Journal of Environmental Science Studies

Journal of Environmental Science Studies

Identifying and Determining Key Areas for Multiple Ecosystem Services Supply in Central Part of Isfahan Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resource and Environment, Malayer University
2 Faculty of Natural Resource and Environment, Malayer University
3 Department of Environment, Faculty of Fishery and Environment, Gorgan University of Agricutural Science
4 Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resource, Isfahan University of Technology
Abstract
Mapping key areas for ecosystem service supply is essential for the development of strategies that will ensure their future supply, provision and quantification. This study aims to investigate simultaneous multiple services and identifying key area for their supply, three ecosystem services, including, landscape aesthetic value, recreation and noise reduction were mapped using GIS in central part of Isfahan province. Then, total ecosystem services supply index was calculated using spatial overlay analysis and then hotspots of ecosystem services supply were identified using the spatial statistics approach. At the end, the relantionship between key area for ecosystem supply and vegetation cover was considered. The results showed that key areas for ecosystem services supply, are distributed in the central and eastern part of the study area and have a direct relationship with vegetation. These areas comprise 9.94% of the study area. Hotspots analysis to consider multiple ecosystem services, can increase, the effectiveness of management approach for conserving ecosystem services.
Keywords