Analysis and identification of the conflict between gardeners in Qazvin and the Iranian squirrel species (Sciurus anomalus)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master of Environmental Planning, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Planning and Design, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Resource and Environmental Economics, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Gardens in the city are an important and strategic use, so that they can be considered one of the indicators of the city's development. One of the most important traditional gardens in the country is the Qazvin City Garden, which is approximately a thousand years old and was registered in the list of national monuments of Iran in 2014 and is considered a spiritual and intangible heritage. One of the new challenges for gardeners in recent years, which has increased their desire to change the use of gardens, is the presence of the non-native species of the Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) in this area. The aim of this research is to identify the values and beliefs of gardeners in the Qazvin Garden in order to better manage conflicts and provide necessary strategies to control the problems facing gardeners and also to preserve the biodiversity of the Persian squirrel species. The research method is descriptive-analytical, and according to the number of gardeners, information was collected and analyzed from 120 people using a random sampling method according to the Cochran formula. The findings show that the most cultivated crops in the studied orchards are pistachio and almond trees, which account for 89.3 and 86 percent, respectively, and according to the results obtained, squirrels cause the most damage to these two crops. 96.7 percent of the orchardists stated that squirrels destroy unripe pistachios and almonds before the crop is fully ripe. Due to the considerable damage (220 million Tomans per year on average for each orchard) that squirrels cause to traditional orchards in Qazvin, physical removal is generally done through guard dogs or direct hunting. According to the research findings, it is necessary to seriously prevent the species from entering new habitats by raising awareness among the public and gardeners, and to prevent the change in use of gardens in Qazvin city through solutions such as taking advantage of crop insurance benefits to compensate for damage, as well as practical training for gardeners to learn peaceful methods of dealing with the non-native species of the Iranian squirrel.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Aghbolaghi, M. A., Ahmadzadeh, F., Kiabi, B. H., & Keyghobadi, N. (2020). Evolutionary history of the Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus): It emerged on the Eurasian continent in the Miocene. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 287, 17-24.
Alert and Molleman, Fink, S., Chandler, R., Chamberlain, M., Castleberry, S., & Glosenger-Thrasher, S. (2020). Distribution and activity patterns of large carnivores and their implications for human–carnivore conflict management in Namibia. Human–Wildlife Interactions, 14(2), 16.
Andaroudi, A., & Sahrakaran, B. (2017). Cultural Landscape of the Traditional Garden of Qazvin: A Study of Basic Concepts and Analysis of Elements and Characteristics in the Physical Domain. Bagh-e-Nazar Journal, Year 14, Issue 50. (In Persian)
Asadolahi, M. (2017). Investigating the conflict between farmers and wildlife and providing a solution to reduce conflicts in Mazandaran Province. Master's thesis. Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University. (In Persian)
Can-Hernández, G., Villanueva-García, C., Gordillo-Chávez, E. J., Pacheco-Figueroa, C. J., Pérez-Netzahual, E., & García-Morales, R. (2019). Wildlife damage to crops adjacent to a protected area in southeastern Mexico: farmers’ perceptions versus actual impact. Human–Wildlife Interactions, 13(3), 11.
Dizani, A., (2017). Qazvin Traditional Garden: An Urban Edge with Efficient Nature. Nazar Research Institute Publications.
Dunn, M., Marzano, M., Forster, J., & Gill, R. M. (2018). Public attitudes towards “pest” management:             Perceptions on squirrel management strategies in the UK. Biological Conservation, 222, 52-63.
Else, J. G. (1991). Nonhuman primates as pests. In Primate responses to environmental change (pp. 155-165). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.
Eniang, E. A., Ijeomah, H. M., Okeyoyin, G., & Uwatt, A. E. (2011). Assessment of human–wildlife conflicts in Filinga range of Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria. Production Agriculture and Technology Journal, 1, 15-35.
Fink, S., Chandler, R., Chamberlain, M., Castleberry, S., & Glosenger-Thrasher, S. (2020). Distribution and activity patterns of large carnivores and their implications for human–carnivore conflict management in Namibia. Human–Wildlife Interactions, 14(2), 16.
Gamarakchi, Y.(2020). A look at the identity elements of the traditional garden of Qazvin city from the perspective of agricultural heritage. (In Persian)
 
Gamarakchi, Y., Akbari, M., & Younesi, M. (2019). Estimating the biological rights of the traditional garden of Qazvin city using remote sensing capabilities. Journal of Environment, Volume 45, Issue 2, Pages 237-252. (In Persian)
Ghadirian Baharanchi, O., Hemami, M. R., & Yousefpour, R. (2024). Spatial Conservation Prioritization of Persian Squirrel Based on Habitat Suitability and Climate-Induced Forest Mortality Risk. Forests, 15(2), 290.
Ghasemi, M., Ghasemi, SH., & golmohammadi, M. (2021). Technical guidelines for squirrel control in almond orchards. Horticultural Sciences Research Institute, Temperate and Cold-Temperate Fruit Research Institute. (In Persian)
Ghasemitabar, M., & khatibi, MR. (2020). Investigating the preferences of users of public spaces at the entrance to cities with an emphasis on environmental criteria (case study: traditional gardens around the eastern entrance to Qazvin). Environmental Science and Technology, Volume 23, Issue 8. (In Persian)
Golchoubi, D., Salehi, A., & Karimi, S. (2017). Investigating and evaluating the principles and criteria of resilience in the sustainability of urban gardens (case study: District 1 of Tehran Municipality). Sustainable City Quarterly, Volume 1, Issue 1. (In Persian)
Hanley, N., & Roberts, M. (2019). The economic benefits of invasive species management. People and Nature, 1(2), 124-137.
