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Mehranjani Mohammad Soleimani, Tahereh Nemati, Tajeddin Karami, Ahmad Zanganeh, Taher Parizadi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (8-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 1 (8-2025)
Abstract
Aging is one of the most prominent indicators of demographic decline that most modern societies experience. At this stage of demographic decline, alongside a decrease and stabilization of mortality rates, birth rates also sharply decline. The development of technology and the mechanization of tasks, the improvement of quality of life and health-related indicators, individual-centered lifestyles, and increased economic inflation are significant factors in this issue. Iran is also among the countries on the verge of entering the stage of demographic decline. However, the intensity of this trend varies in different regions of the country. This article examines and analyzes the state of aging in the neighborhoods of the metropolis of Tehran. This research falls into the category of applied research in terms of purpose and is descriptive-analytical in terms of method. The research is based on the census data from 2016 and utilizes spatial statistical analyses. The positive values of Moran's autocorrelation analysis for each of the indices: aging (0.664), old-age dependency ratio (0.644), youth ratio (0.653), aging ratio (0.664), and aging index (0.665) in the neighborhoods of Tehran indicate a clustered pattern. This means that the issue of aging is more acute in some neighborhoods and areas of Tehran. Accordingly, the density of the elderly population is higher in most neighborhoods of the central and northern parts of the city. The final result shows that the distribution of the elderly space follows the logic of the social macro-ecology of Tehran and is relatively consistent with its natural-social topography. Furthermore, the spatial analysis of aging in the neighborhoods of this city shows that although all neighborhoods generally grapple with the issue of aging, planning and management should be based on the patterns and nature of the spatial distribution of this issue.
Saeid Shabani, Behrooz Mohseni, Aiding Kornejady, Akram Ahmadi, Hassan Faramarzi, Esmaeil Silakhori,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (8-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 1 (8-2025)
Abstract
Deforestation is one of the primary challenges and environmental threats facing forest ecosystems, including the Hyrcanian forests, and occurs under the influence of various natural and anthropogenic drivers. This study aimed to model the probability of deforestation occurrence within the Loveh forest management district located in northern Iran. The dataset comprised 104 documented deforestation points and 14 explanatory variables, derived through spatial analysis using GIS and environmental, topographic, and anthropogenic data. To assess the relationships among variables and predict the likelihood of deforestation, two statistical models were employed: logistic regression and the Generalized Additive Model (GAM). The results revealed that the GAM outperformed the logistic regression model, achieving a higher Kappa coefficient (0.84) and Area Under the Curve (AUC) value (0.956), and providing a more realistic spatial distribution of deforestation risk. The most influential variables included distance from roads, slope, wind effect, and elevation. Based on the GAM output, approximately 20% of the study area was categorized as high and very high risk. These findings underscore the pivotal role of access infrastructure, human pressure, and climatic factors in accelerating deforestation processes. The results of this study can serve as a scientific basis for prioritizing conservation interventions, reassessing road development policies, and enhancing spatial planning for sustainable forest management in northern Iran.
Dr Samira Mahmoodi, Masoume Noroozinezhad,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
The vulnerability of rural settlements to environmental hazards necessitates attention to local resilience. The aim of this study was to prioritize the factors affecting the physical-environmental and institutional resilience of Divshal rural district. The approach of the present study is descriptive-analytical and survey. Data collection was done in two forms: documentary and field (expert questionnaire). The statistical population of the study is 16 Rural managers of Divshal rural district. Using DEMATEL and ANP techniques, the obtained data were analyzed. According to the results of the ANP method, the sub-criteria of respecting the privacy of roads and preserving indigenous and cultural identity in new constructions have the greatest impact on the resilience of the study area. Also in the quality index of passages, sub-criteria of observing the privacy of passages; In the index of quality of access to services and infrastructure, quality of access to welfare and administrative services; In the shelter index, the existence of a strong public shelter in critical situations; In the index of quality of housing and constructions, preservation of indigenous and cultural identity in new constructions; In the environmental quality index, waste collection and disposal; In land use quality index, proper location of land uses; In the context of institutions, the existence of administrative organizations and institutions to help people; And in the Index of Institutional Relations, the cooperation of institutions in facilitating laws and giving credit to the people has the greatest effect on physical-environmental and institutional resilience.
