Identification of the Type of Use and the Degree of Local Communities\' Dependence on Khamir-Qeshm Mangrove Forests

Extended Abstract Background: Forests are one of the renewable natural resources and national capitals of every country that provide a wide range of goods and services. Since the lives of local communities and their livelihood are directly and indirectly dependent on forest ecosystems, the management and protection of these natural habitats is an important issue for planners and decision-makers. Today, these valuable resources are threatened by numerous human and natural factors. With the development of technology, industry, and significant population growth, the exploitation and destruction of these natural areas to provide raw materials, space, and food are increasing progressively, leaving irreparable damages in recent years. Accordingly, the present study was carried out to identify the type of use and the degree of local communities’ dependence on the Khamir-Qeshm mangrove forests. The study also seeks to analyze the relationship between the livelihood dependence of local communities and the exploitation extent of these forests. Khamir-Qeshm mangrove forests account for reserves, shelters, feeding and nursing places for many plants and animals. These natural habitats are also the main source of providing ecosystem services for local communities and residents of the edges of these forests. Thus, the ecosystem services of mangrove forests in the studied area are an important tool to show issues such as the livelihood dependence of communities living on the edge of the habitats, the importance of food security, income, health, and sustainable development of human activities. In this regard, the present study complements other studies in terms of the importance of the exploitation of natural mangrove habitats and the use of each of these services in the lives of local communities and residents of the edges of forests. In particular, the areas that are closer to the villages are not of good quality and need more protection. Methods: In the current descriptive-analytical research, data were collected through questions and interviews with local communities. The statistical population of the research consisted of local communities, and a sample size of380 people was calculated in the studied area, which was sampled by the cluster method considering the population of each village. The validity of the research to measure the appropriateness of the questionnaires prepared by structural and formal methods was determined through the opinions of experts and special