563 Abstract This chapter reflects on the major findings of the lead authors of this book regarding traditional forest-related knowledge (TFRK) using five criteria for distinguishing the unique character of traditional knowledge: (1) its attention to sustainability; (2) relationships to land; (3) identity; (4) reciprocity; and (5) limi- tations on market involvement. Following an explanation of these criteria, we discuss the definition of “traditional forest-related knowledge,” with some remarks Chapter 15 The Unique Character of Traditional Forest-Related Knowledge: Threats and Challenges Ahead* Ronald L. Trosper, John A. Parrotta, Mauro Agnoletti, Vladimir Bocharnikov, Suzanne A. Feary, Mónica Gabay, Christian Gamborg, Jésus García Latorre, Elisabeth Johann, Andrey Laletin, Lim Hin Fui, Alfred Oteng-Yeboah, Miguel Pinedo-Vasquez, P.S. Ramakrishnan, and Youn Yeo-Chang R.L. Trosper (*) Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada e-mail: rltrosper@email.arizona.edu J.A. Parrotta U.S. Forest Service, Research and Development, Arlington, VA, USA e-mail: jparrotta@fs.fed.us M. Agnoletti Dipartimento di Scienze e Teconolgie Ambientali Forestali, Facoltà di Agraria, Università di Firenze, Florence, Italy e-mail: mauro.agnoletti@unifi.it V. Bocharnikov Pacific Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Science, Vladivostok, Russia e-mail: vbocharnikov@mail.ru S.A. Feary Conservation Management, Vincentia, NSW, Australia e-mail: suefeary@hotkey.net.au M. Gabay Directorate of Forestry, Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development, Buenos Aires, Argentina e-mail: monagabay@yahoo.com *This chapter is the outcome of a meeting of the lead authors of this book held in at the headquar- ters of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations in Mariabrunn, Austria, November 8–10, 2010 (Fig. 15.1). J.A. Parrotta and R.L. Trosper (eds.), Traditional Forest-Related Knowledge: Sustaining Communities, Ecosystems and Biocultural Diversity, World Forests 12, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-2144-9_15, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. (outside the USA) 2012