Effective management strategies for sustainable exploitation of cultural services in the the forest ecosystem of Javanrud County, Iran

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Ph.D. of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowme'eh Sara, Iran

2 Corresponding author, Associate Prof., Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowme'eh Sara, Iran

3 Associate Prof., Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Sanandaj, Iran

4 Associate Prof., Department of Geoinformation and Geomatics Engineering, Faculty of Civil, Water and Environmental Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and objectives: The Zagros forests are among the most important 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 more than 10 million hectares, have experienced degradation and reduction in area due to unsustainable exploitation over many years. Kermanshah Province, located in the northern Zagros region, with 646,514 hectares of forest cover representing 25% of the province’s area, is of particular importance. However, the cultural services of the ecosystem, such as the intangible benefits people receive through recreation, contemplation, and aesthetic experiences, have received less attention. Therefore, this research aimed to apply the SWOT analysis framework and provide practical management strategies and solutions for the utilization of cultural services in Javanrud County.
Methodology: This descriptive–analytical study was conducted in Javanrud County, located in the northwest of Kermanshah Province. The statistical population consisted of 90 experts and specialists at the county level (35 local stakeholders), as well as at the provincial and national levels (55 experts in cultural heritage and natural resources). Participants were selected using a purposive sampling method based on the Cochran formula with a 10% error margin. Data were collected through questionnaires using a 5-point Likert scale and semi-structured interviews. The collected data were 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 identified 19 key strengths, among which the most important were 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, poor county infrastructure (roads and communications) (87.78% relative weight), the increasing annual occurrence of wildfires in natural areas (85.78% relative weight), and waste dumping in forest sites (81.78% relative weight) were identified as the most significant. Among the 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 mainly associated with the destruction of forests and rangelands by non-local people (78.89% relative weight), environmental crises such as 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, the strategic positions obtained from the perspectives of all stakeholders (-4.05, -0.55), stakeholders in Javanrud County (0.00, 1.80), stakeholders in Kermanshah Province (-0.57, -1.14), and stakeholders in Tehran (-10.34, -1.21) indicated that defensive and offensive strategies are the most appropriate approaches for the development of cultural services in the forests of Javanrud County. These findings suggest that the sustainable utilization of ecosystem cultural services in Javanrud County requires improving the county’s infrastructure, particularly roads, strengthening the natural resources protection unit and its coordination with other executive agencies, and enhancing extension and educational programs in the field of natural resources management.

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References

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