A system Approach toward comprehensive analysis of the Yazd-Ardakan plain environment vulnerability; Challenges and solutions

Yazd-Ardakan plain consists of political, economic, social and ecological systems. It has valuable agricultural products, cultural background, various industries of steel, tile, glass, textile, lime kiln, asphalt, brick and sand production industries and metal and non-metal mines. On the other hands the existence of vast intact deserts and natural areas and habitats bring this plane among very important places in Iran. Therefore, it’s is essential to comprehensively study the factors affecting different ecosystems services in this plain. The DPSIR framework with a systems approach is a useful tool to formulating executive and managerial strategies. DPSIR could finally identify practical solutions for sustainable development by determines the response to the driving forces and structuring the information, determining the important connections and comprehensive understanding of the problems. In the present study, the DPSIR system approach was used to evaluate the causal relationships of the environmental challenges of the Yazd-Ardakan plain in different sectors. This framework also used to evaluate the vulnerability and to suggest the planning strategies. From this, a chain of causal connections of driving force and the consecutive pressures on the environment was identified. By examining the effect of pressures, changes in environmental conditions, consequences and effects in the system were analyzed. Finally, according to the causal relationships, short- and long-term appropriate strategies to sustainable use of ecological, hydrological, economic and social services of the plain were suggested to the policymaker.