Quantitative Modeling of Spatiotemporal Changes in Soil Erosion and Retention Potential and Sediment Production (Case Study: Lahijan-Chabaksar and Astana-Kochsefhan Watersheds)

The temporal and spatial distribution pattern of providing ecosystem services is one of the basic characteristics of ecosystems. One of the important ecosystem services in many ecosystems, including watersheds in northern Iran, is soil maintenance. This valuable service has not been investigated in many areas, including the watersheds of developing countries. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the spatial-temporal changes of soil erosion and maintenance in the years 2000 and 2020. Also, in this research, two watersheds of Lahijan-Chabaksar and Astana-Kuchsefhan, in Gilan province, have been selected as the study area. From an ecological point of view, these watersheds are a symbol of the human and natural interwoven ecosystem, which has a high capacity in providing all kinds of ecosystem services and has undergone changes in recent years. The results show that the total amount of soil erosion potential in the studied area in the studied years is equal to 73755909 and 119218604 tons, respectively, and the amount of soil maintenance ecosystem service in these years in the entire watershed is 1222434092 and 1218191672, respectively. It is a body. Also, based on the results obtained, a small part of the region has the most soil and sediment losses. Therefore, the results emphasize the urgent need for targeted soil and water conservation measures to ensure the sustainability of the basin's resources.