Analyzing Biodiversity Management Challenges in the Sorkhabad Protected Area of the Zanjan Province, using a Grounded Theory study

Biodiversity faces various challenges which make its management difficult. This research aimed to investigate the challenges of biodiversity management in the Sorkhabad Protected Area of the Zanjan Province. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach through the grounded theory methodology. A sample of participants consisting of 15 experts from the Environmental Protection Administration and the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Administration in the Zanjan Province were selected through a theoretical and snowball sampling and the data were collected by semi-structured interviews. Using the Nvivo10 software, the data on biodiversity management challenges were analyzed through open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, which led to exploring 92 concepts, 38 initial categories, 22 principal categories, and 9 core categories. Then, the relationship among the core categories was identified. It was identified that biodiversity loss is interconnected with other natural hazards and environmental crises. Moreover, the threat and loss of biodiversity and other natural resources are directly and indirectly influenced by various factors consisting of weak national strategies and policies on biodiversity management; the weakness of allocating human, financial and physical resources of organizations responsible for biodiversity protection; poor knowledge, attitude and value system of rural communities about biodiversity management; unsustainable agriculture and natural resources use by rural communities; unsustainable use and intervention of people outside rural communities; unsustainable actions of external organizations; and lack of integrated and participatory management in biodiversity management.