Oak trees, with their various species, are the most prevalent trees in the Zagros Mountains and play a critical role in the region’s stability. Unfortunately, Zagros oaks are currently under severe threat due to drought and deforestation.
Oak trees can live up to two thousand years and include up to 500 identified species, many of which thrive in the Zagros Mountains of Iran. These trees are valuable not only for their nutritional and medicinal properties but also for their high fat and protein content. The fruit of the oak can be used to make bread, while its seeds and leaves are essential in the dyeing and leather industries.
The Zagros forests host several types of oak are Western Oak Species: Known for their substantial growth potential, Gall Oak Species: Found in the forests of Lorestan and Kermanshah, Light-loving Species: Thrive in sunny conditions.
Tall Gall Oak and Sessile Oak Species: More commonly found in the northern regions of the country than in Zagros.
Aside from oaks, the Zagros forests also include other tree species such as maple (Acer monspessulanum), Pistacia Atlantic, European ash, Pyrus communis, Judas tree, and almond.
Protecting these forests, particularly the oak trees, is crucial for the environmental and economic stability of the Zagros region. The current threats emphasize the urgent need for conservation efforts to safeguard this irreplaceable natural heritage.
Sustainability and Benefits of Oak Trees
The oak tree possesses a key attribute that ensures its sustainability and productivity: its ability to endure heat for more than eight months without dying. This particularly resilient species is notably abundant on the southern slopes of the Zagros forests.
In the Zagros forests, oak trees are found alongside juniper species at higher elevations, while Pistacia atlantica and almonds grow on the lower slopes. The oak is regarded as the most important tree in the Zagros region, making this area ideal for the extensive and profitable cultivation of oak trees. For the people of Zagros, the oak holds exceptional value, being deeply integrated into their lifestyle and environmental stability. This tree exhibits remarkable resilience to climate changes, demonstrating what is known as “ecological compromise”; it can withstand temperatures ranging from -31°C to +45°C and endure rainfall up to 1,000 millimeters. However, in drier climates, oak trees tend to become smaller and thinner.
Key Oak Species in the Zagros Forests
As previously mentioned, three oak species are particularly significant in the Zagros forests: Gall Oak, Western Oak, and Lebanon Oak. Lebanon Oak thrives in deeper, more fertile soils, found in Marivan and Paveh forests of Kermanshah Province. Gall Oak ranges from the north-western Zagros into Kermanshah, while Brodar Oak is exclusive to Ilam, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and Fars provinces. Notably, Western Oak is also present in Kurdistan Province, which uniquely features all three oak species among the eleven Zagros provinces.
Each oak tree yields about 20 kg of fruit. Lorestan, Kermanshah, Ilam, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces collectively produce 3 million tons of oak annually. Province, with over 870,000 hectares of forest—70% of which is oak—plays a significant role in this production.
For the Zagros people, oak trees are culturally and historically important. Harvesting begins in November and continues through winter, with each tree producing 50 to 80 kg of fruit used for livestock feed.
However, the oak forests face serious threats. Deforestation for coal production, drought, fires, and other harmful activities have caused significant damage to the Zagros oaks. Future articles will delve into these issues and their impact on oak forest loss.
