نشریه مهندسی اکوسیستم بیابان
پیاپی 25 (زمستان 1398)

Having accurate and up-to-date information on the status of land use and land cover change is a key point to protecting natural resources, sustainable agriculture management and urban development. Preparing the land cover and land use maps with traditional methods is usually time and cost consuming. Nowadays satellite imagery provides the possibility to prepare these maps in less time and with greater accuracy. In order to prepare land use and land cover maps using satellite imagery, different classification methods are used. In a general division, these methods can be divided into two groups of pixel-based and object-based classification methods. Despite the fact that the Sentinel 2 satellite has recently been launched and its images have been freely available to users, there has not been enough research on the use of this satellite imagery in land use and land cover mapping. Therefore, in present research, we tried to investigate the capability of Sentinel 2 satellite imagery in land use and land cover mapping of Bastam basin in Lorestan province, using pixel-based and object-based classification methods and compare it with Landsat 8 satellite imagery.

  In order to conduct this research, training samples were collected by field survey, using existing maps, creation of false color images and Google Earth software in six classes including garden, bare land, forest, agriculture, residential and river. The 90, 280, 680, 59, 180, 85 and 70 training samples were collected in the river, agriculture, forest, garden, residential, bare land and pasture classes, respectively. The 70% of collected samples were used as training samples and 30% of the rest were used as test samples. After performing the necessary preprocessing, images classified using the Maximum likelihood, Minimum distance, Mahalanobis distance algorithms of pixel-based method and the Nearest neighbor algorithm of object-based method. The object-based classification method consists of two main stages of segmentation and classification. In this research, Multi Resolution Segmentation algorithm was used for segmentation. Classification was done by the Nearest Neighbor method in eCognition software. Accuracy assessment of classification results was performed using test samples and overall accuracy, Kappa coefficient, user accuracy and producer accuracy indices.

The overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient for Sentinel 2 satellite images were classified using Maximum likelihood, Mahalanobis distance and Minimum distance were calculated (85.2% and 0.77), (88.77% and 81.8) and (71.1% and 0.56) respectively. For Landsat 8 satellite images were classified using Maximum likelihood, Mahalanobis distance and Minimum distance the overall accuracy and kappa coefficient were observed (84.10% and 76%), (82.83% and 0.73) and (63.50% and 48.3%) respectively, which indicates a relatively higher potential Sentinel 2 image compared to Landsat 8 images in the pixel classification of land use and land cover. In addition, the results of the object-based classification by the Nearest neighbor method showed that the Sentinel 2 images with overall accuracy 89.70% and kappa coefficient 0.83 had better performance than Landsat 8 images with overall accuracy 88% and Kappa coefficient 0.81.
Discussion and

According to the results, it can be concluded that of Sentinel 2 satellite images have a better relative performance than Landsat 8 satellite imagery in the preparation of land use and land cover maps, this seems to be due to the higher spatial resolution of the Sentinel 2 satellite (10-meter pixel in near infrared and visible bands) compared to Landsat 8 (30-meter pixel in near infrared and visible bands). The highest level of user and producer accuracy were observed in the forest land cover, it seems that the reason for this is the vast forest area in the study area and as a result of increasing the number of training samples in this land cover. Comparison of the performance of the pixel-based and object-based classification methods showed that the use of the object-based classification method improves the results of land use and land cover classification. Finally, it is important to note that, despite the better performance of Sentinel 2 satellite imagery and object- based classification method than Landsat 8 satellite images and pixel-based classification method, but the results of Landsat 8 satellite imagery, and pixel-based method was acceptable as well.

Zygophyllum fabago L. is a C3 type plant and tolerant to drought with a widespread distribution in arid and semi-arid regions. For two reasons, the study of the physiological behavior of the Z. fabago in its natural environment is important. First, various species of Zygophyllum are often not used for animal feeding or fuel preparation, while all parts of the plant (leaf, stem, root and fruit) have a high drug value. Commercial cultivation of Z. fabago in areas that are not suitable for traditional agricultural systems, like Iran deserts, can be considered. Second, priority of recovery, improvement and protection of soil in desert environments, which will lead to the sustainability and distribution of the vital population of such ecosystems. Selection and introduction of appropriate species for retrieval have great important. Z. fabago shrubs are considered as the most important species in the sustainability and regeneration of desert ecosystems. Understanding the tolerance mechanism of Z. fabago requires study of the flexibility of its metabolism in natural habitats. Age-dependent biochemical variations in leaves may be effective in survival of plant under inappropriate conditions. The responses of plants to environmental factors come from their structural and physiological characteristics of leaves at different stages of development. In this study, metabolic and ionic changes during increasing of leaf ages in the Z. fabago plant were studied.

