Plantation process, a conservation and local community empowerment approach to climate change in western Iran

Plantation characteristics include production of two or more crops while conserving natural resources, use of trees and shrubs, a period of more than one year, suitability for a sensitive environment, and low input. Plantations can also have high social and cultural value compared to other forest management systems and are more complex in structure and application than monoculture farming. The objective of this study is to investigate the existing plantation system in Gilan-e Gharb city. In order to study the plantations in the study area, the almond cultivation unit of Sha'eran village in Cheleh district was identified. The type of plantation, its area, the type of species used, etc. were studied. The almond cultivation projects of Poshteh Samavat, Abdulaziz and Sha'eran villages are located on the national and agricultural lands on the north side of Gar Kouchak hill, which has an area of about 20 hectares. The project was started in 1997 by the residents themselves and with the cooperation of the Natural Resources Department of Gilan-e Gharb City with the planting of almond seeds. The trees in the project area are now about 20 years old. The project is now economically viable and has the opportunity to plant medicinal plants within the project area (among the trees). Planting can serve as a solution for sustainable development in this region so that farmers can maximize production based on the principle of continuous production and the approach of increasing income to conserve forests.