Abstract:

Based on field survey data from four pilot ethnic communities，the structure and composition of indigenous uses of forest resources were analyzed in adjacent areas of Gaoligongshan (Nujiang) National Nature Reserve in northern section of Nujiang watershed.There are generally four kinds of indigenous uses of forest resources in the watershed，i.e.，building wood，fuelwood，farmland fencing wood，and nonwood forest products (NWFPs).Annual consumption of building wood was computed based on time cycle of house constructing that was identified according to its frequency distribution.Annual fuelwood consumption was converted from measured weight of fuelwood using 1.5 times of air dry density as a conversion agent.Results show that the consumption of building wood is 0.10 m³/a per capita，fuelwood is 3.87 m³/a per capita，and farmland fencing wood is 0.019 m³/a per capita.Annual NWFP collection amounts to 73.95 kg per household.The largest consumption of forest resource is fuelwood，rather than building wood or farmland fencing wood as popularly accepted.That traditional recognition may result from the retention of logwalled and woodtiled houses or farmland fences，and large flow but small inventory of fuelwood.Surveyed communities are typical in terms of geographic location，population/household scale，and nationality composition in the northern section of Nujiang watershed.Study results can be used for sustainable management of forest resources in the region，and for scientific management of Gaoligongshan (Nujiang) National Nature Reserve.

Key words: forest resources/indigenous use/ nature conservation/ Nujiang watershed