Strategic Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Strategic Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

An Approach to the Protecting Challenges of Old Forest Trees and Their Management Strategies

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Associate Prof., Ilam Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Ilam, Iran
2 Associate Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, AREEO, Tehran, Iran
10.22047/srjasnr.2025.507557.1125
Abstract
    Old trees are considered to be the country's genetic and vital reserves and have great importance and value from various aspects, especially from the aspect of silviculture and forest restoration in the forest community and also from the historical and cultural aspects in human societies. The distribution of old trees over a wide area of ​​forest areas on the one hand and the presence and activities of humans (tourists, passers-by, shepherds, nomads, livestock grazing and fires) in forest areas have caused threats such as land use change, exploitation, changes in organizational policies, climate change, drought, fire, outbreaks of pests and diseases, forest fragmentation and soil erosion to old trees. This article refers to the types of threats that exist for old trees at different spatial scales and under the influence of different factors, and describes appropriate and suitable management strategies for protecting and supporting old trees at the tree level (enclosing the tree using a buffer or fence), at the habitat and regional levels (establishing shelters), at time scales (collecting information on old trees through long-term tree monitoring, tree chronology), as well as complementary measures such as creating a culture of recognizing the environmental values ​​of old trees at the school, university and social media levels, national and global tree registration, and tourism.
Keywords
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