Mis Vajihe Gholizade, Dr Amir Saffari, Dr Ali Ahmadabadi, Dr Amir Karam,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: Assessing the vulnerability and pollution of the aquifer is necessary for the management, development and allocation of land use, quality monitoring, prevention and protection of groundwater pollution. The purpose of this research is to identify and analyze the qualitative vulnerability of the Mashhad plain aquifer in order to monitor and manage underground water resources and prevent its future pollution.
Methodology: Mashhad plain is located in the northeast of Iran between Binaloud and Hezarmasjed mountains and in the watershed of the Kasfroud river, and its area is 2527 square kilometers. In this research, the vulnerability of the Mashhad Plain aquifer was evaluated with DRASTIC and SI models, and ArcGIS was used to analyze the parameters and prepare the vulnerability map. DRASTIC model is one of the overlap and index methods. In this method, the seven measurable parameters for the hydrogeological system include the depth of the groundwater level(D), net recharge(R), aquifer environment(A), soil environment(S), topography(T), Impact of the unsaturated Zone(I) and hydraulic conductivity(C) is used. The ratings for the sub-layers of each criterion vary from one to ten depending on their impact on the vulnerability potential. In SI method, five parameters of groundwater depth(D), net recharge (R), aquifer lithology(A), topography(T) and landuse(LU) are used for aquifer vulnerability. After preparing the SI model layers and weighting each of the layer classes using the functions available in the ArcGIS, the sensitivity index is obtained from the weighted sum of the mentioned parameters.
Conclusion: Study area is divided into four zones with very low vulnerability(21.85%), low(32.09%), medium to low(31.05%) and medium to high vulnerability(14.59%). Also, based on the results of the SI model, the study area is divided into five areas with very low vulnerability(0.4%), low(24.63%), medium to low(23.98%), medium to high(18.71%) and high vulnerability(32.25%). In general, the vulnerability of the aquifer increases from the southeast to the northwest.For verification, statistical method and calculation of correlation coefficient between vulnerability maps and TDS layer was used in TerrSet software and the results showed that both DRASTIC and SI models have high accuracy in zoning the vulnerability of Mashhad plain aquifer, so that the correlation coefficient of vulnerability maps with index The quality of TDS in Drastic model is (0.996) and in SI model (0.995); Therefore, the results of the following research can be used in environmental assessments and analysis of various pollutions and can be used as a basis for management decisions.
Dr Saleh Arekhi, Mr Habib Allah Kour, Somia Emadaddian,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Reducing the emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation REDD is a strategy to moderate climate change, which is used to reduce the intensity of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries. In the last few decades, drastic changes in land use have caused a significant decrease in Hyrkan forests located in Mazandaran province. For this purpose, the aim of this study is to investigate the changes in land use and its prediction for the year 2050 using the Markov chain and the REDD project to reduce carbon dioxide emissions for the cities of Nowshahr and Chalus. Using the images of TM and ETM+ sensors of Landsat satellite, a land use map has been prepared in three time periods related to the years 1989, 2000 and 2021. Maximum likelihood method was used to classify images from supervised classification. From the error matrix, the Kappa coefficient in this evaluation was equal to 0.83 for 1989, 0.81 for 2000, and 0.92 for 2021. The results show that the forest cover decreases in 2050. In contrast, the area of range land, city, barren land, agriculture and wetland will increase. Based on the goals of the REDD project, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions was calculated until 2050. If the REDD project is not implemented, a large area of forest cover will be destroyed and a lot of carbon dioxide is released. The amount of carbon dioxide in the project area in 2021 is 49,681 tons and will reach 806,732 tons by 2051, and with the implementation of the REDD project in the region, this amount of gas can be increased to the equivalent of 402,321 tons. 404411 tons of carbon dioxide was prevented from entering the upper atmosphere of the earth. Examining changes using satellite images can help managers and planners to make more informed decisions.
Enayat Asdalahi, Mehry Akbary, Zahra Hejazizadeh,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: The main goal of this research is to identify and analyze the seasonality of the most widespread Torrential rains in Iran during the years 1940 to 2023.
