Environmental impact assessment of forest management plans using the degradation model (Case study: Lirehsara District of Mashalak Forest)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MSc. Student, Forest Management, Dept. of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

2 Professor, Dept. of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

3 Associate Prof., Dept. of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

10.22034/eiap.2022.158591

Abstract

In terms of natural structure and geographical location, our land has major constraints on the biological and sustainable production of biological systems, and most of its biomes are forests that naturally have fragile biological systems and, if exploited outside their capability, they are simply exposed to destruction. Therefore, due to the multifunctional nature of forests, it is necessary to assess the environmental impacts of forest management plans. The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the impacts of forest activities as well as planning to minimize and prevent negative environmental impacts and maximize the positive environmental impacts of the Lirehsara forest management plan using the destruction model approach. In this regard, environmental degradation modeling was performed to determine the environmental impacts of forestry activities in the Mashalak Forest. In this study, compartments were selected as the impact unit. After determining the degradation factors, 14 identified factors were included in the model and the final destruction map was created. The results of the degradation model showed that the study area was divided into four zones of potential development, requiring restoration 1 and 2 and requiring conservation measures. Accordingly, 49.70% of the study area was in degradation class 1 and susceptible to development, 35.15% and 9.78% in degradation class 2 and 3, respectively, in need of restoration and 5.3% in degradation class 5 and in need of protection measures. According to the results of this study, it is recommended that protection measures and further development in the area be prioritized and remedial measures for forest protection should be considered. One of these measures could be the elimination of the destructive factor of the mine and the other non-accumulation of waste in the forest.
 
 

Keywords

References

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Environmental Researches
Volume 13, Issue 25
Recerches
September 2022
Pages 267-280

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