نشریه علوم محیطی
سال یازدهم شماره 1 (پیاپی 39، بهار 1392)

During last decades the environmental and economic effects of climate changes have been very important for environmental scientists. According to temperature fluctuation studies, the minimum, maximum, and average temperatures are to be increased. So, the objective of this study is the investigation of variations of the number of freezing days during a 57 years data set and modeling the data by multivariable statistics methods. The applied models were ARIMA time-series, Regressions, and Correlation coefficient. The results showed that the variations of temperature were very disorder from 1951 to 1975 and they were not following a specific model. However, it showed the decreasing in freezing days during 1976-2007 which could be due to urban warming and crating island effect in this duration.

In this article, with regard to the little empirical research undertaken on enviropreneurship and leadership, drawing from a relational perspective, we explore the relationship between enviropreneurship and leadership. The research method was descriptive correlation, and data were collected from 51 environmental NGOs engaged in environmental issues using the random sampling method. A questionnaire was employed for variable measurements, and its content validity confirmed by a panel study. An alpha coefficient of 0.94 for enviropreneurship and 0.96 for leadership confirmed that the reliability is satisfied. Structural equation modeling (SEM), as a multivariate technique, and PLS-Graph software were used. According to path analysis results, four dimensions of leadership have significant roles to play in the enviropreneurship development of environmental NGOs. Empirical results showed that enviropreneurship competency in environmental NGOs is dependent upon transformational leadership (TL), and 33% of enviropreneurship in environmental NGO variance can be explained by TL. Research findings offer a new theoretical framework for future theory development.

In the last two decades, the increase in technology and global population has led to environmental change and degradation. Remote sensing is a new technology which provides accessibility and the ability to extract basic information for managing earth resources. In this study, land use changes in the Anzali watershed in Gilan province has been detected using GIS/RS. Initially, we produced land use maps using satellite images of Landsat (MSS 1975, TM 1989, ETM+ 2000) and IRS (LISS III) in six land use classes. Then, land use changes were compared over 32 years using the post classification method. Studies showed that the urban area has rapidly increased from 4878 ha in 1989 to 19089 ha in 2007.

Environmental impact assessment is a planning tool that estimates the environmental impact of projects on the environment. This research was conducted to assess the environmental impact of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Comprehensive Project in the west of Shiraz county (Bunrode Zangeneh sub watershed) from its users’ viewpoint. The results are intended to provide solutions to enhance the appropriateness of the project, in the aspect mentioned, using qualitative and quantitative research methods, survey techniques and semi-structured interviews. The sample group in this study included 268 members of the local Natural Resources and Watershed Management Cooperative. Stratified random sampling was used to select cooperative members. In the qualitative section of the research, according to the users’ viewpoint, internal and external factors affecting the project were recognized and classified using SWOT analysis. Twenty members of the cooperative were selected as the sample group for the qualitative part of the research. The findings of the quantitative part of the research revealed that the project did have an affect on environmental factors (soil quality, water and vegetation), based on the users’ viewpoint. Internal analysis of the project, based on the users’ viewpoint, revealed that the following factors were recognized as the important environmental strengths of the project: Reduction in surface flow, nutrient leaching and soil erosion, whereas, the important environmental weakness of the project included an inability to determine the precise boundaries between areas. External analysis of the project from the users’ viewpoint revealed that an important opportunity provided by the project included determination of the limits of national territories and the separation of private land, whereas, important environmental threats of the project included the shortage and poor distribution of rainfall. Several recommendations have been presented at the end of the paper for better project management in the future.

In this paper, more than half a century of successful implement-tation of a collaborative management industry, particularly in the field of managing natural resources by a sustainable human approach, is emphasized. The present study (design, operation and management mechanism), is based on the participation of the residents of Shadegan. Research methods include a descriptive survey and a statistical study of five rural residential areas placed in and around wildlife sanctuaries. Shadegan has a population of 6,000 people, and a sample of 361 individuals was determined according to Morgan and Takman.Regarding the outlook of residents and local farmers of different regions, concerning economic, social, and cultural issues, and the environmental sustainability rate of participation incentives, the results of correlation analysis show that in regard to the current management of wetlands, the difference in the percentage level, relative to the obstacles and challenges facing participants in activities associated with wetlands, is five percent.

Industry and road traffic, the main causes of environmental pollution in Tehran city, have been growing in recent decades. This study was conducted to investigate the situation of soil heavy metals in Tehran, and Chitgar Forest Park and surrounding land were chosen as the study area. Soil was sampled at 116 sites using a squared grid sampling strategy with a distance of 250 meters. The total concentration of seven heavy metals: lead, nickel, cadmium, zinc, iron, manganese and copper, were measured and analyzed by geostatistical techniques in GIS and GS+ software. The results of variogram analysis and a study of generated maps revealed that spatial variations of metal cadmium, zinc, lead, nickel, manganese and copper in soils were affected by industrial activity. Among all metals, cadmium, with the highest value of Nugget to sill ratio (71%), narrow range of 800 meters and variation coefficient of 0.59, was more affected by industrial activity than other elements. By contrast, total iron concentration, with a wide range of 2638 meters and a very low variation coefficient (0.14), was less affected by anthropogenic activity, suggesting that its distribution is controlled by parent materials. With respect to the total amount of global indices, no heavy metal reached a toxic level, but the indices were clearly affected by industrial activity in the area. This indicates a warning about the risk of toxicity in the future and, therefore, this should be considered in urban and industrial planning and management.

