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Arastoo Yari, Mehdi Feyzolahpour, Neda Kanani,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract

Earth surface temperature provides important information on the role of land use and land cover on energy balance processes. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to evaluate the LST patterns due to changes in land use (LULC). The studied area is located in Talesh region with an area of 300.6 square kilometers. For this purpose, Landsat images were downloaded in dry and wet seasons from 1365 to 1401. Four user classes were identified by maximum likelihood classification (MLC) and support vector machine (SVM) in 36-year intervals. The Kappa coefficient values for the SVM model were equal to 0.7802 and for the MLC model it was equal to 0.5328. NDVI, NDSI, and NDWI spectral indices were calculated for vegetation, barren soil, and water and were compared with LST in the above years. Changes in land use during the years 1365 to 1401 were an important factor in changes in the temperature of the earth's surface, which averaged from 13.7 degrees Celsius to 39.5 degrees Celsius in the wet season and -0.37 to 41.07 degrees Celsius in the dry season has been variable. Water areas and vegetation have the lowest and barren soil have the highest LST values. The highest negative correlation of -0.74 belongs to the NDVI index in 1365 and the highest positive correlation of 0.79 belongs to the NDSI index in 1365. The area of the forest area has decreased by 20.3% and agricultural land has increased by 217% in 36 years. Barren lands have changed the most and decreased from 2.68 square kilometers to 12 square kilometers. In general, LST has increased due to the increase of human activities such as the expansion of agricultural land and deforestation in the studied period.
 

Dr Sara Kiani, Dr Morad Kavyani, Dr Amirali Tavasoli,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract

The Namak Lake is situated between three provinces: Isfahan, Qom, and Semnan. However, the functioning of Namak Lake and its susceptibility to environmental, ecological, economic, and social influences not only affect the immediate surroundings but also impact other provinces. Naturally, a crisis in this lake can have negative effects on human communities and the residents of the surrounding areas in terms of environmental, economic, and social aspects. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify the temporal-spatial changes in the salinity of Namak Lake and, subsequently, to investigate and analyze the effects of these changes on the environmental security of the surrounding regions. To achieve this goal, salt zones were identified using soil salinity indices, including the Normalized Difference Salinity Index (NDSI), Salinity Index 1 (SI1), Salinity Index 2 (SI2), and Brightness Index (BI), over a 30-year period (1992-2021) with five-year intervals. Then, using the maximum likelihood method, the salt zones were classified into four land cover types, including water zone, moist zone, salt zone, and other uses. The results of this study indicate that due to the reduction in water inflow into the lake as a result of dam construction in the upstream basin and the effects of climate change, the water zone, or seasonal lake, of Namak Lake has disappeared and the salt zone has expanded in this area. The most significant changes in the lake are related to the northwestern part of the lake, where major rivers such as Jajrood, Shur, Qarechai, and Qamaroud flow into this part of the lake, contributing to its drainage. Therefore, dam construction on these rivers has led to a downward trend in water flow into the lake. Furthermore, the results suggest that due to the absence of settlements and human communities near Namak Lake and the natural and climatic conditions of the region, it is not expected that environmental incidents that could have security and political implications will occur in the short term.
Fahimeh Pourfarrashzadeh, Fariba Beyghipour Motlagh, Mortaza Gharachorlu,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (5-2024)
Abstract

This study aimed to systematically explain the potential of the landslide occurrence to provide a prediction model of the possibility of this phenomenon in the Yamchi catchment in Ardebil province. In this regard, both approaches of discrete and continuous variables were used by means of overlay and logistic regression, respectively. Independent variables included elevation, slope, aspect, lithology, annual rainfall, roughness, general curvature, topographic wetness index, vegetation index, distance to fault, distance to stream and distance to road. The results, firstly, revealed the areas with high landslide potential by the matching layers of independent variables with the landslide layer in the geographical information system (GIS). These areas were in the middle elevation, high slopes, northern slope, high roughness, erodible formations, high rainfall, medium vegetation, surroundings of faults and rivers. Secondly, the results of the logistics regression model by providing a prediction equation of probability of landslide occurrence showed that the resulting model with pseudo r2 and ROC 0.22 and 0.86, respectively, had good power and efficiency to predict landslide through the catchment. In addition, the resulting beta coefficients for independent variables indicated that the importance of the variables was as follows: vegetation index distance to road, rain, lithology, distance to fault, elevation, topographic wetness index, roughness index, aspect, slope, and distance to river. In the end, the need to pay serious attention to the supporting and protection of vegetation cover of the mid -range and upstream of the catchment was determined because of unstable geomorphic conditions of these areas.
 
