Assessment of Spatial Heterogeneity of Hydro-sedimentological Disturbance Index in the Samian sub-watersheds

Ecological indicators have become important tools for evaluating and monitoring natural resources. Understanding the relationship between biological activities and ecological interactions is essential to their structure. On the other hand, human activities have significant effects on landscape evolution through changes in sediment production, transport, and storage. Therefore, this issue should be considered in the comprehensive management of different watersheds and ecosystems. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to evaluate the spatial heterogeneity of the hydro-sedimentologic disturbance index (HSDI) in the watershed located in the central part of Ardabil province. For this purpose, sediment transport (ST), hydrological stress (HS), recharge potential of groundwater (Rec), and soil erosion potential (SEP) were first calculated for 27 different sub-watersheds. Then, these factors were weighted using the Shannon entropy method. The hydro-sedimentologic disturbance index (HSDI) was calculated and zoned using the weighted average. The results showed that the mean, maximum and minimum values of the HSDI index in the Samian watershed were 10.17, 45.67, and 0.20, respectively. In addition, 87.67, 5.33, 5.32, and 1.68% of the watershed area were classified into very low, low, medium, and high levels of disturbances, respectively. Sub-watershed 19 located in the northern part, and sub-watersheds 20 and 21 located in the central part of the Samian watershed have the most disturbances, so they are prioritized for management actions. The present research framework can be used as a potential tool to support decisions that should focus on improving natural resource management.