Resumen de Forest protection policy: Lesson learned from Arasbaran biosphere reserve in Northwest Iran
Samira Sasanifar, Ahmad Alijanpour, Abbas Banj Shafiei, Javad Eshaghi Rad, Morteza Molaei, Hossein Azadi
Protection policy of forests is an important strategy to improve quantitative and qualitative characteristics of forest stands and their services. In addition, the concurrence of global climate change and the decline in natural resources has led scientists to focus on the sustainable development of forest land use. Unfortunately, the allocation of different uses to land has led to urbanization, industrialization, and environmental risks. Forty-five years of forest protection policy in Arasbaran Biosphere Reserve, Northwest of Iran, has created a venue to assess the effectiveness of forest conservation-based management. For this purpose, by using random systematic sampling methodology, 132 samples (66 sample plots in the protected area and 66 sample plots in the unprotected area) with a total area of 300 square meters were collected in the northern slopes. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of woody species in each plot, as well as regeneration frequency, were recorded. Topsoil samples were also collected, and some soil characteristics were measured. Biodiversity indices were calculated for tree species using the inventory collected data. Results revealed that parameters such as diameter at the breast height (DBH), basal area (BA), proportions of seed-origin stems, total height, crown’s height, and canopy area were significantly higher in the protected area (p < 0.05). In addition, the status of soil parameters in the protected area was better. In addition, tree regeneration (number per hectare) is higher in the unprotected area in comparison to the protected area. In conclusion, the forest protection policy in Arasbaran biosphere was evaluated 'successful' in terms of amending some forest characteristics indicative of the stand sustainability in forest land via reduction of and/or compensation for anthropogenic damages to the environment.
