نوع مقاله : مقاله ترویجی
نویسندگان
1 استادیار پژوهش، بخش تحقیقات جنگلها و مراتع، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی استان آذربایجان غربی، ارومیه، ایران
2 استادیار پژوهش، مؤسسه تحقیقات جنگلها و مراتع کشور، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، تهران، ایران.
3 استادیار پژوهش، بخش تحقیقات جنگلها و مراتع، مرکز تحقیقات و آموزش کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی استان آذربایجان غربی، سازمان تحقیقات،
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
Poplar-based agroforestry outside forests: An economic strategy to mitigate pressure on the Zagros forests, Iran
Jalal Henareh1*, Fatemeh Ahmadloo 2, Majid Pato3
1*- Assistant Prof., Forests and Rangelands Research Department, West Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (AREEO), Urmia, Iran. Email: j.henareh@areeo.ac.ir | ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6040-1242
2- Assistant Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
3- Assistant Prof., Forests and Rangelands Research Department, West Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (AREEO), Urmia, Iran
Received: 06/August/2026 Revised: 10/September/2026 Accepted: 12/ September /2026
Abstract
The management of the Zagros forests is challenged by pressures such as overgrazing, fuelwood collection, and understorey cultivation. Developing alternative livelihood strategies and promoting sustainable resource use are therefore essential for alleviating poverty and reducing pressure on forest resources. Agroforestry systems, particularly silvoarable systems, are recognized as multifunctional approaches capable of sustaining production while conserving natural resources. To evaluate the economic benefits and relative productivity of agroforestry outside forest ecosystems, a trial was conducted at the Saatlou Poplar Research Station in Urmia, northwestern Iran. A poplar clone (Populus nigra 62/154) was planted in rows at a spacing of 4 × 2 m, and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cv. Hamadani, garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) were cultivated in the inter-row spaces. The economic performance and relative productivity of sole and intercrop systems were evaluated using the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), Relative Value Total (RVT), Actual Yield Loss (AYL), and Agroforestry Usefulness Index (IA). Overall, the findings demonstrated that integrated poplar–crop systems involving agricultural, forage, and medicinal crops not only improved economic performance but also showed considerable potential for enhancing production sustainability. Given the limited availability of agricultural land in the Zagros region and the increasing number of smallholder farmers cultivating land along forest margins and beneath forest canopies, considerable pressure is being placed on forest resources, contributing to their qualitative degradation. The major strengths and opportunities associated with the application of agroforestry systems outside forests are, respectively, the provision of local livelihoods and the potential for establishing participatory management arrangements. Accordingly, promoting such systems outside forest areas can contribute to the economic sustainability of local communities and, consequently, reduce pressure on forest resources.
Keywords: Agroforestry, alternative livelihoods, economic profitability, participatory management.
Henareh, J., Ahmadloo, F., Pato, M. 2026. Poplar-based agroforestry outside forests: An economic strategy to mitigate pressure on the Zagros forests, Iran. Zagros Ecosystem and Sustainable Development, 1(2): 59-65.
DOI: 10.22034/ZAGROS.2026.374182.1041
URL: https://zagros.areeo.ac.ir/article_136148.html
هناره، ج.، احمدلو، ف.، پاتو، م. ۱۴۰۵. بیشهزراعی (کشت تلفیقی صنوبر، خارج از جنگل)، جایگزینی اقتصادی برای کاهش فشار بر جنگلهای زاگرس. زیستبوم و توسعه پایدار زاگرس، 1(2): 65-59.
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