The policy of agroforestry systems in Baneh forest, Northern Zagros

Agroforestry is one of the most important forms of utilization in Zagros forests. In the present study, Gandoman, Mirhesam, and Kokh-e Mamo allotments located in Armardeh region, in Baneh city of Kurdistan province, were selected. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) were applied to provide the policy and planning of forest functions and services. SWOT was performed in internal system (strengths and weaknesses) and external system (opportunities and threats). Statistical population included 12 individuals of local people and 18 individuals of experts. According to the results of SWOT and Space Matrix, the appropriate strategy (aggressive, competitive, defensive or conservative) was identified and determined for non-wood products. The results of agroforestry systems indicated that local communities emphasized on long time reliance on forest (the most important weakness) and lack of compatibility with formal management programs (the most important threat), while experts (non-local communities) emphasized on reduction of high forest reproduction (the most important weakness), and decrease of biodiversity (the most important threat). In addition, local communities stated that the most important strength and opportunity of agroforestry systems were acceptance of local communities and reduction of rural-urban migration, respectively. Based on all stakeholders’ opinions, conservative management strategy was proposed for agrosilviculture, silvopastoral and agrosilvopastoral. To practice conservative management strategy, the opportunities should be applied and the weaknesses should be vanished.