Overview of Forestry Projects in Iran and Reasons for a Transformation from an Economic to Ecological Perspective
Subject Areas : FOREST ecology
Hanifreza Golzar
1
(1Senior Researcher, Soil and Water Research Institute, Tehran Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran)
Elham Sedighi
2
(Lecturer, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran)
Keywords: Climate Change, Hyrcanian forest, Ecosystem Services, forestry, eco forestry,
Abstract :
An economic perspective dominates the codification of "forestry plans" in Iran such that the main product and the management structure has focused solely on habitats capable of producing wood. This article critiques the current definitions, a one-sided function of forestry in Iran, and its impacts on forests. Along with it, a new definition of forestry is presented, in which the ecological view predominates over the economic perspective. The present paper is an analytical-descriptive study obtained through a literature review, expert sessions, and practical experiences of current forestry in Iran. According to the results, Iran's forest management needs "ecological forestry" projects instead of "economic forestry," in which forest benefits are viewed holistically. In contrast to treating forests as only producers of wood, all functions and ecosystem services of forests such as carbon fixation, water purification, prevention of soil erosion, desertification, drought, etc., are also absolutely valuable. With this change, not only economic wood forests, but all forests in Iran have their special place to be considered in the management plans. Also, "forestry engineering" is not in charge of forest affairs alone, and forests need to be handled with interdisciplinary projects and experts from different fields.
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