Analysis of the related stakeholder's collaboration network toward mangrove forests conservation in the Dayyer and Assaluyeh counties, Bushehr province, Iran

An analysis was conducted to determine the number and influence of stakeholders involved in managing and protecting mangrove forests in Bushehr province. Field and library research was performed to select beneficiaries, and an institutional analysis questionnaire was administered to each organization. Data analysis was carried out using UCINET6.528 software. The results can be interpreted in two ways: 1) an overall assessment of the actors in the sample and 2) the significance of network analysis in highlighting the organizational coherence of institutions involved in mangrove forest protection in Bushehr province (such as conservation efforts, optimal habitat utilization, information exchange and experience sharing, participation in seedling production and planting, and community involvement). The Department of Education and Department of Natural Resources in Dayyer, and the Village Management, Council of Akhand, and Environment Department in Assaluyeh had the highest betweenness centrality. An important finding of this study is the limited power of the environmental department, particularly in Dayyer county, despite being the main authority responsible for conserving these coastal vegetation areas. The research results can be categorized into two areas: first, the lack of cooperation among executive institutions has resulted in conflicts, lack of coordination, and decreased trust among local communities; second, social indicators on both micro and macro levels have the potential to demonstrate the role of institutions in conflict reduction.