Evaluating the consequences of the livestock removal from forests in Iran: a meta-synthesis (systematic review and grounded theory-based analysis)

Document Type : Scientific article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, I. R. Iran

2 Independent Researcher, PhD in Rangeland Management, Gonbad Kavous University, Golestan, I. R. Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective: Deforestation and the conversion of forest and rangeland into other ecosystems have emerged as a global crisis, showing a concerning upward trend particularly during the twentieth century. Research indicates that 87% of degradation factors in Iran's natural resources are anthropogenic (human-induced), while only 13% are attributed to natural causes. Key human factors include overgrazing and the destructive impacts of livestock farmers and forest dwellers in Northern Iran. The significant reduction in Iran's forest area over recent decades has prompted environmental management to implement control measures to halt this degradation. One such policy is the "Livestock Removal Plan" from Northern forests, which involves the resettlement of forest dwellers to other regions. Evidence suggests that the relocation and resettlement of these rural forest dwellers, conducted without comprehensive and detailed assessments, has resulted in various economic, social, environmental, and physical consequences.
Material and Methods: This study employs a meta-synthesis approach (combining systematic review and Grounded Theory) to examine the impacts of the Livestock Removal Plan on the affected communities. The search strategy involved a comprehensive investigation using keywords such as "Livestock Removal," "Forest Dwellers," and "Livestock Management," individually and in combination using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT). Searches were conducted across five major scientific indexing databases, including Ensani, IranDoc, Magiran, Noormags, and SID (Scientific Information Database), as well as Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria encompassed all Persian-language research articles published between 2002 and 2022 (1381-1401 SH) that included the term "Livestock Removal Plan" in their titles. Exclusion criteria included conference abstracts and review articles. This specific timeframe was selected to ensure the use of recent and up-to-date data. A total of 17 articles were initially retrieved. After applying inclusion criteria and screening titles, 10 articles were excluded due to duplication or lack of alignment with the research objectives. The full texts of the remaining seven articles were imported into MAXQDA software for coding. Finally, the conceptual model of the Grounded Theory was developed by systematically implementing its five-step process, linking codes through open, axial, and selective coding.
Results: One of the most significant consequences of implementing the "Livestock Removal Plan" and the subsequent resettlement in the studied areas is the transformation of a productive rural community into a consumerist urban society. Abandoning original settlements and relocating to new areas has resulted in the abandonment and loss of rural production facilities. According to the results, the plan has led to a substantial increase in the cost of living; settling in new locations, coupled with the requirements of urban life, has escalated household expenses. Furthermore, the relocation has altered the villagers' lifestyle, leading to a decline in their traditional spirit of contentment (frugality). The incompatibility of the new living environment with rural livelihood patterns—where life and production are intrinsically linked to the surrounding nature—is another major outcome of this resettlement. The research findings indicate various "subjective-objective" shifts within the rural "milieu." In the economic and livelihood sphere, these changes manifest as "increased living costs" and decreased self-sufficiency due to urban requirements and lifestyle changes. Ultimately, the inability to continue agricultural and livestock activities has transitioned a formerly productive society into a consumer-based one.
Conclusion: Resettlement is far more complex than merely providing new housing for displaced populations. It necessitates the reconstruction of social networks, political affiliations, and livelihood systems. These connections are deeply embedded in cultural, social, economic, and environmental frameworks. Moreover, these bonds are symbolized by tangible and intangible cultural markers inseparably linked to specific locations, making their replication in new settlements exceptionally difficult.

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References

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Forest Research and Development
Volume 11, Issue 4
January 2026
Pages 583-599

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