Assessment of the Potential of Non-timber Forest Products for Nature-positive Recovery in Georgia
Forests are a key domain of the Earth’s biodiversity. About 400 species of trees and shrubs grow in the natural forests of Georgia, which account for about 95-98% of the total forested area. Of these, 61 species are endemic to Georgia, and another 43 are endemic to the Caucasus (CENN, 2014). The forests of Georgia are included in the “priority places” of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and are considered biodiversity hotspots as defined by Conservation International. This, coupled with the conservation value of Georgian forests, determines its economic value as conservation provides ecosystem services vital for dependencies of industries on natural capital (i.e. eco-tourism, NTFPs, protective services, protection services, etc.).
Georgia’s forests provide vital resources to the country’s population on a continual basis; they support the operation of many sectors of the economy, the well-being of local communities, poverty reduction, and the establishment of a favourable environment for the country’s sustainable growth.
The study's goal is to evaluate the potential for commercial application of non-timber forest products in the Guria region.