Agricultural Economics

Agricultural Economics

Estimation of the economic costs caused by the destruction of Populus euphratica forests on the banks of the Harirod River

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Hamed Akbarpoor 1
saeed yazdani 2
Iraj Saleh 3
Hamed Rafiee 3
1 PhD student, Department of Agricultural Economics,, Faculty of Agriculture, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran
2 Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics,, Faculty of Agriculture, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran
10.22034/iaes.2024.2041228.2083
Abstract
The environment is a vast and intricate network of various elements and factors, shaped over time through the gradual evolution of living organisms and the Earth's surface. One of the vital ecosystems impacting human life and other living organisms is the forest ecosystem, which is crucial for the survival of all species. Key input parameters in forest ecosystems include the amount of rainfall and river flow intensity. Among the tree species, Populus euphratica, is a species that naturally exists in dry and semi-dry areas along riverbanks. The formation of Populus euphratica seed clusters is primarily influenced by the meandering nature of the Harir Rud River and the high groundwater levels in these regions. However, decreased rainfall and reduced river flow intensity of the Harir Rud River have caused environmental damage, impacting the Populus euphratica forests in the Sarakhs plain. Thus, this study aims to assess the damages inflicted on the environmental resources of the forested areas along the Hari Rud River, particularly focusing on the Populus euphratica species. By providing a tangible and comprehensible valuation of the forest degradation, the study seeks to draw the attention of local, provincial, and national managers and policymakers to the importance of preserving and maintaining these critical areas.
Materials and Methods
To estimate the damage value to the Populus euphratica forests along the Harir Rud River in the Sarakhs plain, this study has employed the benefit transfer method. The benefit transfer method uses economic data gathered
Keywords
Environmental valuation
Transfer of benefits
Sarakhs plain
Harirod River

Subjects

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