Forest Dwellers’ Dependence on Forest Resources in Semi-Arid Environments

Beytollah Mahmoudi (), Eric Ng, Davood Mafi-Gholami and Fatemeh Eshaghi
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Beytollah Mahmoudi: Department of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord 88186-34141, Iran
Eric Ng: School of Business, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
Davood Mafi-Gholami: Department of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord 88186-34141, Iran
Fatemeh Eshaghi: Department of Forestry and Forest Economic, University of Tehran, Karaj 4111, Iran

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Forests remain an important resource in Iran, as most of the livelihood activities of local communities, especially in the semi-arid environment of the Zagros forests, are dependent on forest resources. The aim of this study was to identify the type and extent of forest dependency. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from 170 households in Central Zagros. Results show that using firewood for fuel and non-fuel uses, harvesting edible and medicinal plants, agriculture and horticulture, and livestock grazing were the main forest livelihood activities undertaken by the households in the study area. On average, each household harvested 18.08 cubic meters of oak per year for water heating (bathing), baking bread, heating, cooking, heating milk and buttermilk, agricultural tools, house building, warehouses and shelters, fencing, branches for livestock, charcoal and harvesting firewood for sale. Of rural households, 72% used edible plants, and 86% used medicinal plants. Age, job, residence status, number of livestock, crop farming and household size were found to be correlated with forest dependency. Findings from this study contribute broadly to an integrated understanding of the bio-human dimensions of forest ecosystems, with specific reference to the study area.

Keywords: forest dwellers; forest products; Central Zagros forests; Iran (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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