The Selection of the Most suitable of Nebka Species type for Stabilization of Quicksand Using AHP Model (Case Study: Najjar Abad Erg, Eastern North of Toroud)

IntroductionThe protection of environment and natural resources has high importance in achieving sustainable development. Nowadays, environmental crisis and loss of natural resources are the principle causes for the creation of environmental management systems. The optimal management of natural resources requires the assessment and classification of ecological and environmental potentials. By this method, we can recognize the abilities and restrictions of resources, and predict their future trends. Thus, according to the present environmental conditions, a suitable method with high accuracy is required in order to evaluate and manage natural resources and environment for achieving sustainable development. Thirty million hectares of Iran’s areas are recently affected by wind erosion processes due to special environmental conditions such as rainfalls being less than 150 mm, lack of vegetation and fast and strong winds. These factors have caused influx of quicksand into infrastructures, settlements, communication ways and industrial and agricultural installations. This problem is considered as one of the most important environmental issues in some parts of Iran, especially in the Northeastern part of Toroud. In this context, the recognition and control of environmental limiting factors is very important.Nebkas are of condensation forms of wind erosion resulting from sequestration of wind sediments by plants. These features generally appear in regions with average sand amount, and where ground water tables or surface moisture are enough for plant life. The form of Nebka is a function of size, density and growth rate of plant, time, equilibrium form, size and grains sorting, climate and sediment supply source. Nebka, in local scale, shows the efficiency of sand stabilization. Thus, their development can prevent the influx of flowing sand into residential areas and infrastructures. As a result, identification of the most adaptable Nebka species according to its morphology and type of natural conditions will be very important in stabilization plans of quicksand through the development of Nebka landscapes. The aims of this study include the comparative evaluation of Nebkas of Najjar Abad Erg and the identification of the most appropriate type of them, using their morphometric parameters analysis by the Analytic Hierarchical Process model. The results of this research will be fruitful in systemic management approach of desert regions, and also can be procreator for quicksand stabilization projects.Materials and MethodsThe study area, Najjar Abad Erg, with an area of 2864.886 hectares is situated in the north of great central plateau of Iran. The area is located between the latitudes of 350, 25’ to 350, 30’ N and the longitudes of 540, 59’ to 550, 10’ E.