Vulnerability assessment of Golestan National Park for sustainable development using DPSIR model

Protected areas are considered as an important tool for maintaining the integrity of the habitat and species diversity, and the construction of these areas does not mean leaving them alone, but continuous and efficient management practices to achieve the set goals. The effects of threats make protected areas vulnerable. Therefore, reviewing and evaluating threats in protected areas is necessary and essential to provide management solutions. Vulnerability is important for developing integrated management policies for decision makers in order to prioritize activities and improve vulnerability. Golestan National Park is one of the most valuable and unique areas under management and protection not only in Iran but also around the world and has countless natural values, lush and pristine forests and diverse species. It is plant and animal. This research is a descriptive-analytical study with the aim of assessing the vulnerability of Golestan National Park by combining the DPSIR model and the new vulnerability method in order to provide management solutions. In this method, first, using DPSIR model, driving force, pressure, status, effect and response, threats and values ​​of the region and the relationship between them were studied and evaluated. Finally, strategies in the form of possible responses to each component of the DPSIR model are presented. 5 The main driving forces such as population development, tourism development, road development, overgrazing, settlement development and lack of coherent management for the identified area and consequently the pressures, situation and effects of the area are identified and studied. Were located. The results of this study indicate that in Golestan National Park, the most effects of regional threats on ecological values, including the extinction of animals, plants, wildlife habitat and biodiversity loss, and in terms of vulnerability, illegal hunting of animals. In addition, fires cause the most damage to the area. Finally, management strategies to deal with threatening factors were presented.