An assessment of forest management sustainability in Do-Polan district, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran

The study aims at finding appropriate criteria and indicators (C & Is) to assess different forest management approaches based on a rating method system in Do-Polan district, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. To do that, we used a two-step process including collection of local people’s feedback and rating them by opinions from stakeholders, local interest groups and experts to determine the importance of C & Is. Results gave the highest scores to the criteria related to protection and conservation of forest, economic and social functions, embedding appropriate rules and institutional structures. Biodiversity conservation and local communities’ education level were assessed as the criteria with the least influence on sustainable management. Moreover, several indicators were assessed to be currently furthermost from sustainable management, including soil fertility conservation, developing agroforestry systems, ecological integrity and connectivity of aquatic systems in a watershed, grazing management and overgrazing restoration, promoting ecotourism, facilitating participation of local communities, media, NGOs, politicians and publics and localizing appropriate technologies. Finally, the following solutions received comparatively highest scores toward sustainable management goals in the site area,: conservation and restoration, forest investment programs, empowerment of the local communities and extending education.