Methods: To achieve this goal, precipitation data was obtained from the ECMWF database with a spatial resolution of 0.25 by 0.25 degrees of arc for the Iranian region during the study period. The next step was to calculate the threshold of torrential precipitation for each cell seasonally using the 95th percentile, and days with torrential precipitation were identified. By applying the condition of the highest spatial spread of the 95th percentile, the days with the most widespread precipitation above the threshold were identified for each season. Finally, the prevailing atmospheric conditions were examined.
Results: Analysis shows that the highest precipitation of 146.85 mm occurs in winter and the lowest of 85 mm occurs in summer. The highest spatial coverage of total precipitation occurs in spring (41.9), winter (40.69), autumn (32.55) and summer (16.84), respectively.The analysis of sea level pressure indicates that during widespread precipitation in the summer, a low-pressure belt extended from the westernmost to the easternmost regions of the upper atmosphere map, encompassing Iran. In contrast, during other seasons, a high-pressure belt was present in the same area. At the 500 hectopascal level in summer, a closed high-pressure dynamic cell was observed over Iran, while at the 850 hectopascal level, two low-pressure centers over Saudi Arabia and Pakistan intensified instability over Iran. Consequently, it is evident that at lower levels, the conditions for atmospheric precipitation were stable, and even the omega level at 500 hectopascals over Iran on that day indicated a weak upward movement of air. However, in other seasons, a trough consistently positioned over western Iran, with active band patterns in spring and winter, facilitated the slowing and diversion of currents toward moisture sources, thereby enabling the transfer of more moisture than normal conditions to Iran. The precipitation study revealed that, except for the summer season, wind dominated over Iran. The presence of wind intensified instability at lower levels. A study of the Atmospheric River reveals that during widespread rainfall across all seasons, the Atmospheric River, which originates from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, has consistently been present. However, in the fall and winter seasons, a branch from the Mediterranean Sea also contributes, resulting in increased rainfall.
Dr Saeedmohammad Sabouri, Dr Sayed Amirhossien Garakani,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: Investigating the occurrence of land subsidence in the country and the extent to which rural settlements are exposed to the phenomenon of land subsidence. Methods: The present study was based on library surveys and studies, field observations and impressions. Using information received from the National Mapping Organization, a map of the country's subsidence zones and the degree of risk of each zone, including very low, low, medium, high and very high risk, was drawn, and the aforementioned maps were compared with the location of the villages. Results: According to the analysis of the available data, 302 villages are at very high risk, 768 villages are at high risk, 834 villages are in the medium risk zone, and 573 villages are in the low risk zone. In terms of percentage weight, about 4 percent of the country's villages are at medium to very high risk of subsidence, of which 1,904 villages are at medium to very high risk, and 573 villages are at low risk. Conclusions: The highest provincial distribution of villages at risk of subsidence in the country with a very high degree is in the provinces of Alborz, Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, Qazvin, Kerman, Golestan and Hamedan, and the highest provincial distribution with a high degree is in the provinces of West Azerbaijan, Isfahan, Alborz, Tehran, Khorasan Razavi, Semnan, Qazvin, Kerman, Golestan, East Azerbaijan, Hamedan and Yazd. Also, the highest provincial distribution of villages at risk of medium-level subsidence is in the provinces of East and West Azerbaijan, Isfahan, Alborz, Tehran, Semnan, Qazvin, Kerman, Golestan, Mazandaran, Markazi, Hormozgan, Hamedan, and Yazd.
Esmaeil Kavyanpour Sangeno, Sadroddin Motavalli, Sara Gholami, Gholamreza Janbaz Ghobadi,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Waste management is one of the main challenges faced by modern cities. Given the population growth and the increasing generation of waste, there is a growing need for innovative and intelligent methods in this field. Smart growth indicators can serve as tools to improve urban waste management. A waste management system comprises a set of activities aimed at organizing community waste through engineering and sanitary approaches. One of the most significant problems of coastal areas is the lack of proper waste management. Smart growth in waste management focuses on integrating technology and sustainable practices to optimize waste collection, reduce environmental impacts, and promote recycling. This study presents key indicators and trends related to smart waste management. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data via a descriptive survey. The study collected opinions from 20 experts in waste management and urban growth issues, as well as from randomly selected residents of Mahmoudabad city. Data analysis was conducted using grounded theory for qualitative data and structural equation modeling for quantitative data. The results indicate that the smart growth indicator of modern leadership, with a mean score of 4.6, and adequate infrastructure, with a mean score of 4.04, hold the highest average values among the smart growth indicators affecting waste management in the coastal city of Mahmoudabad.
