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Land potential for ecotourism development and assessing landscape ecology in areas on protection of Iran

Author

Listed:
  • Parvaneh Sobhani

    (Shahid Beheshti University)

  • Hassan Esmaeilzadeh

    (Shahid Beheshti University)

  • Seyed Mohammad Moein Sadeghi

    (University of Florida
    Transilvania University of Brasov)

  • Isabelle D. Wolf

    (University of Wollongong
    University of New South Wales)

Abstract

In Protected Areas (PAs), zones of ecotourism development need to be carefully chosen to minimize environmental impacts and maximize socio-economic outcomes. The excessive growth of ecotourism in PAs and insufficient monitoring have caused a decrease in ecological connectivity (EC) and unsustainability in these areas. This research has evaluated environmental potential to determine suitable zones for ecotourism development in Lar National Park (NP) and Kavdeh Wildlife Refuge (WR) and also evaluated landscape ecology changes to investigate ecological function (EF) and status of EC in these areas. To achieve this purpose, environmental potential and landscape ecology changes have been examined, using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model and fuzzy set theoretic approach, as well as mathematical modeling. Our mixed-method approach allowed us to identify and prepare map zones with moderate to high potential for intensive and extensive recreational development in Kavdeh. Conversely, because of the high ecological sensitivity and restrictions for human activity, Lar was not deemed suitable for ecotourism development. In addition, the landscape ecology assessment raised concerns about the increasing human activities and ecotourism development in the study areas, impacting ecological function and connectivity. Accordingly, the results demonstrated that in Lar and Kavdeh Ecological Connectivity Index (ECI) has the highest decreasing trend. The findings of this study can be used as a blueprint for modeling land potential for sustainable ecotourism development in PAs with similar geographical conditions. These findings can also help policymakers and planners to prevent habitat fragmentation and protect landscape ecology.

Suggested Citation

  • Parvaneh Sobhani & Hassan Esmaeilzadeh & Seyed Mohammad Moein Sadeghi & Isabelle D. Wolf, 2024. "Land potential for ecotourism development and assessing landscape ecology in areas on protection of Iran," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(3), pages 8103-8137, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s10668-023-02978-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-02978-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ronizi, Saeed Reza Akbarian & Mokarram, Marzieh & Negahban, Saeed, 2020. "Utilizing multi-criteria decision to determine the best location for the ecotourism in the east and central of Fars province, Iran," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    2. Dhami, Ishwar & Deng, Jinyang & Burns, Robert C. & Pierskalla, Chad, 2014. "Identifying and mapping forest-based ecotourism areas in West Virginia – Incorporating visitors' preferences," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 165-176.
    3. Parvaneh Sobhani & Hassan Esmaeilzadeh & Seyed Mohammad Moein Sadeghi & Marina Viorela Marcu, 2022. "Estimation of Ecotourism Carrying Capacity for Sustainable Development of Protected Areas in Iran," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Jie Ying Yee & Ho Huu Loc & Yi Le Poh & Tan Vo-Thanh & Edward Park, 2021. "Socio-geographical evaluation of ecosystem services in an ecotourism destination: PGIS application in Tram Chim National Park, Vietnam," Post-Print hal-03403865, HAL.
    5. Darvishi, Asef & Yousefi, Maryam & Marull, Joan, 2020. "Modelling landscape ecological assessments of land use and cover change scenarios. Application to the Bojnourd Metropolitan Area (NE Iran)," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    6. Shairy Chaudhary & Atul Kumar & Malay Pramanik & Mahabir Singh Negi, 2022. "Land evaluation and sustainable development of ecotourism in the Garhwal Himalayan region using geospatial technology and analytical hierarchy process," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 2225-2266, February.
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