One popular approach to merging these two goals is to extract non-wood products, such as fibers for construction, edible fruits and nuts, and oils for perfumes and medicines, from forests. This study is one of the first to test this assumption. The lower understory stem densities and different microclimatic conditions resulting from the lower, more open forest canopy and simplified understory structure appears to have altered the suitability of managed forest as avian habitat. For example, stems of the diameters used by local species are virtually absent. In contrast, insect specialists revealed no such response.
Fieldwork is complete and data analysis and writing are underway.
These results will form an important contribution towards more sustainable models of forest use. Ecological Perspectives on Sustainable Harvest of Non-Timber Forest Products. Hiraoka, M. and F. Kahn, eds. Lisboa, P., ed. Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi, Publ.