Assistant Professor, Research Division of Forest and Range, Mazandaran Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Sari, Iran
Damavand, the highest peak of Iran and one of the world's leading conic peaks, is a unique ecosystem, enjoying a variety of plant and animal species due to the significant difference in height and presence of numerous valleys and slopes. Mountainous and semi-mountainous plant species is a feature of the Damavand ecosystem and the presence of some endemic species adds to its importance. Damavand natural potentials provide favorable conditions for ranching, beekeeping, tourism and mountaineering. The presence of glaciers, crystal ice walls and towers, gas and steam cavities, sulfur masses, hot springs and mineral water in the Damavand foothills, a big mouth with ice ponds, and a cone shape are other features of this peak. Indicator plant species and natural potentials have provided good conditions for hiking and mountaineering. However, Damavand is currently encountered with serious injuries and dangers including livestock overgrazing, road construction and land use change, overexploitation of medicinal plants, as well as tourism and mountaineering, which is incompatible with the natural environment.
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