When the NTFP is the seed or the fruit, the effects of intensive
harvesting on genetic structure may be high, especially if the
seed/fruit are harvested by tree felling (Vásquez and Gentry,
1989). The harvest of fruit could lead to dysgenic selection (e.g.,
seed of the fruit of only the poor-tasting, non-collected individuals
remain in stands to establish the next generation) or positive selection
(e.g., seed are discarded from the fruit of superior, collected
trees in locations suitable for germination and establishment)
(Leakey et al., 2004). The human harvest of fruit could also lead
to a reduction in number of animal seed dispersers, reducing
genetic connectivity in populations and increasing the prospects
for future inbreeding depression (Lowe et al., 2005). Where the
NTFP is harvested non-destructively and is not the seed or fruit,
impacts may depend more on harvesting impacts on forest regeneration
dynamics generally