نوع مقاله : علمی- پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دانش آموخته دکتری جنگلداری، دانشکده منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه ارومیه، ارومیه، ایران
2 دانشیار، گروه جنگلداری، دانشکده منابع طبیعی دانشگاه ارومیه، ارومیه، ایران
3 دانشیار، گروه مرتع و آبخیزداری، دانشکده منابع طبیعی دانشگاه ارومیه، ارومیه، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Background and objectives: Poverty reduction can decrease pressure on forest resources, while the conservation and development of forest resources can contribute to poverty alleviation. The roles and importance of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in supporting household livelihoods and meeting community needs have made them a central issue in sustainable forest management practices. In this context, the present research investigates the condition of forests within the Shafaroud watershed in Guilan Province, Iran. The study aimed to develop the value chain of NTFPs in order to create economic opportunities for rural communities and other beneficiaries dependent on these forests, while also prioritizing the conservation of forest ecosystems through the evaluation of specific indicators and sub-criteria.
Methodology: The study area is located in the Shafaroud watershed, covering 36,431 hectares in the western part of Guilan Province. It is situated between the cities of Rezvanshahr and Pareh Sar, adjacent to the eastern side of the Talesh highlands. Initially, to compile a comprehensive list of NTFPs, forestry management plan booklets from different series related to the Shafaroud watershed were carefully reviewed. To determine the appropriate economic uses and identify the main indicators for each activity considered by experts, comprehensive information was collected using observation methods, interviews, and questionnaires distributed among 55 experts selected based on their relevant expertise. The research employed a structured questionnaire approach in three stages. The first questionnaire investigated the potential for developing the value chain of NTFPs, while the subsequent questionnaires evaluated the scores of various criteria and sub-criteria to identify the most suitable locations for value chain development in the region. Finally, GIS software was used to prepare an optimal spatial map of the studied value chain using the data extracted from the previous stages, resulting in a regional suitability map for developing the NTFPs value chain in the Shafaroud watershed.
Results: At the beginning of the study, 13 major non-wood forest products were identified in the study area. The results of the initial questionnaire, which focused on the feasibility of developing the proposed value chain in the region, indicated that experts from various organizations had a positive perspective on this issue. Furthermore, analysis of the most important indicators for value chain development, based on experts’ opinions, showed that investment capacity, land use, satisfaction and participation of local communities, and proximity to paved and unpaved roads were the most significant factors. In addition, analysis of the final scores of the sub-criteria demonstrated that the existence of favorable conditions and infrastructure, with a final score of 0.033, received the highest score, followed by humid climate (0.028), high investment capacity (0.027), and local community satisfaction and participation (0.025). The findings also revealed that 6,712.194 hectares of the Shafaroud watershed, equivalent to 18.424% of the total area, are highly suitable for the development of the NTFPs value chain.
Conclusion: Based on the investigations conducted and the indicators considered, the Shafaroud watershed has considerable potential for the development of the NTFPs value chain. However, the development of any value chain may face various challenges that require a comprehensive and integrated approach for effective management. It is expected that the results of this study will assist decision-makers at local and regional levels in considering all relevant aspects and implementing appropriate measures for the optimal utilization of the Shafaroud watershed while ensuring the conservation of these valuable forest resources.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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