Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Ahvaz, Iran.
2
Department of Soil Science, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources university of Khuzestan, Iran.
3
Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Water Management Research Center, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
4
Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
Abstract
Today, land degradation (LD) has become a socio-economic problem in various regions of the world. However, locally effective and up-to-date assessments that account for the LD spatial variability and operational prioritization of areas for restoration at the high-risk protected regions are scant. Given the high risk of LD and low productivity of the Zagros region of Iran, we used the Sheida Protected Region (SPR) as a test case for exploring the potential LD and identifying the restoration priorities to maximize conservation value and finding continued funding to improve the ecosystem resilience. Under the umbrella of the Modified Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use (MMEDALUS) approach, the land sensitivity to degradation was assessed based on five quality indices (soil, climate, physiography, vegetation cover, and land management) in four groups: low (100-120), moderate (121-135), severe (136-153), and very severe (more than 153) in the 16 land components. The Quantitative results showed that mean soil, climate, physiographic, vegetation, and land management quality indices are 140±5, 150±1, 134±4,135±18, and 135±13, respectively. About 43.81% of the SPR falls into the severe condition and other parts of it were categorized in the moderate class. FRAGSTATS software application showed that among the 70 available landscape metrics at the landscape level (Land-unit), 16 landscape metrics had a significant correlation (r>0.46; sig. <0.07) with LDI, emphasizing the high threat of LD in the region. Based on MMEDALUS results and various field visits of the area, appropriate and cost-effective solutions in terms of mechanical, biological, and management operations were proposed.
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