A SITUATION ANALYSIS ON THE PERCEPTION OF SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS IN TURKEY

One of the most important stakeholders in the sustainable management of non-wood forest products (NVVFP) is the forestry organization employees. In this study, the analysis of the perception, awareness and opinions of the forestry organization employees concerning the sustainable management of NWFPs was determined as the main aim. The study was conducted with a research pattern consisting of a questionnaire and semi-structured questions for employees at the level of employees, forest guards, office clerks and engineers within two different Regional Directorates of Forestry in Turkey. Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis H statistical analysis tests were utilized for determination of the differences of opinions based on the variables. In the research, statistically significant (p<0.05) differences of opinion were determined based on the sub-groups of variables of the regional directorate, activity, receiving training, occupation, educational background, and gender. Research results have proved that the number of NWFPs which are evaluated economically and are harvested in a controlled manner is very low. It has been determined that the forestry organization employees don't find the work on NWFP adequate and they are concerned about the sustainable management of NWFPs.