Investigation the role of Socio-Economic factors on the degradation of Zagros forests (Kakareza Lorestan)

One of the most important factors changing the face of the earth in many parts of the world is deforestation. For centuries, unfortunately Zagros forests due to uncontrolled human intervention have been changed. The interventions that mainly carried out for providing the basic needs of life have changed the form and varieties of the forest. Due to being unknown the importance and role of the economic and social problems in different ecological zones and with regard to the different climatic, edaphic and biotic conditions, some of social and economic factors appeared to be more important. Therefore, it should be identified the exact contribution of each of them in the study area. As a result, in this study the most important economic and social factors contributing to deforestation in the region of Kakareza Lorestan were identified and prioritized using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). High usages of this forest can be considered as the most influential degradation factor. Lack of alternative fuel especially liquid gas urges local people to exploit wood.