Determining the economic value of water conservation function by plant coverage of Bamou national park

Bamou national park in Iran has many environmental functions such as ecosystem regulation functions. The ecosystem function of water regulation by forest and rangeland ecosystems includes seasonal water flow regulation, water supply for various uses, treatment and storage of water. In this study, effects of dominant vegetation in the Bamou National Park (including Astragalus gossypinus, Astragalus susianus, Ebenus stellate, Amygdalus scoparia, Amygdalus lycioides, Scariola orientalis and Scariola orientalis) on the runoff control were estimated in four soil erosion types using Justin method. According to the results, effects of vegetation on the runoff height reduction were estimated to be 1.28, 0.71, 0.71 and 1.19 centimeter in four erosion types of E1 to E4, respectively. In addition, the economic value of water conserved in the underground aquifers in the current area of park was estimated to be 68.105 billion rials and 1.792 million rials per hectare in 2012.