Developing of management strategies for conservation of Miankalehwetland by using SWOT analysis

Increasing the impacts of human activities has resulted in great pressure even on quite natural areas. Miankaleh wetland as one of the most important wildlife refuges and aqua ecosystems of Iran has witnessed significant impacts on its structure and functions during last two decades. In this regard, it is crucially important to adopt appropriate policies by the aim of sustainable resource management and wetland protection. In this survey, Miankalaeh wetland is investigated from weaknesses and strengths in addition to opportunities and threats points of view. These different aspects of Miankaleh wetland were identified and explored in both present and future conditions and efficient strategically management measures are proposed. In this concern, weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats factors of wetland are grouped, weighted and analyzed through SWOT matrix leading to appropriate strategical measures. Finally, using QSPM matrix strategies were scored. According to the results, in order to meet the need of sustainable resource allocation for tourism, conservation, agriculture and development activities, the strategy of zoning has gained the highest attraction score. By way of contrast, development of integrated pestmanagement activities and controlled fertilizing plans has attracted the lowest score. With regard to importance of sustainable management, wetland conservation, main weaknesses and threats of Miankaleh wetland as well as derived results from strategic analysis, zoning as an optimized resource allocation tool for conservation, tourism, agricultural and development activities is suggested.