Economic, social and environmental impacts of planted forests on the lives of villagers (a Case Study in ChahAfzal-Ardakan)

In desert area, limiting factors such as salinity reduce the diversity and density of vegetation and consequently reduce the use of these soils, which can make the most reasonable use of these natural substrates if proper management is implemented. Cultivation of species adapted to the region's conditions is one of the managerial corrective measures to achieve this aim. The present study done with the aim of investigating the economic and social effects and environmental welfare of the planting three species of Tamarix aphylla, Haloxylon aphyllum and Atriplex lentiformis and investigated the view of residents and resource management experts of Yazd and Ardakan as experts, in Chah Afzal village located on the edge of the Siahkouh desert, Ardakan, Yazd, Iran. The results showed that from the views of experts the cultivation of the mentioned species had no effect on reducing runoff and increasing infiltration of surface water whereas it had a high impact on ground water, soil, pests and diseases, regional vegetation and climate and also had a low impact on livelihoods, utilization and satisfaction. From the perspective of the residents it had no impact on pests, diseases, vegetation and utilization and had a significant effect on other parameters.