Hill, C., Osborn, F., & Plumptre, A. J. (2002). Human-wildlife conflict: Identifying the problem and possible solutions.
Kapitza, K., Zimmermann, H., Martín-López, B., & von Wehrden, H. (2019). Research on the social perception of invasive species: A systematic literature review. NeoBiota, 43, 47-68.
Leaver, L. A., Jayne, K., & Lea, S. E. G. (2017). Behavioral flexibility versus rules of thumb: how do grey squirrels deal with conflicting risks? Behavioral Ecology, 28(1), 186–192. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arw146
Madden, F. (2004). Creating coexistence between humans and wildlife: global perspectives on local efforts to address human–wildlife conflict. Human dimensions of wildlife, 9(4), 247-257.
Manfredo, M.J. and Dayer, A.A. (2004). Concepts for Exploring the Social Aspects of Human–Wildlife Conflict in a Global Context. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 9:317–328.
Messmer, T.A. (2009). Human–wildlife conflicts: emerging challenges and opportunities. Human Wildlife Conflicts, 3(1):10–17.
Mojo, D., Rothschuh, J., & Alebachew, M. (2014). Farmers’ perceptions of the impacts of human–wildlife conflict on their livelihood and natural resource management efforts in Cheha Woreda of Guraghe Zone, Ethiopia. Human-wildlife interactions, 8(1), 67-77.
Muruthi, P. (2005). Human–wildlife conflict: lessons learned from African Wildlife Foundation’s African Heartlands. Africa Wildlife Foundation, Nairobi.
Palmer, G. H., Koprowski, J., & Pernas, T. (2007). Tree squirrels as invasive species: conservation and management implications.
Provencher, L., et al. (2020). Woody Cover Mediates Fox and Gray Squirrel Interactions. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 8, Article 239. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2020.00239
Redpath, S. M., Young, J., Evely, A., Adams, W. M., Sutherland, W. J., Whitehouse, A., ... & Gutierrez, R. J. (2013). Understanding and managing conservation conflicts. Trends in ecology & evolution, 28(2), 100-109.
Smith, M., & Jones, T. (2000). A study of the gray squirrel in urban environments: Impacts and management strategies. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Retrieved from https://seafwa.org/sites/default/files/journal-articles/GRAY-SQUIRREL-356.pdf. 
Treves, A., Wallace, R. B., Naughton-Treves, L., & Morales, A. (2006). Co-managing human–wildlife conflicts: a review. Human dimensions of wildlife, 11(6), 383-396.
Mashhoudi, S. (2015). Invisible enemies of agricultural lands, gardens and the environment. Invisible enemies of the environment and gardens. Article 233. (In Persian)
Specialized Agricultural Land Statistics. (2018). Iranian Land Affairs Organization.
Safari, M. (2020). Evaluation of the traditional garden of Qazvin as a historical manifestation of the ecological network and urban green infrastructure. Fifth International Conference on Civil Engineering, Architecture and Sustainable Green City. (In Persian)
Egerer, M. H. (2019). Local and Landscape Drivers of Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, and Human Well-being in Urban Agroecosystems. University of California, Santa Cruz.
Ash, A., Zhao, Y., Covarrubias, E. P., Doncaster, C. P., Spake, R., Gill, R. M., & Nichols, C. P. (2022). A Systematic Map of Research Exploring the Ecological Modifiers and Consequences of Bark Damaging Behaviour in Squirrel Species.
Mill, A. C., Crowley, S. L., Lambin, X., McKinney, C., Maggs, G., Robertson, P., ... & Marzano, M. (2020). The challenges of long‐term invasive mammal management: lessons from the UK. Mammal Review, 50(2), 136-146.
Kapitza, K., Zimmermann, H., Martín-López, B., & von Wehrden, H. (2019). Research on the social perception of invasive species: a systematic literature review. NeoBiota, 43, 47-68.
Hanley, N., & Roberts, M. (2019). The economic benefits of invasive species management. People and Nature, 1(2), 124-137.
Gaertner, M., Novoa, A., Fried, J., & Richardson, D. M. (2017). Managing invasive species in cities: a decision support framework applied to Cape Town. Biological Invasions, 19, 3707-3723.
Aronson, M. F., Lepczyk, C. A., Evans, K. L., Goddard, M. A., Lerman, S. B., MacIvor, J. S., ... & Vargo, T. (2017). Biodiversity in the city: key challenges for urban green space management. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 15(4), 189-196.
Sagoff, M. (2005). Do non-native species threaten the natural environment. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 18, 215-236.
Ghasempour, R. Imani Harsini, J. Kabli, M. Alambeigi, A. (2021). Antecedent analysis of attitudes towards the invasion of the Iranian squirrel species (Sciurus anomalus) in Alborz and Qazvin provinces: Presenting a structural equation model for the management and control of the invasion process. Environmental Science and Technology, Volume 24, Number 2, (61-78). (In Persian)
Ahmadzadeh, F. Asadi, M. Kiai, B. (2019). Challenges of protecting the native species of Iranian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) in the Zagros oak forests. Journal of Environment and Development, No. 19, (171-178). (In Persian)
Journal of Society and the Environment
Volume 2, Issue 6
October 2025
Pages 169-198

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics