Assessing the ecological capability of the Varamin Region for the development of agricultural activities using Iran's ecological model

Varamin is a migratory region due to its close proximity to Tehran's metropolis. This trend has led to increase population and land use change. Conversely, having favorable physiographic conditions and favorable water and soil potential, this region has a high capacity for agricultural development. In this study, the ecological capability were evaluated using Iran's agricultural and rangeland applications model. First, a specific model based on Iran's agricultural and rangeland applications model, for regional studies has been prepared. Then, various maps of elevation, gradient, geographic directions, soil, vegetation type and vegetation density of the studied area prepared in ArcGIS 10.4 software and then the maps integrated into final plan of the environmental units with 863 units. In the last step, with comparison of applications requirement with properties of units optimal usage of each unit was determined. The results showed that from the total area of the region, 33.12% were suitable for agriculture with grade of 3; 0.45 percent with grade of 5; 0.19 percent for range management with grade of 1; 0.54 percent with grade of 2; 9.42 percent with grade of 3 and 54.93 percent were suitable for protection (1.35% of the area were allocated to settlements).