Abstract:
Ground surface, at the scale of watershed, is considered as a complicated mosaic of
capabilities and environmental hazards (the conflict point between society and nature),
whose intensity and numerical value of profit and loss for the land use planning and
sustainable development can be evaluated using different objective and subjective
models. To identify the risk areas, at first, the assessment of current status of the
watershed area was considered from the, physical (soil erosion, water quality),
ecological (vegetation type and density) and the social- economic (income) points of
view. For this purpose, the model of SWAT as well as WQI and NDVI indices were
used. The economic status was studied and analyzed using questionnaires.The
thresholds level of the mentioned indices was determine. To assess each parameter of
erosion, the Skidmore formula was used. The quality of water
was assessed using drinking water standards. To evaluate the vegetation cover, the
standard of minimum average size of spot was used. The rural poverty line was also
used to determine social-economic condition. The risk areas were determined by
comparing the value of each parameter with their threshold levels. According to the
results, 20% of the study area was above the threshold level of erosion and 15% was
below the ecological threshold level. The average annual household income of the
villagers was below the poverty line. The results showed that recognizing the risk areas
and using risk land-use planning approach could play a more effective role in
management activities and decision making. This research can determine the direction
of the essential projects in the watershed and leads to more effective executive
priorities.
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