Evaluation of Sustainability in Mangroves Afforestation in Southern Coastal of Sistan-and Balouchestan Province

Assessing the level of sustainability and success of afforestation provides a suitable strategy and guide for accurately locating forest development and restoration operations. The sustainability in mangroves afforestation in the 7 habitats of Sistan-o-Balouchestan province, Iran, was assessed through quantitative indicators including area changes, density changes, height growth, and forest generation. Satellite image visual interpretation and random sampling method were employed for this study. Over a 16-year period, 5457000 mangrove seedlings were planted in the coastal areas, primarily spaced 3 × 3 meters apart. The results showed that 1170 hectares of coastal land in the province were initially allocated for mangrove afforestation, but by 2011, this area had decreased to 303.9 hectares. According to this research, the Pouzm and Tang sites are highly unstable, while the Tiss and Galak sites are also classified as high unstable. The Naserabad and Birdaf sites are categorized as unstable, whereas the Rashedi site stands out as highly stable. This study indicated a successful afforestation rate of 25.9 percent. Stability analysis indicated that except of Rashidi habitat, other afforestation habitats are not in a stabile state. The main reasons for the 74.1 percent failure of afforestation were poor site selection and Gono storm on 2007.