Organization, practices and performance of community-based traditional forest management – empirical evidence from Zagros, Iran

Abstract

The main objective of the forest policy in Iran is to protect forests through centralized state forest management. Still, forests are subject to deforestation and forest degradation. Parallel to centralized management, community-based traditional and informal practices are implemented. The aim of this study was to provide empirical evidence on organization, practices and performance of this management. The study was conducted in a village forest in northern Zagros by means of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and a systematic sample plot inventory. In general, the management appeared to be well organized and based on a rich knowledge base among local people. The PRA showed conscious considerations on long-term use of the forest. This was supported by the inventory results showing that the basal area growth (0.19 m2 ha− 1 yr− 1) was higher than natural mortality (0.06 m2 ha− 1 yr− 1) and harvest (0.10 m2 ha− 1 yr− 1). The study provides empirical evidence on successes and failures of community-based traditional management, which is lacking in Iran and as well as internationally. The empirical evidence may be used by Iranian authorities that recently opened up for more focus on local and traditional aspects as an alternative to the unsuccessful centralized state management.