Livelihood dependency of villagers on non-timber forest products in Khosrou Shirin region of Abadeh, Fars province, Iran

Non-timber forest products have an important role in the economy of rural household and income of this sector have a large portion of the total household income. Therefore, this study has been conducted to investigate the role of non-timber forest products on the livelihoods and income of villagers. So, questionnaires were used for data collection. First, the validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts and then the reliability of them was determined by Cronbachchr(chr('39')39chr('39'))s alpha coefficient. The statistical population of this study was 607 households which among them 200 questionnaires were completed. The results of this study showed that 14 non-timber products with different pharmacological, edible, and industrial uses are consumed by the locals. According to the results, the average harvested products were 4.71 kg, the average consumed products were 0.50 kg and the average annual income of non-timber products was 17.99 million Rials. The results of the Spearman correlation test showed that there is a significant positive relationship between income and harvest education of non-timber products. In addition, there is a significant positive relationship between income from non-timber products and migration prevention, as well as between employment in the non-timber products sector and the cost of harvesting (p≤0.05). Based on results, in the study area, 38% of the income of non-wood products harvest is related to Allium Jesdianum plant and followed by Allium akaka with 32% which has the greatest effect on income.