Dr. Sousan Heidari, Dr. Mostafa Karimi, Dr. Ghasem Azizi, Dr. Aliakbar Shamsipour,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Drought is one of the most significant natural hazards, characterized by complex spatiotemporal patterns. This study analyzes the structural and spatial characteristics of droughts in Iran across three temporal scales: annual, seasonal, and monthly. To achieve this, the intensity and extent of droughts were calculated using the RAI index and ERA5 monthly precipitation data over 42 years (1979–2021). Initially, the spatial distribution and directional trends of the drought centroid were examined, and its spatial variations over the years were analyzed. Additionally, the relationship between the location of the drought centroid and its extent was investigated. The results revealed that during the cold season, the drought centroid is primarily concentrated in central Iran, while in the warm season, it shifts toward the northwest, the Caspian Sea coast, and the southeastern regions of the country. The distribution pattern of droughts at all scales predominantly follows a northwest-to-southeast trajectory. Furthermore, shifts in the drought centroid toward the northeast, east, southeast, and south were observed to coincide with an increase in drought extent, whereas shifts toward the north, northwest, and west were associated with a reduction in drought extent. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrate a direct relationship between the location of the drought centroid and changes in drought extent, despite the fact that droughts in Iran lack consistent and predictable spatiotemporal patterns
Dr Nabi Mirzaei, Dr Bouhlul Alijani, Dr Mohamad Darand,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
subtropical high pressure (STHP) and Mediterranean cyclone are among the most important synoptic systems affecting Iran's climate. In this study, the effect of the high altitude location of the sthp on the Mediterranean gyres during the droughts and wetness of Iran during 1979 to 2020 was analyzed. In this regard, two datasets were used. Station data were used to identify drought and wetness periods, and ECMWF-ERA5 grid data was used to identify the location of high pressure in the subtropical region. The results showed that STHP with 3 anticyclone cells (ridge) affects the position of atmospheric waves affecting Iran's rainfall. The STHP system, especially the Arabian Subtropical anticyclone (ASA) and North Africa, play a more important role in the location of the cyclone affecting Iran's rainfall, so that widespread droughts with the expansion of the ASA to the west and its integration with the African anticyclone, the lack of expansion of the Mediterranean trough to the sea Redness and reduction of Sudan low and Mediterranean integration systems occur. With the eastward movement of the ASA over the Arabian Sea and the northern Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean trough deepens and the amount of waves and consequently the rainfall of the country increases. Therefore, the eastward expansion of the Arabian Peninsula and the strengthening of the North African Ridge provide the conditions for the expansion of the Mediterranean Sea. Whenever the ASA is located in its easternmost position on the Oman Sea and the Arabian Sea, it will lead to the advection of moisture for Iran through the access to the large areas of southern water and eventually rainfall. The main cause of the occurrence of drought and wetness in Iran is the spatial variations of atmospheric waves due to the spatial variations in the ASA.
Dr Bromand Salahi, Mr Mahdi Frotan,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
The ENSO weather phenomenon, including El Niño and La Niña phases, has significant effects on precipitation, temperature, and drought patterns in different regions of the world. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ENSO indices such as MEI, SOI, and NINO oscillations with drought indices (TCI, VCI, VHI, and SPI) in the provinces of Guilan, Golestan, and Mazandaran from 2013 to 2022. Satellite data of NDVI, LST, and precipitation were extracted from Google Earth Engine to calculate drought indices, and ENSO data were obtained from the NOAA website for correlation analysis. The results showed that the MEI index had a positive and significant correlation with SPI and showed a decrease in drought with an increase in precipitation, but had a weak relationship with other drought indices. The SOI index showed a negative and significant correlation with SPI, indicating the effect of La Niña on increasing drought, especially in Golestan province. The El Niño indices were positively correlated with SPI in the northern provinces of Iran, confirming the effect of reducing drought and increasing precipitation. During the El Niño phase, the northern regions of the studied provinces experienced an increase in temperature and the south of Mazandaran province experienced subzero temperatures, while during the La Niña phase, the temperature increased and the northern regions of the studied provinces experienced higher temperatures. Vegetation was denser in the south of Golestan province and the east of Mazandaran province during the El Niño phase, but it decreased during the La Niña phase. The SPI index showed that drought during the El Niño phase was more widespread and severe in the western half of the studied provinces and more extensive and severe during the La Niña phase. The VHI index showed better vegetation health in El Niño, especially in Gilan and Mazandaran provinces, and decreased health in La Niña phase, especially in Mazandaran and Golestan provinces.
