The Geographical Analysis of Environmental Threats to Natural Plants in the Sharbazher District

Abstract

The Sharbazher district is rich in natural vegetation with (49%) of the area consisting of forest and other natural vegetation belts. Protecting this vegetation belt is an environmental necessity, as it has faced several environmental threats in the last two decades. The study identified environmental threats and evaluated the measures and efforts taken to protect this vegetation belt. The research used a (reading) method, followed by analytical and comparative methods. Field surveys of the study area were conducted on several different dates, data were collected and scenes were observed. The study found that along with natural threats, manmade threats are more significantly affecting the vegetation ecology of the region. Rainfall fluctuations have had a more notable impact on short vegetation and pastures. From summer to early winter, an environmental instability occurred that resulted in damaging riverside vegetation and streams, many of which during the years (20172022-) about (2310) trees were cut down, most of which were (Oak) trees, but according to the study’s estimation, more than (16000) trees were cut down during the same period. Until now, charcoal is made in coal furnaces from natural forest trees and this is carried out without official permission, during the years (20172022-) more than (20,000 acres) of weed and natural forests in the region have been burned. Also during the years (20012020-), there have been changes in the vegetation belts and land cover of the region, the area of dense and medium forest belts has increased, but the area of open forest belts has decreased, and there have been major changes in the land area of human settlements. The study outlines ways to protect the vegetation belt and emphasises the enforcement of Implemented laws on the protection of plants and forests. Keywords: Natural plants, Environmental threats, Forest law, Sharbazher district.