Economic Valuation of Edible Natural Plants in Local Societies (Case Study: Urmia County)

Today, the indiscriminate collection of plants from nature is recognized as a significant issue in Iran. This research investigates the process of plant collection from nature, assesses its adverse effects on the vegetation ecosystem, and analyzes the supply and demand patterns in Urmia County, along with its economic valuation. The economic value of plants is estimated based on public perspectives, purchase and sale prices. The findings reveal widespread wild plant collection in Urmia, facilitated by inadequate supervision from responsible organizations, leading to destructive harvesting practices such as uprooting, rhizome, bulb, and entire plants collection. Consequently, approximately 75 percent of the harvested species face the risk of depletion. From an economic standpoint, the annual value of all plants collected from Urmia's natural environment is estimated at 28,967,560 Thousand Rials. Notably, the locally known edible plant 'Kangar' holds the highest value and volume. Analyzing the relationship between plant value, the amount of plant harvest, and the type of harvesting, destructive harvesting accounts for 78 percent of the total plant value and 75 percent of the overall volume of harvested plants. While the annual economic value may not seem substantial (28,967,560 Thousand Rials), it serves as a crucial indicator and warning for natural resource managers and national planners. This information underscores the need for strategic planning to address the interaction of local people with the surrounding natural areas.