Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit as a non-timber forest product of Arasbaran biosphere reserve forests in Northwest of Iran

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 Kalaleh village, Northwest of Iran (Arasbaran biosphere reserve), was selected. After estimating the number of stems per hectare, the rate of fruit production rate was determined. Forty five individuals were then selected and assessed for their vegetative characteristics, including total height (m), crown height (m), crown diameter (m), diameter 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 production per ha (estimated number of stems per hectare x mean fruit production per stem). Questionnaires and interviews were conducted to determine the number of stakeholders, 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 inflated 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.