Forestry Studies | Metsanduslikud Uurimused, Vol. 67, Pages 72–85 Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit as a non-timber forest product of Arasbaran biosphere reserve forests in Northwest of Iran Ahmad Alijanpour Alijanpour, A. 2017. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit as a non-timber forest pro duct of Arasbaran biosphere reserve forests in Northwest of Iran. – Forestry Studies | Metsanduslikud Uurimused 67, 72–85. ISSN 1406-9954. Journal homepage: http:// mi.emu.ee/forestry.studies Abstract. The present research aimed to quantitatively and economically evaluate Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit as a non-timber forest product for a resident rural community across three consecutive years. A forest stand of 50 hectares in Ka- laleh village, Northwest of Iran (Arasbaran biosphere reserve), was selected. After estimating the number of stems per hectare, the rate of fruit production rate was de- termined. Forty fi ve individuals were then selected and assessed for their vegetative characteristics, including total height (m), crown height (m), crown diameter (m), di- ameter at breast height (mm), number of coppice shoots and annual fruit production (kg). Relationships between the vegetative characteristics and fruit production were then determined using multiple regression analysis to estimate the total fruit produc- tion per ha (estimated number of stems per hectare x mean fruit production per stem). Questionnaires and interviews were conducted to determine the number of stake- holders, quantity of fruit harvested and their harvesting methods; in addition to the costs and revenues of the harvest. Our results indicated that in 2012, 2013 and 2014, the annual total fruit production and local harvesting rates were: (i) 17 500, 10 705 and 8 169 kg and (ii) 4 900, 6 540 and 6 700 kg respectively. The revenue from selling the fruit contributed from 3.6% to 7.3% to household livelihoods. Mean economic rent of Cornelian cherry utilization and the average expected value of the forest were US$ 52.9 and US$ 17.6 respectively, while the average marketing margin of utilization was 65.5%. We believe that the infl ated harvest rate recorded in 2014, which was above the allowable quota, might be a crucial threat to viability and also the sustainability of the forest stand. In conclusion, launching and implementing non-timber forest products projects including tree domestication is required to help conserving biodiversity in one hand and to sustainably manage natural resources in the other hand. Key words: Cornelian cherry, Arasabaran biosphere reserve, rural household’s liveli- hood, vegetative characteristics, poverty. Author’s address: Faculty of Natural Resources, Department of Forestry, Urmia Uni- versity, Urmia City, 11 km Sero Road, Postal code: 5756151818, Post box: 165, I.R. Iran; e-mails: [email protected]; [email protected] Introduction ucts and services include wood, non-tim- ber products and environmental and eco- Besides their potential to sustain and im- logical services (Hasalkar & Jadhav, 2004). prove human life, forests are home for a Non-timber forest products are defi ned as diverse array of plant and animal species all physical forest products other than in- (Adedayo et al., 2010; Paul & Chakrabarti, dustrial wood, collected from forests for 2011; Saha & Sundriyal, 2012). Forest prod- food and for trade (Ros-Tonen et al., 1995). DOI: 10.1515/fsmu-2017-0013 ©72 2017 Estonian University of Life Sciences. All rights reserved Cornelian cherry fruit as a non-timber forest product of Arasbaran biosphere reserve forests in Northwest of Iran Non-timber products, especially during tral and southern Europe and Asia Minor famine periods, often provide food sources (Da Ronch et al., 2016), as well as in the to households which they are the tradi- Andean Mountains of South America and tional foods consumed on a regular basis the mountains of tropical Africa (Stanes- in many places (Pouliot & Treue, 2013). cu, 2013). The oldest known occurrence Based on WHO statistics, about 80% of of fruits belonging to the Cornelian cher- population in developing countries relies ry group is from the Paleocene of North on non-timber forest products for medici- America (Manchester et al., 2010). Corne- nal and healthcare purposes (Sadashivap- lian cherry is a deciduous shrub growing pa et al., 2006; Schumann et al., 2011; Saha to 4–8 m tall, with small yellow fl owers. & Sundriyal, 2012). The importance of non- They mostly grow on warm and dry slopes timber products extraction, consumption, with calcareous soils (Sagheb-Talebi et al., trade and poverty alleviation especially in 2014). Shrubs are typically light demand- forest based communities have strongly ing plants preferring wet soils. The geo- been emphasized (Chamberlain et al., 2001; graphic distribution of Cornelian cherry in Sinha & Bawa, 2002; Stoian, 2005; Quang & Iran extends from northwest, Azerbaijan Anh, 2006; Saha & Sundriyal, 2012). On the (Arasbaran