Relationship between human and forest in the form of traditional knowledge in Nourabad Mamasani, Fars Province, Iran

Traditional forest-related knowledge is one of the main branches of traditional knowledge, which deals with the relationship between human life and forest. It is derived from human historical experiences and is rooted in people´s believes. The local communities in the Zagros Mountains are a valuable treasure of this knowledge because of their ancient civilization. On the other hand, they have differently utilized the forests. In this study, we identified and recorded the traditional knowledge of local communities in the common-law forest areas of Harabalout and Pireshkaft in Nourabad Mamasani of Fars province. The data was gathered by snowball sampling, the use of key informants and in a deliberately selective approach. Based on the results, forests are differently used according to the needs of the local communities. Harvesting of wild pistachio (Pistacia atlantica Desf.) gum, acorns of Brant`s oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) for baking local bread (Kalg) and animal nutrition, as well as collecting forest fruits for human nutrition, using of Jaft, using of wood of different forest trees for different purposes such as firewood for fuel, traditional tools such as axe handle by almond wood, making chicken and cock basket with almond twigs and making waterskin holder using poplar were among the most important traditional usages in the study area. In spite of confirming the richness of traditional knowledge in the area, the results of this study emphasize the destructive aspect of some traditional utilizations.