Environment

Iran’s Oak Forests under Threat

Zagros forests begin in northwestern West Azarbaijan province, along the Zagros mountain range, and extend to southern Fars province. The forests pass 11 provinces and cover an area of some 6 million hectares which is 40 percent of the country’s forest area.

Almost half of the oak trees in the forest areas of western Ilam and Kohgiluyeh-Boyer-Ahmad provinces are suffering from charcoal disease which can ultimately destroy the whole forest. Charcoal disease outbreak has started some 7 years ago and has turned to a major outbreak in the forest. The disease is caused by biscogniaxia mediteranea. The leaves of infected trees turn brown and gradually, dark viscous exudation appears on the trunk. And in the winter of the next year fungal growth induces a typical charcoal-black surface on diseased branches and trunks which ultimately leads to the death of the tree.

Although it’s a fungal disease, the main culprit for this outbreak seems to be drought and sand and dust storms.

Moreover, the forest has become the victim of large-scale illegal logging activities in Zagros oak forests in Fars Province. The illegally felled tress are sold at an unbelievable low price, the old precious timbers being sold for charcoal making. Some 2,000 charcoal kilns are active in the province making 1.5 tons of charcoal from each 10 tons of oak timber.