Natural Changes in Resource Allocation and Protection ofMountain Environment, the Case ofCentral Elborz, Iran

Structural characteristics and spatial distribution of major farming
systems in mountain environment of the Iranian Plateau as well as
their developments in the past few decades have been studied by
statistical analysis. Using this new approach, towards the study of
natural resource allocation methods in mountains of Iran, the
following resulted:
Land and resource use practices have followed a market supplydemande
policy based on the short term benefits of inhabitants of the
capital city in the adjacent plain.
Land and resource degradations have been much less than expected
because of major emmigrations of inhabitants to the plain; Tehran.
This is a temporary situation masking the effects of the existing lack
Of resource use planning and management in this area.
Inter-relations existing ; between farming and animal husbandry
(allocation of land and natural vegetation), practices within mountain
farming systems and mountain-plain inter-dependencies existing in
the regional economy, demonstrate the necessity of an integrated
approaches in management of mountain resource allocation and
farming system analysis.
According to the results obtained, it is clear that agricultural planning
and management (farming system; cropping coices and pattern) in
mountain should take into account demands of for rage and pasture for
animal production activities (farmer's major source of income).
Proper in frastruture and supply of services for a well planned rural
development (site selection) seem to be another major consideration
for a sustainable rural development.
Finally taking advantage of the existing advantages of mountains
compared to plains, by a proper human settlement strategy is another
major consideration in planning and development of mountainous
regions.