Phd Student Abdul Aziz Qazizada, Phd Kamal Omidvar, Phd Ghulmali Muzafari, Phd Ahmmad Mazedi,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
Abstract
Objective:The Kabul Basin is one of the most vulnerable regions in Afghanistan due to the frequency of heavy rainfalls and devastating floods. This study aims to identify heavy rainfall events (above 20 mm) and analyze their synoptic mechanisms, focusing on their causes and patterns.
Methods:The study uses a descriptive-analytical approach based on daily rainfall data from 18 hydrometeorological stations in the Kabul Basin over the statistical period of 2008 to 2022. Heavy and flooding rainfall events were identified using the environmental-circulation method. Cluster analysis was conducted using Ward’s hierarchical clustering technique, and GrADS software was employed to extract and interpret synoptic maps.
Results:The analysis revealed three main synoptic circulation patterns responsible for heavy rainfalls in the basin. Three representative days were selected for detailed analysis: March 23, 2009 (31 mm rainfall at Qala-e-Malak), March 17, 2014 (59 mm at Bagh-e-Umumi), and February 5, 2017 (60 mm at Qala-e-Malak). These events were associated with Mediterranean troughs, cold Siberian air intrusions, and Indian anticyclone influence, which collectively intensified rainfall. The findings suggest that these systems can be monitored in advance for early warning.
Conclusions:Heavy and flooding rainfalls in the Kabul Basin are strongly influenced by specific synoptic systems and atmospheric interactions. Recognizing these patterns enables early detection of risk and can improve the efficiency of disaster preparedness, water resource management, and regional warning systems. This study provides valuable insight for reducing vulnerabilities and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events in the region.
Behzad Rayegani, Susan Barati, Mona Izadian,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
Climate change stands out as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the modern era, exerting profound impacts on aquatic ecosystems—particularly wetlands. This study investigates the influence of climate change on three wetlands in Chaldoran County, West Azerbaijan Province—Pir-Ahmadkandi, Naver, and Zavieh-ye Sofla—spanning the period from 1984 to 2023. To achieve this, climate data were obtained from the TerraClimate database and CMIP6 model outputs under four emission scenarios. Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, along with JRC/GSW data, were processed to evaluate changes in wetland surface areas. Annual wetland extents were extracted and compared against climatic parameters (temperature, precipitation, actual evapotranspiration, and snow water equivalent) using time-series analysis, Pearson correlation, and multivariate regression. Additionally, the Delta Method was employed for downscaled climate data to project possible trends over the next 20 years.
The results indicate that rising temperatures and evapotranspiration constitute the primary drivers of wetland shrinkage. Pir-Ahmadkandi and Naver have lost over 27% and around 20% of their surface area, respectively, whereas Zavieh-ye Sofla exhibits an irregular, seasonal reduction due to human interventions and agricultural runoff. Projections suggest that wetland surfaces—especially in Pir-Ahmadkandi and Naver—will continue to decline, potentially exacerbating drought conditions, diminishing biodiversity, and reducing water quality. These findings underscore the necessity of implementing sustainable water resource policies, controlling evaporation, and incorporating human impact assessments into conservation measures. Moreover, harnessing advanced hydrological modeling techniques and integrating remote sensing data with machine learning approaches may offer more effective strategies for safeguarding these vital wetland ecosystems.
Dr Ataollah Ebrahimi, Dr Masoumeh Aghababaei, Dr | Ali Asghar Naghipour, Dr Esmaeil Asadi,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
Objective: During a landscape, it is not facile to discriminate land parts that have dissimilar amounts and types of vegetation. Plant Ecological Units (PEUs) are known as management units and are a reflection of the management actions and natural disturbances in the region. This research aims to fuse different resolutions of satellite images to increase the PEUs classification accuracy.
