and Alison Dyke started in August 2004.  The field work has now been completed and the final report will be available in Spring 2006.
• Leisure Landscapes: understanding the role of forests and woodlands in the tourism sector.
  Work by the Forest Research Social and Economic Research Group, which aims to understand the current and potential role of forests and woodlands in the tourism sector.
• Economic Integration of Urban Consumer Demand and Rural Forestry Production.
  Forest Research is one of several organisations taking part in an EU funded COST Action (E30) which will provide a better understanding of the problems and possible solutions in forest based entrepreneurship in rural areas. Includes an analysis of these issues in relation to recreation and tourism.
• Understanding consumer views on woodland products.
  Work funded by Forestry Commission England and managed by Forest Research, to understand the market for a range of small scale sustainable wood products, for example sustainably and domestically produced charcoal.
• INNOFORCE - Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in forest recreation and tourism
  This project is run by the EFI centre in Vienna.  It brings together 23 research organisations from 18 different countries to conduct research on innovation and entrepreneurship in relation to forestry policy and the forestry-wood chain.  The aim is to enhance the sustainability of the forest sector and contribute to rural development. Forest Research is a participant in Work Area 2 which explores innovation and entrepreneurship in forest recreational service provision.
  Details

Related work carried out by others:

• Forests Role in Tourism.
  Research carried out by Forestry Commission Economics and Statistics Unit exploring the economic contribution of forestry to the tourism sector.
• Valuing the Social and Environmental Benefits of Forestry.
  Research managed by Forestry Commission Economics and Statistics Unit to quantify the non-market social and environmental contribution of forestry to society.

Contact

For more information contact:

David Edwards
Forest Research
Alice Holt Lodge
Farnham
Surrey GU10 4LH

Tel: 01420 22255
Fax: 01420 23563
Email: david.edwards@forestry.gsi.gov.uk