Mrs Mozhgan Shahriyari, Dr Mostafa Karampoor, Dr Hoshang Ghaemi, Dr Dariush Yarahmadi, Dr Mohammad Moradi,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (5-2024)
Abstract

Flash floods are one of the most dangerous natural events and often cause loss of life and damage to infrastructure and the environment. This research investigated the occurrence of the most intense continuous monthly floods (October-March) from 1989 to 2021. Precipitation data from 115 synoptic stations were selected. Then, the total rainfall of 1 to 9 days was sorted according to intensity. Using Minitab statistical software and the Andersen-Darling index, heavy rains were extracted based on the 95th percentile. Then, based on the criteria of the highest and lowest number of rainy days, the highest and lowest accumulated rainfall, the wettest and driest months were determined. Considering the three criteria of intensity, continuity, and rainfall coverage, the strongest storms in the wettest months were selected. The data used for synoptic analysis include the average sea level pressure data, the height and vertical component of the wind at 500 hPa, the wind and humidity field specific to the pressure levels 925, 850, and 700 hPa, and the horizontal moisture flux values specific to the pressure level 925, 850 and 700 hPa. The probability of the occurrence of atmospheric rivers was identified by the moisture flux extracted from the specific, meridional, and meridional wind components. The results showed that the storms of October 27-31, 2015, November 5-7, 1994, December 12-16, 1991, January 11-15, 2004, February 3-9, 1993, and March 13-15, 1996 were the strongest in the wettest months. During the storms of October, November, February, and March, moisture has been transported from the southwest of the Red Sea by atmospheric rivers to the western, southwestern, southern, and southeastern regions of Iran.
 
Mousa Kamanroudi Kojouri, Habibolah Fashi, Sgahla Barati Sadeh,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (8-2024)
Abstract

Developing roads and constructing new highway are urban policices contributing to solve transportation problems in cities. These projects often being passed through urban fabrics, so it is nessessery to buy and demolish buildings from their owners including individuals or governmental and public institutions to imply the projects. However, acquiring land is not an easy task and completing these projects may hit with long-term delays. This paper aimed to analyze the impacts of delaying in constructing Shoosh Highway in Tehran. The investigated impacts originate from land acquisition problems. The research data was obtained from many sources including documents and research reports, a survey, and interviews with Tehran Municipality managers. The One Sample T-Test in SPSS software was performed to analyze the data obtained form the survey. Findings indicate that the residents are often dissatisfied with the project because since the beginning of the project, social security decreased a lot and people are less likely to respect citizens' rights than before, recreational sites are often demolished, the value of residential buildings slowed down significantly, living costs incresed, and businesses were stagnant. In conclusion, if urban highways are not contributing to proper planning and site selection, they will disrupt the physical, social, and economic structures of urban neighborhoods and cause to many environmental problemes including air pollution. To avoid these adverse outcomes, it should be thought in advance about sufficient financial resources and possible practical methods to acquire land for projects. These consequences are reduced by studying and managing the risk of projects.
 
Negar Hamedi, Ali Esmaeily, Hassan Faramarzi, Saeid Shabani, Behrooz Mohseni,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (8-2024)
Abstract

