A Cry for Survival: Quercus brantii and the Looming Crisis of the Zagros Oak Forest of Iran

This ancient sentry, Quercus brantii, an oak native to the Zagros Mountains in Iran, has come to be symbolically considered resilient against the hardships that living beings must undergo in this semi-arid land. More than just trees, these oaks are a mainstay of a tenuous ecosystem—a lifeline of local communities, a haven and treasure chest for biodiversity. But today, their future hangs by a thread. These stories are not about mere environmental degradation but about urgency, crisis, and—If not acted upon immediately—loss.

Persian oak: the lifeblood of the Zagros ecosystem

The Zagros Mountains forest steppe occupies an area of over five million hectares in the southwest of Iran. The Persian oak, Q. brantii, is a keystone species maintaining a fragile balance in the life of the mountains, which are home to over 1,000 plant species and varied fauna, including threatened animals such as the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ssp. tulliana, Endangered). The oaks of this area contribute to hydrological cycles by reducing surface runoff, increasing groundwater recharge, and feeding vital springs that support life in this arid region. Their deep roots anchor the soil, preventing erosion and maintaining soil fertility in steep, rugged terrains.

The Zagros Mountains have millions of inhabitants whose lives are closely related to these forests. For thousands of years, local communities have harvested acorns and firewood, and grazed livestock within them. Persian oaks have contributed to the cultural identity of the area, as an integral part of local folk tales and stories, often representing unyielding determination in adversity.

However, today, this historic relationship between human beings and nature is being attacked.

Threats: novel challenges faced by Persian oak forests

Climate change is having a profound effect on the region. Records for the last two decades indicate that drought has taken a great toll, as rain has diminished by almost 20 percent, coupled with a 1.5 degrees centigrade rise in temperatures. This has precipitated mass dieback with around 30-40 percent mortality of oaks. The impact on the woodlands is exacerbated by a divergence in the growing seasons which is disrupting the regime of oak regeneration.

The forest also suffers from unsustainable human exploitation. It is being slowly cleared for agriculture, urbanization and road construction, which have led to a loss of 25 percent of the tree cover within three decades. Some 15 million head of livestock roam the Zagros area every year, crushing and browsing seedlings and stripping the oak forest of its potential to regenerate. Despite legal regulation, extensive illicit firewood harvesting occurs especially during cold winter months.

Forest fires have grown increasingly severe and have become more common recently. In the years between 2020 and 2023, over 20,000 hectares of Zagros forest land were lost annually to fire. Most fires have been attributed to human negligence, including agricultural burns and inappropriate forest management. Fire does not only burn mature trees: it also destroys the seed bank, which militates against any natural recovery.

Weakened by drought and deforestation, Persian oaks are now falling prey to diseases, including Charcoal Disease. The fungus Biscogniauxia mediterranea favors drought-stressed trees and kills extensive numbers of Persian oaks. Some studies report 20% infection levels of standing trees.

Pest infestations are also increasing. Bark beetles and leaf miners are contributing to mortality. The fragmented nature of remaining oak forests is preventing gene flow, making the populations susceptible to disease and climate stress. Research indicates a 45% population decline over the past 50 years, to the extent that Q. brantii faces functional extinction within the next decades if serious actions are not undertaken.

The loss of oak forest will have a ripple effect, with dependent flora and fauna extinction and implications for human livelihoods. The Persian oak is not just a species: it is a linchpin for life in the Zagros mountains. Its extinction would mark the collapse of an ecosystem that has withstood millennia.

A call to action: saving Persian oaks

There have been some conservation programs focused on preserving Zagros oak forests, such as planting saplings and intensifying the fight against timber smuggling, but challenges such as deforestation, grazing pressure, and climate change remain important concerns. In short, conservation policies and measures are not keeping pace with the rapid rate of oak forest loss. The Persian oak crisis demands immediate, coordinated action at local, national, and international levels. Below are the key pillars of a comprehensive conservation strategy:

Restoration and Reforestation

• Planting Persian oaks on large, degraded areas with disease- and drought-resistant seedlings
• Assisted natural regeneration: fencing and reducing grazing pressure around the remaining saplings

Climate Resilience

• Research in producing drought-resistant oak varieties
• Micro-catchments to be integrated in the restoration areas for a better retention of water in the soils

Governance

• Increased deterrence by punitive measures on illegal loggers and land converters
• Better fire control and management through early detection

Community Engagement

• Alternative livelihoods: ecotourism or sustainable non-timber forest product harvesting to eliminate the exploitation of forests
• Educating local communities about the Persian oaks and the importance of sustainable practices

Research and International Cooperation

• Work cooperatively with international organizations, such as the International Oak Society, to share skills and expertise
• Long-term ecological research to monitor forest health and recognize re-emerging threats

Conclusion: a race against time

Standing between survival and extinction, the Persian oak, majestically standing guard over the Zagros mountains of Iran, is at the crossroads. The time for complacency is over. These forests present us with a moral imperative—a test of our ability to protect life that has given us so much.

Will we step up to the challenge, or will we let these silent giants fall, leaving us with a barren landscape and haunting remnants of what has been?

The story of the Persian oak is still being written—but the next chapter depends on us.

Further reading

Bashiri, S., J. Abdollahzadeh, and A. Evidente. 2022. Diagnosing and pathogenicity of Biscogniauxia species, the causal agents of oak charcoal canker and decline in Zagros forests of Iran. Journal of Plant Pathology. DOI: 10.1007/s42161-022-01124-z

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2020. Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2020). https://www.fao.org/interactive/forest-resources-assessment/2020/en/

Global Forest Watch. 2023. Deforestation Data for Iran. https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/IRN/

Mahdavi, A., V. Mirzaei Zadeh, M. Niknezhad, and O. Karami. 2015. Assessment and Prediction of Oak Trees Decline Using Logistic Regression Model (Case Study: Bivareh Forest, Malekshahi-Ilam)." Iranian Journal of Forest and Range Protection Research 13(1): 20-33. https://ijfrpr.areeo.ac.ir/article_102389.html?lang=en

Shiravand, H., S. Khaledi, and S. Behzadi. 2019. Evaluation and Prediction of Decline of Oak Forests in Middle Zagros (Lorestan Section) with a Climate Change Approach. Iranian Journal of Forest and Range Protection Research 17(1): 64-81. https://ijfrpr.areeo.ac.ir/article_119992.html?lang=en