Forest protection policy: Lesson learned from Arasbaran biosphere reserve in Northwest Iran

•This research aims to explore the effectiveness of various forest management policies.•Results showed the higher biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resources in protected forest areas.•Results showed the total nitrogen and potassium of the soil in the protected area was higher than the unprotected area.•Organic carbon content of the soil in the protected area was higher compared to the unprotected area.•Forest conservation can be heavily influenced by natural disturbances.