Forest fire in many ecosystems is a natural phenomenon, but also a serious and dangerous threat with environmental, ecological, and physical effects. Therefore, this research investigated the risk areas of fire in Zagros forests identification to evaluate the changes in the time series of deals with a potential fire hazard. To achieve this goal fuzzy layers of analysis network process and order weighted average method were used regularly. For this purpose, fire Zagros forests using satellite images Landsat and MODIS Lordegan city in the period between 2000, 2007, and 2014 and the factors affecting fire are examined. The high-risk areas based on classification utility area and the number of zones were identified as fire-prone areas. In the analytical network process procedure, the largest weighs were assigned to the distance from residential areas and roads, GVMI index, and maximum daily air temperature factors which were 0.209, 0.198, 0.09, and 0.0716, respectively. Time series analysis map showing the extent of critical areas from 2000 to 2014 decreased by investigating the factors affecting fire occurrence in critical areas, distance for roads and residential areas, slope, aspect, GVMI index, and NDVI and maximum temperatures have the greatest impact were on fire. The low-risk scenario and a small amount of compensation with the ROC higher than 0.7 as the best model was the estimated risk of forest fires. The preparation of a map of areas susceptible to fire, as well as analyzing and analyzing the time series of factors affecting the fire in different years, is an effective step in helping forest managers to plan and implement preventive operations in high-risk areas.
 
Omid Ashkriz, Fatemeh Falahati, Amir Garakani,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract

The growth of settlements and the increase of human activities in the floodplains, especially the banks of rivers and flood-prone places, have increased the amount of capital caused by this risk. Therefore, it is very important to determine the extent of the watershed in order to increase risk reduction planning, preparedness and response and reopening of this risk. The present study uses the common pattern of the machine and the classification of Sentinel 2 images to produce land cover maps, in order to construct sandy areas and determine land issues affected by the flood of March 2018 in Aqqla city. Also, in order to check and increase the accuracy of the algorithms, three software indices of vegetation cover (NDVI), water areas (MNDWI) and built-up land (NDBI) were used using images. The different sets of setting of each algorithm were evaluated by cross-validation method in order to determine their effect on the accuracy of the results and prevent the optimistic acquisition of spatial correlation from the training and test samples. The results show that the combination of different indices in order to increase the overall accuracy of the algorithms and to produce land cover maps, the forest algorithm is used with an accuracy of 83.08% due to the use of the collection method of higher accuracy and generalizability than compared to. Other algorithms of support vector machine and neural network with accuracy of 79.11% and 75.44% of attention respectively. After determining the most accurate algorithm, the map of flood zones was produced using the forest algorithm in two classes of irrigated and non-irrigated lands, and the overall accuracy of the algorithm in the most optimal models and by combining vegetation indices (MNDWI) was 93.40%. Then, with overlapping maps of land cover and flood plains, the surface of built-up land, agricultural land and green space covered by flood was 4.2008 and 41.0772 square kilometers, respectively.
 
Mr Mehran Mahmoodi, Dr Tajeddin Karami, Dr Vahid Amini Parsa, Dr Ahmad Zanganeh, Dr Seyed Jalil Alavi,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract

This research employs a systematic review approach to comprehensively evaluate environmental inequalities in Middle East cities. The Middle East, due to rapid urbanization and unsustainable development, faces complex environmental challenges that disproportionately affect low-income and marginalized populations. In this study, 60 scientific articles published between 2013 and 2023 from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were examined. Statistical analyses revealed that environmental inequalities in this region have been exacerbated by weaknesses in coordinated policymaking and cultural-geographical differences. Temporal patterns indicated an increasing trend in these inequalities over the past decade, while thematic analyses uncovered detrimental impacts on public health, air quality, and access to water resources.Geographical assessments demonstrated that specific areas are more vulnerable to environmental hazards due to climatic and economic conditions. By identifying gaps in existing scientific literature and current policies, this research proposes strategies to enhance environmental justice and improve conditions in Middle Eastern cities. The results of this study can serve as a foundation for developing effective policy strategies and future research in the field of environmental justice in the region. By presenting a comprehensive analytical framework, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of environmental inequalities in the Middle East and paves the way for targeted interventions
Arastoo Yari Hesar, Vakil Heidarysarban, Bahram Imani, Samaneh Sarani,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (2-2025)
Abstract

