Identification of the Type of Use and the Degree of Local Communities\' Dependence on Khamir-Qeshm Mangrove Forests

Extended Abstract Background: Forests are one of the renewable natural resources and national capitals of every country that provide a wide range of goods and services. Since the lives of local communities and their livelihood are directly and indirectly dependent on forest ecosystems, the management and protection of these natural habitats is an important issue for planners and decision-makers. Today, these valuable resources are threatened by numerous human and natural factors. With the development of technology, industry, and significant population growth, the exploitation and destruction of these natural areas to provide raw materials, space, and food are increasing progressively, leaving irreparable damages in recent years. Accordingly, the present study was carried out to identify the type of use and the degree of local communities’ dependence on the Khamir-Qeshm mangrove forests. The study also seeks to analyze the relationship between the livelihood dependence of local communities and the exploitation extent of these forests. Khamir-Qeshm mangrove forests account for reserves, shelters, feeding and nursing places for many plants and animals. These natural habitats are also the main source of providing ecosystem services for local communities and residents of the edges of these forests. Thus, the ecosystem services of mangrove forests in the studied area are an important tool to show issues such as the livelihood dependence of communities living on the edge of the habitats, the importance of food security, income, health, and sustainable development of human activities. In this regard, the present study complements other studies in terms of the importance of the exploitation of natural mangrove habitats and the use of each of these services in the lives of local communities and residents of the edges of forests. In particular, the areas that are closer to the villages are not of good quality and need more protection. Methods: In the current descriptive-analytical research, data were collected through questions and interviews with local communities. The statistical population of the research consisted of local communities, and a sample size of380 people was calculated in the studied area, which was sampled by the cluster method considering the population of each village. The validity of the research to measure the appropriateness of the questionnaires prepared by structural and formal methods was determined through the opinions of experts and specialists, and its reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha in SPSS software. The result is statistically confirmed and acceptable, with α = 0.9. Results: According to the obtained results, the Khamir-Qeshm mangrove forests are mostly used for food consumption, including harvesting wild honey, catching aquatic and edible invertebrates (for home use, restaurants, and selling in the market), hunting birds, and harvesting fodder for feeding livestock (camels). On the other hand, the lowest amount of consumption belongs to harvesting wood from mangrove forests for the construction of pavilions and residential houses. According to the obtained averages, the highest priority in the use of Khamir-Qeshm mangrove forests is assigned to food consumption, followed by tourism, handicrafts, pharmaceuticals, fuel consumption, and construction from the highest to the lowest priority, respectively. In other words, food consumption, especially fishing and aquaculture, is the first priority in this region, and other activities such as tourism, due to the limited time suitable for tourists in the region, making handicrafts, pharmaceutical consumption, fuel consumption, and construction due to the low market demand and necessary facilities have lower efficiency and priority. In addition, the employment of the residents of the area shows the level of livelihood dependence of the local communities on the mangrove forests of Khamir-Qeshm, who exploit these natural habitats for their livelihood and daily needs. In general, the income of most local communities is provided by fishing, although they are also engaged in other activities such as boating, tourism, boat building, and creating ecotourism lodges and beach restaurants. The results of the analysis of the relationship between subsistence dependence and the amount of exploitation of these forests indicate a significant and direct relationship between these two factors. This means that the exploitation level of these forest habitats increases with the increased demand and livelihood needs of local communities. As one of the most important natural resources, mangrove forests have a direct relationship and an undeniable place in providing livelihood, welfare, and comfort to human societies. On the other hand, these forests should always be the focus of planners and decision-makers due to their essential role in strengthening the livelihood and development of human societies. Conclusion: Considering the protection status and biological sensitivities of the studied area, ‎the continuation of this type of exploitation causes heavy damage to the forests of the area ‎and endangers their survival for future generations. Therefore, management policies and ‎arrangements should be considered to reduce the exploitation of mangrove forests by local ‎communities and to protect and sustain these natural habitats. In addition to this training, ‎informing and empowering local communities in the development of local businesses and ‎increasing their income can help reduce people's livelihood dependence on forests.‎