Natural Changes in Resource Allocation and Protection ofMountain Environment, the Case ofCentral Elborz, Iran

Structural characteristics and spatial distribution of major farming systems in mountain environment of the Iranian Plateau as well as their developments in the past few decades have been studied by statistical analysis. Using this new approach, towards the study of natural resource allocation methods in mountains of Iran, the following resulted: Land and resource use practices have followed a market supplydemande policy based on the short term benefits of inhabitants of the capital city in the adjacent plain. Land and resource degradations have been much less than expected because of major emmigrations of inhabitants to the plain; Tehran. This is a temporary situation masking the effects of the existing lack Of resource use planning and management in this area. Inter-relations existing; between farming and animal husbandry (allocation of land and natural vegetation), practices within mountain farming systems and mountain-plain inter-dependencies existing in the regional economy, demonstrate the necessity of an integrated approaches in management of mountain resource allocation and farming system analysis. According to the results obtained, it is clear that agricultural planning and management (farming system; cropping coices and pattern) in mountain should take into account demands of for rage and pasture for animal production activities (farmer's major source of income). Proper in frastruture and supply of services for a well planned rural development (site selection) seem to be another major consideration for a sustainable rural development. Finally taking advantage of the existing advantages of mountains compared to plains, by a proper human settlement strategy is another major consideration in planning and development of mountainous regions.