Social monitoring: network analysis and social capital in sustainable forest resources management (case study: Kodir village, Kojur, Mazandaran province)

Forest management as one of the important source of production is crucial and critical. In taking over the forest resources as one of the most important of natural resources in the world, it is essential to consider local stakeholders to implement forest action plan for forest co-management. Therefore, this study aims at achieving to proper management of forests based on evaluating the stakeholder participations in management planning. For this purpose, social monitoring based on the relationship between local stakeholders was done and finally social network analysis was applied as an efficient tool in evaluating the relationships. In this study, quantitative and mathematical indicators of network analysis among all stakeholders in Kalak customary in Kojur region, Mazandaran province were investigated based on the trust and cooperation connections in local stakeholder network. The results showed that social cohesion and social capital in local stakeholder networks in this area are average to high level and sustainability of the network is strong. Furthermore, the result also revealed that there is medium correlation between trust and collaboration links in local stakeholders in the study area. According to the result, it could be concluded that maintenance and improvement of social trust will increase the social control and stakeholders will respect local traditions and rules in exploiting the forest resources.