آینده درختان کهنسال در جنگل‌های زاگرس و ضرورت حفاظت از آ‌ن‌ها

نوع مقاله : مقاله ترویجی

نویسنده

• احمد حسینی

بخش تحقیقات منابع طبیعی، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی ایلام، سازمان تحقیقات ، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی

چکیده

کلیدواژه‌ها

• بلوط ایرانی
• بنه
• تنوع گونه‌ای
• جنگل‌های ایلام
• زمین‌های زراعی

موضوعات

• علوم مرتبط با جنگل در ناحیه رویشی زاگرس و مناطق خشک و نیمه خشک کشور

The future of old-growth trees in the Iran's Zagros forests and the need to protect them

Ahmad Hosseini

Associate Prof., Department of Natural Resources Research, Ilam Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Ilam, Iran. Email: ahmad.phd@gmail.com |  ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4020-2451

Received: 27/April/2026     Revised: 23/May/2026     Accepted: 9/June/2026

Abstract

Old trees are considered vital assets of forests and an important part of the natural heritage of every country. In the Zagros forests, numerous old trees, particularly Quercus brantii and Pistacia atlantica trees, remain as remnants of formerly continuous forest ecosystems. Some of these trees are located within forest areas, while others occur in downstream forest lands that are currently under cultivation. The values of these trees in terms of biodiversity conservation, provision of habitats for plants and animals, ecosystem services in forests, and productive services for farmers are undeniable. A number of these old trees are located in Ilam Province, where 115 individual trees were identified during the implementation of a two-year research subproject. Given their widespread distribution throughout forests and agricultural lands along forest margins, these trees are continually threatened by adverse environmental factors, particularly human activities. Despite growing recognition of the ecological, environmental, historical, and cultural values of old trees, their importance is often overlooked by local communities, particularly rural residents. Therefore, to conserve these valuable genetic resources and benefit from their ecological and environmental functions, it is recommended that authorities responsible for the protection and management of natural areas pay greater attention to these valuable trees in forest landscapes. Some appropriate measures for the conservation and protection of ancient trees include; fencing individual trees with wire mesh or barbed wire, establishing shelters and protective enclosures for groups of old trees within their habitats, promoting public awareness of the environmental values of old trees through schools, universities, and social media, and developing conservation-oriented tourism.

Keywords: Agricultural lands, Ilam forests, Persian oak (Quercus brantii), species diversity, wild pistachio (Pistacia atlantica).

Citation:

Hosseini, A., 2026. The future of old-growth trees in the Iran's Zagros forests and the need to protect them. Zagros Ecosystem and Sustainable Development, 1(1): 57-65.

DOI: 10.22034/ZAGROS.2026.372608.1004                                                                                          

URL: https://zagros.areeo.ac.ir/article_135819.html

حسینی، .ا.، 1405. نقش مدیریتی خشک‌دارها در ذخیره کربن زیست‌بوم جنگلی زاگرس در راستای توسعه پایدار. زیست‌بوم و توسعه پایدار زاگرس، 1(1): 65-57.