Methods: For this purpose, the Marjan-Borujen watershed in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province was selected. After field monitoring and surveys, four dominant PEUs groups were identified in the study area. In this study, bands from the Landsat_8 satellite images with 30 m spatial resolution (bands 7_2) and a 15 m panchromatic band (band 8) were used, as well as the Sentinel_2 satellite images including panchromatic bands (8, 4, 2, 3) with 10 m spatial resolution. First step, using the Landsat panchromatic band, the 30-m bands were upgraded to 15 m through the pen-sharpening process; so the 15 m data set was prepared from the Landsat_8 satellite. Then, to increase the spatial resolution of the 15-meter data set to 10 m, the Sentinel_2 panchromatic bands were used. In this way, the Sentinel_2 panchromatic bands were geometrically matched with the Landsat_8 15 m data set, and the Co-Registration process was performed with the minimum RMSE(0.05). Finally, two data sets (2 to 8 bands) of the Landsat_8 satellite images with 15 m and 10 m spatial resolution, the PEUs classification maps were prepared using the RF classification algorithm, and the maps' accuracy was displayed as an error matrix.
Results: The results show that increasing the spatial resolution significantly enhances the accuracy of PEUs classification maps. The 15 m set shows an overall classification map accuracy of 66%, while increasing the spatial resolution to 10 m enhances the overall accuracy to 82%. As well as, the error matrix results show that the classification map procured from the 10 m set, all four PEUs groups have improved the producer accuracy, user accuracy, and kappa agreement index. So, in this map, PEU 2 and PEU 3 have the highest kappa agreement coefficient (83 percent).
Conclusions: This study shows that using the Gram-Schmidt fusion algorithm and consequently increasing the spatial resolution of Landsat 8 images from 30 m to 10 m reduces mixed pixels and increases pure pixels, which in turn improves the quality of PEU classification maps.
Dr Sayyad Asghari Saraskanroud, Dr Fatemeh Samadi Shalveh Alia, Dr Zeinab Hazbavi,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
Objective: Land use/land cover (LULC) changes, as one of the main anthropogenic drivers, significantly influence runoff patterns and intensify flood hazards. This study aims to assess the impact of land use changes on flood hazard zonation over the period 2015 to 2024 in the Samian watershed, located in Ardabil Province, Iran.
Methodology: Satellite imagery from Landsat 7, Landsat 8, and Sentinel-2 was utilized to extract land use maps for the years 2015 and 2024 using the Google Earth Engine platform. LULC classification was performed using the Classification and Regression Trees (CART) algorithm. Subsequently, the Modified Flash Flood Potential Index (MFFPI) model was applied by integrating key environmental layers, including slope, flow accumulation, land use, geology, curvature, and soil texture, within the ArcMap environment to generate flood hazard zonation maps.
Findings: The results indicated substantial LULC changes between 2015 and 2024, including an 18.47% increase in irrigated agricultural lands, a 9.38% increase in residential areas, and a 25.85% rise in sparse rangelands. In contrast, dry farming lands decreased by 25.21%, dense rangelands by 9.14%, and snow-covered areas by 98.61%. These changes have led to a notable expansion of high-risk flood zones. The LULC classification achieved a high overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient exceeding 0.98, indicating reliable results.
Conclusion: The expansion of impervious surfaces and reduction in natural vegetation cover have increased surface runoff and, consequently, the extent of high-risk flood-prone areas. The MFFPI model, by incorporating both environmental and anthropogenic factors, proved to be an effective tool for flood hazard prediction and management.
Dr Vahid Safarian,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2025)
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to analyze greenhouse gas variations across Iran and to identify the gases that exert the greatest influence on their overall dynamics. The findings enhance understanding of atmospheric pollution patterns and support the development of effective mitigation strategies. These results provide a scientific basis for climate-change mitigation planning in Iran. The study relies on satellite-based remote sensing datasets.