forest), Zanjan and Qazvin, to other hand, unlike timber, the harvesting north, Guilan (Mozafarian, 2004). It has a of non-timber products appears to be pos- wide range of vegetative characteristics, sible without major damage to the forest, with reports of signifi cantly greater diam- its environmental services and biodiver- eter at breast height, crown diameter and sity (Rostonen & Wiersum, 2003). There- height of the shrub found in northern and fore, sustainable use of these products is eastern areas of the Arasabran Biosphere an important approach to protect forests Reserve those of shrubs growing on west- and regions with high biodiversity espe- ern and southern aspects (Alijanpour et cially where local people rely on such for- al., 2011). Similarly, Alijanpour et al. (2013) est products for supplementing their fam- found that the annual growth rings of trees ily income (Kumar, 2015). were wider in the northern areas. Arasbaran forest with a total area of The oval shaped ripe fruit are dark 164 000 hectares is found in the Cauca- red or a bright yellow with astringent and sus Iranian highlands in the northwest of slightly sweet taste. Fruits are used as food Iran and is a habitat of diverse plant and and medicine. The fresh fruit also has im- animal species. It has been recognized as a portant role in Iranian cuisine. Vitamin C biosphere reserve combining both conser- content of the fresh fruits is twice that of vation and the sustainable use of natural orange. It is also known to increase ap- resources. Rural households rely on ex- petite (Ercýslý, 2004). Ethno pharmaco- ploiting wood, fuel wood and also non-tim- logically, fruits and leaves are also famous ber products such as fruits to supplement for their antidiuretic, astringent and anti- their income. The predominant tree and pyretic properties. There are also various shrub species of the forest stand include trade names of beverages made of fresh Quercus macranthera Fisch. et C.A.Mey. ex fruit with health claims such as natural Hohen, Carpinus betulus L., Acer campestre sources of minerals and antioxidants. Its L., Corylus avellana L. and Cornus mas L. unique taste made it a highly desired snack (Sagheb-Talebi et al., 2014). for youths. Fresh and dry Cornelian cherry Cornelian cherry (C. mas) belongs to the fruit are widely harvested and sold by local dogwood family (Cornaceae) widely dis- people. Ghanbari et al. (2011) reported that tributed in a variety of environments, in Cornelian cherry fruit production in Aras- subtropical, temperate and boreal regions baran is about 914 kg per hectare and mak- of the northern hemisphere including cen- ing an undeniable contribution to trade 73 A. Alijanpour 45°0’0’’E 46°0’0’’E 47°0’0’’E 48°0’0’’E Caspian Study area Sea N Arasbaran biosphere reserve Lake Urmia East Azerbaijan Province Iran Persian Gulf 0 250 500 km 37°0’0’’N 38°0’0’’N 39°0’0’’N 0 50 100 km Figure 1. Arasbaran biosphere reserve in NW of Iran (study area). and household livelihoods in the Arasba- (Figure 1) for economic and quantitative ran region. Market demand for high qual- evaluations (Alijanpour et al., 2011, 2013). ity fruits such as Cornelian cherry is now The area which is covered by a 50 hectare being increased due to worldwide interest of forest stand contains also other tree/ and demand for health foods. Therefore, shrub species including Carpinus betulus, protecting natural stands and cultivation A. monspessulanum L., A. campestre, Quercus of Cornelian cherry for its delicious and petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Taxus baccata L. and nutritious fruits and also for its attractive Fraxinus excelsior L. The 15-year average blossoms has become internationally rec- annual rainfall of the study area is around ognized (Ercýslý, 2004; Da Ronch et al., 405 mm. This area has a semi-arid climate 2016). Despite its environmental impor- based on the de Martonne climate classi- tance both on national and international fi cation. The average slope is 35% with a scales and its recognized economic value general northerly aspect. The frequent soil to the local people, there is a dearth of types are mostly Alfi sol, Inceptsol and Moll- chronological information on the quantita- sol (Alijanpour et al., 2011). tive and fi nancial data on fruit production, exploitation, economic importance and Vegetative characteristics and estimating contribution to rural households’ income. fruit product To estimate fruit production per hectare, the number of Cornelian cherry stems per Material and Methods hectare was determined using sampling transects, reported to be both high accu- Site description racy and also very cost-effective (Alijan- Cornelian cherry shrubs grow at high den- pour et al., 2003). A total of 15 transects sity in Arasbaran region, Northwest of with different lengths (55–165 m; Table 1) Iran. For this study a forest stand in Kala- were established at evenly spaced paral- leh village, located in Arasbaran Biosphere lel intervals (100 m) with a 90° azimuth.