Socioeconomic factors affecting non-timber forest product collection in the Komi Republic, Russia.

There is continued interest in the effects of socioeconomic factors on the collection of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) across the world. Studies in both developing and developed countries have found that, socioeconomic factors can describe why and how stakeholders collect NTFPs. This study was conducted to determine key socioeconomic factors that influence the collection of non-timber forest products in the Komi Republic, Russia, which is historically, politically, ecologically, economically and socially different from both developing and developed countries. This study used qualitative methods (participant observation, focus groups, informal interviews, document review) and quantitative (questionnaires) methods. The results indicated that, in the Komi Republic, gender affected the collection of firewood and chaga, while education l level affected the collection firewood, berries, birch bark and birch sap. However, age, occupational type, household size and income level did not affect the collection of NTFPs. The study found that while women and men collect NTFPs for the same reasons, they use NTFPs differently within the household. The study also found that culture and alcoholism have a significant effect on NTFP collection. The results of this study contribute to the body of knowledge on the general role of NTFPs in rural livelihoods and key socioeconomic factors that affect NTDFP collection in the Komi Republic.--P.ii.