In the current research, a case study method has been applied to evaluate the landscape quality of the Margoon protected area in order to develop sustainable tourism. In the first step, theoretical basics and approaches were scrutinized using library and internet resources. Then, above average, average and poor landscapes were identified and the quality of perspectives evaluated. After that, using GIS software, the ranges using visible and invisible perspectives were investigated. The results of the paper emphasized that the landscapes should be improved by creating new green patches using native trees and shrubs, developing widespread tourist activities in the range of the above average landscape by designing appropriate walking, hiking and climbing paths, removing concentrated tourist activities such as camping, and designing appropriate places for this activity in the range of the average landscape.

Today's industrial and technological development has led human beings further away from nature. However, man has always been influenced by nature, and human nature has naturalistic tendencies. Many studies indicate a direct correlation between the levels of enjoyment of natural scenery and people’s happiness. Various studies mention the benefits of natural landscapes as a therapy for daily stress, anxiety and depression. A student residence is often among the first environments a student experiences away from home. He/she will be required to spend a lot of time at this location and, therefore, its design and location are extrememly important for student wellbeing. A more attractive environment will increase comfort and, thus, learning productivity.The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the landscape and design of residential environments on student satisfaction. To this end, the female student residences of the Hakim Sabzevari Sabzevar University were used as a case study. The methods used in this study are from the library and in the field. Using stratified sampling and random distribution, 663 questionnaires with three residential types, including a linear scheme, a central courtyard scheme and a flat scheme, each of which has a different view of nature and green space, were completed. The hypothesis of this study is that the environmental design and suitable landscaping of student residences can have a great effect on the wellbeing and comfort of students who live there, and lead to an increase in their sense of security and their feeling of “belonging”. The results indicate that the majority of students prefer to see natural environments, untapped visions and perspectives, natural horizons, sunrises and sunsets, and green spaces around the residences. Therefore, it is suggested that natural landscape architecture should be an important principle in the design of student residential areas.

In order to evaluate the effect of different municipal solid waste composts (MSWC), either enriched or non-enriched, on some macronutrient concentrations in basil, in 2009, a field experiment was arranged as a split plot based randomized complete block design, with three replications. Main plots consisted of six levels of fertilizer (control, recommended chemical fertilizer or CF as 70, 60 and 50 kg ha-1 of urea, potassium sulphate and superphosphate triple, respectively, MSCW as 20 and 40 ton ha-1 alone or plus ½ CF), and sub plots were four application periods including one (2006), two (2006-2007), three (2006-2008) and four (2006-2009) continuous years of MSWC application. Results showed that there was a highly significant interaction between MSWC and application periods in terms of dry matter yield and N, P and K concentrations. Orthogonal comparisons indicated that all studied traits significantly increased in plant leaf (approximately 14 to 36%) with higher application periods compared to CF. Using 20 ton ha-1 of MSWC for three or four continuous years recorded the highest N and K concentrations. Generally, application of 20 ton ha-1 MSWC, either enriched or non-enriched, dramatically improved the studied traits in the plant leaf, except P concentration.

Wetland habitats are natural ecosystems, which play a significant role in the development of surrounding communities. Due to their importance, the Convention on Wetlands Protection was ratified on 2nd February, 1971, in the city of Ramsar, Guilan, Iran. Anzali wetlands are registered as freshwater wetlands, and, currently, more than a million people either work or live around the lagoon. To consider the role of local people in the conservation of wetlands, in this paper, we ask, “What is the level of awareness sustained by local people regarding the Anzali Wetlands”? The Model of Collaborative Management for Wetlands has been used to assess the community viewpoint in this regard.In terms of methodology, the current study uses a survey method to study 50 sample cases of local people living in the area of wetlands, as well as wetland stakeholders. Using statistical tests, the results showed that the local community was more aware of the collaborative management of wetlands than public administration employees.

The main purpose of this research is the study and analysis of the evolution of environmental education from its beginnings to the present time in Iran. The evolution of environmental education in Iran over the past 40 years has not been straightforward. Although Iran does not have a lengthy history of environmental education, over the past three decades, steps forward have been taken and remarkable progress has been made. In this research, we use the case study method of historical analysis to describe and analyze the overall situation, as well as the major projects, policies and programs implemented to date in Iran. Data and information were compiled using various sources, including environmental education office performance reports, and documents, records, books and articles published in this field.Environmental education in Iran has experienced 4 major phases, and forward momentum is improving.This research also illustrates recommendations for optimal development of this scientific expertise in the future.

The Zagros forests are important and valuable forest ecosystems in Iran. In order to study plant species diversity and its relationship with environmental factors in the central Zagros forest ecosystems, 600 hectares of forest of the western Dena protected area were selected near Yasuj City. 50 plots of 450 square meters were then established with dimensions of 15× 30 meters. So, 200 microplots of one square meter, 200 microplots of 10 square meters and 50 microplots of 45 square meters were established within the main plots. All physiographic factors, such as slope, aspect, altitude, and the physical and chemical soil properties of each plot, were collected and measured. All tree and grass species on each plot were recorded. The results showed that factors such as lime, potassium and soil texture had diverse effects on trees and grasses. Thus, by increasing lime and decreasing potassium and larger soil particles, grass biodiversity increased, while tree diversity decreased. Altitude and aspect had an affect on tree richness, and slope affected grass diversity. Lower altitudes and northern aspects showed a higher amount of richness, and the middle slope had the highest value of grass diversity. Also, the effects of soil factors on grass biodiversity were more than physiographic factors. The present study also determined that biodiversity, especially grass biodiversity, despite protection, was low in the available areas and lower slopes, due to human harvests and livestock grazing.