Methods: This study analyzes the temporal and spatial variations of major greenhouse gases including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, water vapor, and methane across Iran from 2019 to 2024. Sentinel-5P satellite data were extracted via the Google Earth Engine platform, and after filtering and removing low-quality observations, the data were standardized using the Z-Score method to enhance comparability and correlation analysis. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to reduce data dimensionality and identify dominant variation patterns. Temporal and spatial trends were then quantified using complementary statistical techniques.
Results:
Methane exhibited a consistent increasing trend from late 2021 through 2024 and accounted for the largest share of total variance (R² = 0.87), likely reflecting intensified anthropogenic activities and regional climatic shifts. CO, NO₂, and O₃ were mainly affected by seasonal fluctuations and nonlinear factors, and no clear long-term increasing or decreasing trends were observed. Water vapor showed a direct relationship with temperature variations, water sources, and atmospheric patterns, with its lowest concentrations recorded during the cold months and increases observed in the warm months. PCA analysis indicated that the first two principal components explained more than 70% of the total data variance, with CH₄, O₃, and NO₂ contributing the most to the overall variations.
Conclusions: The study results indicated that greenhouse gas variations in Iran are simultaneously influenced by natural factors and human activities. The combination of satellite data, statistical analysis, and PCA enabled a precise assessment of the temporal and spatial trends of greenhouse gases, providing valuable information for planning pollutant reduction and developing strategies to combat climate change.
Stu Nafiseh Rahimi, Dr Abdo Faraj,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (12-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 4 (12-2025)
Abstract
Objective: in recent decades, population growth, urbanization development, and change in land use have led flooding as one of the most destructive natural disasters in the world. Therefore, our goal is to identify flood areas and the synoptic patterns that lead to it, which are among the most important issues in preventing and reducing the effects of flooding and dealing with it.
Methods: In this study, in order to prepare a map of flooded areas, the extent of the floodwater that occurred in June (2024) in Ardabil province, were processed SAR radar images before and after the flood. Then, to identify synoptic patterns, daily maps of geopotential height at 500 hectopascals, sea level pressure at 1000 hectopascals, omega pressure at 500 hectopascals, and relative humidity at 700 hectopascals with a spatial resolution of 2.5 degrees in 2.5 degrees latitude were received and analyzed from the National Center for Environmental Prediction and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) of the United States.
Results: The flood area study indicated that in the studied province, Bilehsavar city with an area of 593 hectares, Parsabad city with 505 hectares, Meshkin-shahr with 245 hectares, and Germi city with 192 hectares were flooded due to the waterlog. The analysis of the flood zones also showed that the largest volume of flood entering Ardabil Province during the studied period was related to the northern cities of the province, where the provision of all moisture conditions and instability at the full depth of the troposphere layer led to the occurrence of heavy flood-causing rainfall in these areas.
Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the use of radar data, due to its outstanding capabilities, is a useful tool in detecting and continuously monitoring of floods. Therefore, by detecting flood-prone areas and synoptic conditions that produce floods, executive managers can make the best decisions to deal with possible future floods.
Mohammad Hossein Nasserzadeh, Parviz Ziaian Firouzabadi, Zahra Hejazizadeh, Shirin Moradjani,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (12-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 4 (12-2025)
Abstract
This study investigates the spatio-temporal dynamics of evapotranspiration (ET) and its modulation by biophysical variables and land use/land cover (LULC) changes in the Karun River Basin, southwestern Iran, from 2000 to 2023. The basin, spanning 67,257 km² and characterized by diverse topography, experiences significant annual water loss (72% of 413 billion m³ national precipitation) due to ET, leading to salt and sediment accumulation. Data from MODIS products (MCD12Q1, MOD13A1, MCD43A3, MOD11A2, MOD16A3, CHIRPS) provided land cover, NDVI, albedo, LST, precipitation, and ET at 500-meter resolution, supplemented by Landsat imagery (30-meter resolution) for validation. Multiple regression and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) analyses revealed a 39.5% ET increase (31.48 to 43.92 mm/year), a 32.78% NDVI rise (0.18 to 0.239), and a 16.35% LST decrease (33.52°C to 28.05°C), correlated with a 6.90% agricultural decline (6,939,225 to 6,460,335 ha), a 6.94% rangeland increase (3,840,375 to 4,106,780 ha), and a 42.76% forest expansion (156,000 to 222,700 ha). GWR (AdjR² > 0.97, peak 0.9887 in 2010) identified spatial non-stationarity, with overprediction in mountainous northeast regions and underprediction in agricultural southwest plains, reflecting LULC influences. Landsat-derived false color composites and classifications (overall accuracy 85–90%, Kappa 0.85–0.90) validated a 2,477 km² forest loss to high-ET rangelands/agriculture, driving warm-season ET elevation. Results emphasize the need for integrated hydrological models incorporating irrigation data and high-resolution analyses to enhance sustainable water management in this water-stressed region.