he spread of Covid-19 in the rural areas of the country has caused more dangers due to the common rural cultures, and the ignorance and lack of efficient management of this crisis in the villages has caused irreparable consequences for these areas. In such cases, the existence of social capital can be very vital in creating national consensus and successful policies to pass this critical stage. Leading research is applied in terms of purpose and based on descriptive-analytical nature. To determine the sample size of villagers, using Cochran's formula, from the total of 6903 households in sample villages, 362 households were calculated as sample households to complete the questionnaire. In order to investigate the effects of social capital on economic and social indicators that are effective in reducing the vulnerability of the outbreak of Covid-19 in the border villages of Sistan, a wide range of indicators was determined, and from the one-sample T-test and the analysis of variance of the regression model to measure the The evaluation of the effects of social capital on socio-economic indicators effective in reducing the vulnerability of the outbreak of Covid-19 in the border villages of Sistan was used. The results of the research showed that the higher the level of people's participation and their trust towards each other, the higher the level of responsibility and knowledge of people, it has a positive role and effect on social and economic indicators in order to reduce the vulnerability of the spread of the covid disease. has had 19
 
Dr Sayyad Asghari Sarasekanrood, Zahra Sharifi, Zahra Shahbazi,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (2-2025)
Abstract

Landslides, as one of the most dangerous natural hazards in mountainous regions, continuously threaten human infrastructure, especially roads and transportation routes. Their occurrence often results in significant loss of life and property, making it crucial to study and assess landslide hazards for effective zoning. The purpose of this research is to zone the landslide hazard along the Masal to Gilvan road using a neural network algorithm. The neural network algorithm is recognized as one of the most effective machine learning models, capable of solving complex problems in prediction and classification despite its simplicity. For this zoning analysis, nine influencing factors were considered: (1) geology, (2) vegetation cover, (3) slope, (4) land use, (5) distance from the road, (6) slope aspect, (7) elevation, (8) distance from fault lines, and (9) distance from rivers. The data were prepared, preprocessed, and then entered into MATLAB 2018. A neural network model was designed and implemented with 9 input neurons, 8 hidden neurons, and 1 output neuron. The results indicated that the four most influential factors, ranked by weight, were: slope (0.24), vegetation cover (0.17), distance from fault lines (0.14), and geology (0.11). Final validation using the ROC curve showed that the AUC values were 0.854 for the training phase and 0.971 for the testing phase, both of which reflect highly favorable results. The error rate was found to be very low.
 
Dr Maryam Ghasemi, Mr Hadi Ebrahimi Darbandi, Mrs Mitra Yarahmadi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (8-2025)
Abstract

Drought is one of the most important challenges faced by pastoralists around the world. This phenomenon can have significant negative effects on livestock health, production, and livelihoods. However, pastoralists can adapt to drought and reduce its negative effects by adopting various strategies. Semi-nomadic people in Darbandi, Kalat-Naderi County, have been facing drought since 2007 due to their livestock farming. Since livestock farming has profound impacts on the lifestyle and livelihoods of these communities, the present study examines their experience in facing drought and identifies their management strategies in these conditions. The research method is qualitative and the research tool is in-depth interviews with 20 semi-nomadic people in Darbandi, Kalat-Naderi. Sampling was purposeful and carried out until theoretical saturation was reached to ensure that a wide range of perspectives and experiences were collected. The data from the interviews were analyzed using a qualitative grounded theory approach to extract key patterns and concepts. According to the findings, the semi-nomadic Darbandi people of Kalat County have adopted various strategies in the face of drought, which are classified into four categories: rangeland and grazing management strategies, livestock nutrition management, water consumption management, and livelihood diversification. These results can be used as a basis for formulating better policies in the field of crisis management and rural development. Also, these results can be used for more effective planning to reduce the vulnerability of nomads to drought.
Mehranjani Mohammad Soleimani, Tahereh Nemati, Tajeddin Karami, Ahmad Zanganeh, Taher Parizadi,
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)
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.
 
Mis Vajihe Gholizade, Dr Amir Saffari, Dr Ali Ahmadabadi, Dr Amir Karam,
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 Saeedmohammad Sabouri, Dr Sayed Amirhossien Garakani,
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)
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 Nabi Mirzaei, Dr Bouhlul Alijani, Dr Mohamad Darand,
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.
Behzad Rayegani, Susan Barati, Mona Izadian,
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 Sayyad Asghari Saraskanroud, Dr Fatemeh Samadi Shalveh Alia, Dr Zeinab Hazbavi,
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.
 
Stu Nafiseh Rahimi, Dr Abdo Faraj,
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.
 

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