نوع مقاله : علمی- پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دکتری جنگلداری، دانشکده منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه گیلان، صومعه سرا، ایران
2 نویسنده مسئول، دانشیار، گروه جنگلداری، دانشکده منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه گیلان، صومعهسرا، ایران
3 دانشیار، بخش تحقیقات جنگلها و مراتع، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی استان کردستان، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج
4 دانشیار، گروه سنجش از دور و GIS، واحد علوم و تحقیقات، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Background and objectives: The Zagros forests are among the most crucial natural ecosystems in Iran, playing a vital role in the country's economic and ecological development, as well as in the conservation of water and soil resources. These forests, which once covered over 10 million hectares, have suffered degradation and a reduction in area due to unsustainable exploitation over many years. Kermanshah Province, in the northern Zagros region, with 646,514 hectares of forest cover, representing 25% of the province's area, is of particular importance. Until now, the ecosystem's cultural services (such as the intangible benefits people receive through recreation, contemplation, and aesthetic experiences) have received less attention. This research aims to investigate the SWOT analysis framework and provide practical and managerial solutions and strategies for utilizing cultural services in Javanrud County.
Methodology: This was a descriptive-analytical study conducted in Javanrud County, situated in the northwest of Kermanshah Province. The statistical population included 90 experts and specialists at the county level (35 local stakeholders), as well as the provincial and national levels (55 cultural heritage and natural resources experts). Participants were selected using a purposive sampling method based on the Cochran formula with a 10% error margin. Data was collected through a questionnaire utilizing a 5-point Likert scale and semi-structured interviews. The collected data was then analyzed using SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis and the SPACE (Strategic Position and Action Evaluation) matrix. The boundaries of Javanrud County were considered as the system boundary for the four-component SWOT analysis.
Results: The findings of the study identified 19 key strengths, with the most important being the existence of a border market (84% relative weight), a temperate climate with adequate rainfall (80.67% relative weight), and the presence of 56,773 hectares of natural oak forests (80.44% relative weight). Among the 19 identified weaknesses, the weak infrastructure of the county (roads and communications) (87.78% relative weight), the increase in annual wildfires in natural areas (85.78% relative weight), and the dumping of waste in forest sites (81.78% relative weight) were found to be the most significant. In the examination of 10 identified opportunities, the existence of rich forests and rangelands in Kermanshah Province (81.78% relative weight), the presence of numerous historical sites in the province (74% relative weight), and the proximity to the metropolitan city of Kermanshah (73.11% relative weight) were recognized as the most important opportunities. The 10 identified threats were dominated by the destruction of forests and rangelands by non-local people (78.89% relative weight), environmental crises (floods, climate change, and droughts) (78.67% relative weight), and dust storms and climate change (77.78% relative weight).
Conclusion: Based on the SPACE matrix analysis, from the perspective of all stakeholders, as well as the stakeholders at the Javanrud County, Kermanshah Province, and country levels, the defensive and conservative strategies were confirmed as the most appropriate approach for the development of cultural services in the forests of Javanrud County. These results indicate that for the sustainable utilization of the ecosystem's cultural services in Javanrud County, there is a need to improve the county's infrastructure, strengthen the natural resources protection unit and its coordination with other executive agencies, and enhance extension and education efforts in the field of natural resources management.
Ecosystem services, sustainable development, SWOT analysis, Zagros forests
کلیدواژهها [English]
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