Mrs. Shaida Sharifi, Dr Abdullah Nosrati, Hadi Nayyeri,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (12-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 4 (12-2025)
Abstract
| This study employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assess the vulnerability and resilience of the urban water distribution network in the Feyzabad and Baharan districts of Sanandaj against the parameter of Peak Ground Velocity (PGV). The main objective is to identify the key factors influencing network vulnerability and to propose strategies for enhancing the resilience of this critical infrastructure. PGV values were derived based on data from 40 faults longer than 10 km within a 70 km radius of the city, using empirical attenuation relationships. Geological, geomorphological, soil type, and pipe diameter and material data were collected from reliable local sources.In the AHP model, the main criteria including PGV, geology, soil, pipe material, and pipe diameter were integrated with weights of 0.460, 0.112, 0.243, and 0.182, respectively, and vulnerability maps of the network were generated. Results showed that PGV values across the city range between 35 and 39 cm/s. In Feyzabad, lower PGV values combined with thick steel pipes and Quaternary alluvial soils resulted in 81% of the network falling into the low-vulnerability class and only 2.1% into the high-vulnerability class. Conversely, in Baharan, higher PGV values (39 cm/s), combined with small-diameter asbestos pipes and shale bedrock, placed 34% of the network in the very high-vulnerability class. |
Rana Norouzi, Sayyd Morovat Eftekhari, Ali Ahmadabadi,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (12-2025)
Volume 12, Issue 4 (12-2025)
Abstract
Objective: Over the past two decades, land subsidence has emerged as a significant geomorphological hazard and one of the most critical environmental crises in Iran, causing irreversible damage to many plains each year. Among its primary current causes is the excessive and unregulated extraction of groundwater. The Eshtehard Plain, recognized as one of the industrial and agricultural hubs of Alborz province, is no exception. Due to severe groundwater depletion, it has been officially declared a critical zone by the Ministry of Energy. The objective of this study is to model the risk of land subsidence in this plain using the Random Forest algorithm and to analyze the contributing factors influencing its occurrence
Methods: In this study, twelve independent spatial layers were utilized, including: digital elevation model (DEM), distance to rivers, distance to qanats, distance to wells, distance to faults, groundwater depth, drainage density, soil type, lithology, land use, topographic wetness index (TWI), and solar radiation. The dependent layer consisted of subsidence zones. The Random Forest model was implemented in the R software environment. Two key importance measures—Mean Decrease Accuracy and Mean Decrease Gini—were employed to rank, assess the significance of, and assign weights to the contributing factors of land subsidence. Finally, model performance was evaluated using three complementary metrics: Accuracy, Kappa, and AUCResults: The results demonstrated that the Random Forest model achieved high accuracy in classifying land subsidence risk. Model evaluation showed strong performance with an overall accuracy of 0.963, a Kappa coefficient of 0.611, and an AUC value of 0.955, indicating that the model is highly effective for spatial risk zoning of land subsidence. The most influential variables in subsidence occurrence were identified as groundwater depth, distance to wells, geology, and land use. Furthermore, more than 65% of the study area was categorized as high-risk and very high-risk, reflecting the critical condition of the Eshtehard Plain. Notably, the share of urban land use has shown a steady increase from 2011 to 2023, with a significant spike in 2023, where increased population concentration has placed additional pressure on groundwater resources, leading to an intensification of subsidence in affected areas
Conclusions: The Random Forest algorithm successfully modeled the spatial distribution of land subsidence risk with high accuracy. This method can serve as an effective tool for informed decision-making in groundwater resource management, sustainable development planning, and hazard mitigation in similar regions.
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