Zoning, zones management and landscape design periphery of Iranian ancient trees (Case study: Mongabad Mehriz old cedar)

Subject Areas : Ecosystems

Mohammad hadi Rad ¹ , Mohammad hosan Irannejad parizii ² , Saed Reza Mahdavi ³ , Amin Yeganeh ⁴

1 - Assistant Prof, Forest and Rangeland Division, Yazd Agricultural and Natural Resource Research and Education Center, (AREEO), Yazd, Iran. *(Corresponding author)
2 - Assistant Prof, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.
3 - M.Sc, Yazd Governorate, Yazd, Iran.
4 - M.Sc. Former Student in Urbanism, Yazd Azad University, Yazd, Iran.

Received: 2019-07-22 Accepted : 2020-04-15 Published : 2022-02-20

Keywords: National natural heritage, Carrying capacity, Promenade, Ecological sustainability, IUCN Classification,

Abstract :

Background and Objective: Old trees are considered as rich genetic resources and valuable natural monuments. Among the old trees, the natural heritage of Mongabad Mehriz old cedar has always been the attention of people in Yazd province, especially the people of Mehriz city, Iran. For the management and conservation of this tree, zoning, zones management planning and landscape design were needed and necessary. Material and Methodology: The base of this classified was IUCN classification and its match to the realities and comprehensive plan of the Mehriz city. Due to the review of the resources and conditions available, the perimeter of the cedar was classified in a range of 300m in different zones, contains management and recreational zones. Board capacity was also calculated for recreational activities in the tree area. Findings: The results of zoning studies showed that 4 zones as management zones and 2 zones as recreational zones are of special importance and should be considered. Management zones include restricted nature zone, protected zone, shield Zone, and other uses zone were with an area of 2826, 5024, 23550 and 251200 m2 respectively. Type I and II type promenade zone were 11664 and 15000m2. By mapping and identifying the physical status all of the zones, the necessary proposals for each one of the zones were presented. In this regard ecological sustainability of the environment and tree health were considered. Based on this view, in order to organize the tree for the promenade, the landscape design (with the maximum maintenance of the existing green space and surrounding monuments) was taken. The capacity of the range for recreational activities were estimated at 276 people per day. Discussion and Conclusion: The results showed that although activities performed in the recent years around the cedar have been the main and influential factor on tree health, but by designing and implementing management and recreation programs in the form of proposed zones, it is possible to rebuild with a focus on tree health and tourism boom.

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