Study of Effects of Livestock and Forest Dwellers Exclusion Planning on Regeneration in Fouman Forests, Guilan Province

Ungulate grazing is the most common land use in the world and one of the most impacting disturbances on species composition together with habitat destruction. The aim of this study was to study effect of livestock and forest dwellers exclusion on regeneration in Fouman forest in Guilan province.

For this purpose, 200 plots (100 plots in the grazed and 100 plots in the non-grazed area) were sampled by a randomized-systematic method with 100 m2 circular plots in the 100×200 meters grid. In each sample plot, regeneration density and quality condition were recorded. Using questionnaires completed by 100 farmers, forest dwellers status was also assessed.

The results showed that there were significant differences between the two areas in terms of natural regeneration, so that regeneration density was more in the non-grazed region than grazed region. Regeneration quality was better in the non- grazed region than grazed region. The plan failed to properly provide the needs of forest dwellers.

 Discussion and Conclusion:

These results indicate that livestock exclusion have positive effects on Fouman forests and natural resource managers can execute and manage this plan in other Iranian north forests with protect the rights of forest dwellers.