Determining the extent of land degradation in the Dena Protected Area between 2009 and 2017

The goal of this research is to assess landscape degradation in the Dena Protected Area in the Province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Iran, between 2009 and 2017 by using landscape indicators and study the role of human activities according to the natural characteristics of the region. To conduct the research, the rural districts of the region were used as the study units. To quantify the land use measures, the overlap of the land use-cover map and the network of roads in the area were used. According to the landscape degradation model, ecological vulnerability and the severity of activities as well as the degradation degree were calculated for the targeted landscape. The results of this research indicated that Pataveh with a value of 26 had the highest level of landscape degradation, and Padena Vosta and SadatMahmodi with values of 24 and 23, respectively, were on the next orders.  In addition, Sarrod shomali with a 3.5 value had the least level of degradation. The results also further classifed the area into varied degrees of degredation as follows: 43.4% very severe, 22.8% severe, 16.6% mean, and 17.2% low degradation. Areas with severe and very severe degradation should be considered for conservation. Preventing the development of agricultural lands followed by converting into gardens in these areas, especially those under the forest floor and the, is one of the most important initial protection measures in these regions.