To study of metabolic and ionic changes, five leaf samples, showing the young stage to the maturity, were numbered from apex to base. During maturation, a series of apparent differences and physiological and biochemical changes were occurred in leaves. The pigments, total soluble proteins content and proline concentration were measured according to Lichtenthaler, McMillen and McClendon and Bates methods, respectively. The phenol-sulfuric acid method was applied to determine total carbohydrates. Plant ashes were used to measure the elements. Complexometric titration was used to evaluate the total calcium and magnesium content of  tissues. Sodium and potassium of tissues were analyzed with flame photometery method. Colorimetric determination of phosphorus fulfilled by phosphomolybdate method. The research was done on a completely randomized design with three replications. The data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software and comparison of the mean with Duncan test.

The results showed that as the age of leaves increased, a reduction was observed in concentration of photosynthetic pigments. The values of chlorophyll a and b and total chlorophyll show a regular and significant decrease with increasing age. This decrease is occurred also about carotenoids, which leads to a relative stability of the ratio of carotenoids to chlorophyll. The data changes in this ratio are not significant in leaves with different positions on the stem. Also, the amount of total soluble protein, soluble sugars and proline showed a regular and significant reduction in leaf positions from apex to base of the stem. The magnesium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus concentrations were the highest in the young leaves.

In this research, we observed different trends in changing of some biochemical and physiological characteristics Zygophyllum fabago plant during leaf aging. Developmental stage strongly influences the morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics of the leaves. Generally, younger leaves are relatively rich in potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus, while older organs are calcium abundant; because when the leaves become old they lose mobile elements. Elements that are particularly involved in growth are evacuated at the stage of aging and before falling out of the leaf. The concentrations of photosynthetic pigments in the young leaves were highest, which lead to high light harvesting and hence, growth of plants. Newly emerged young leaves that are sensitive to environment conditions become immune by elevated gross primary production. As has been observed, aging tends to reduce the amount of soluble proteins sugars. While the effect of increasing leaf age reflects the same increased metabolites mobilization trend. Therefore, the results indicate that metabolites accumulation in the young leaves of Zygophyllum fabago during development of leaves is a necessary mechanism to plant survives according to leaf function sensitivity to environmental conditions.

Considering the increasing population and the growing need for food and drinking water, it is essential to explore and understand the factors of crop production, especially water resources. Today, the removal of undiluted water from underground water sources has produced qualitative issues, in addition to a few shortcomings. These issues are more significant in arid and semi-arid regions, which are more dependent on these resources. In these areas, due to lack of water resources, access to appropriate quality resources is important. The quality of groundwater undergoes spatial and temporal scales and cannot be assumed to be constant over time and place. Therefore, for the purpose of using groundwater resources and targeting for future uses, it is important to consider changes in the quality characteristics of resources over time and place. Therefore, studying the temporal and spatial variations of water quality is essential for properly and efficiently managing the use of these resources. In order to determine the process of time variation, different methods are used. One of the most common non-parametric methods is analysis of the trend in time series using the Mann-Kendall test. It is necessary to know the spatial changes of resources, to collect parameters in different locations, which requires a high cost and time. In such a situation, geospatial interpolation methods can be very efficient. Land use methods can reduce costs and increase the accuracy of estimation, due to the ability of reducing the number of samplings, application of the combination and providing more accurate estimation of variables location. The purpose of this research is investigation of groundwater quality in terms of agricultural use and its effect on permeability in Borujerd-Doroud Plain.

Boroujerd-Doroud Plain with an area of ​​2545.8 km2 is located in northeast of Lorestan province and northernmost part the large Karon Basin. the trend of changes in the parameters of electrical conductivity, calcium, magnesium, sodium and bicarbonate of plain resources during the period of time (1994-2016) was investigated by the Mann-Kendall test and for qualitative maps prepation based on the Permeability Index, Sodium Percentage, and Wilcox, the data of 41 groundwater resources in 2016 were used. The accuracy evaluation of any interpolation or selection of the appropriate parameter is necessary. In the present study, the RMSE index was used to determine the appropriate method. Among different methods, each one with less RMSE is selected as the appropriate method. Different methods of interpolation were compared for the zoning of the quality parameters. Regarding the results of this comparison, the conventional Kriging interpolation method was chosen as the most appropriate interpolation method due to lower RMSE. The permeability index is a parameter that is used to evaluate the quality of irrigation water. Sodium levels of water are important parameters for using water in irrigated agricultural land. Increasing of sodium in water decreases soil permeability. Wilcox classification is one of the most important classifications for determining the quality of agricultural water based on two parameters of electrical conductivity and sodium absorption ratio as alkalinity risk.

The results showed that the trend of changes in all parameters was reduced, which showed that the trend of changes in bicarbonate content was significant at 95% confidence level. In terms of permeability index, 85.84% of the plain has excellent irrigation water quality. Based on this classification, the water quality in northwest of the plain is poor, in southeast is moderate and in other plain areas is excellent for irrigation purposes. Based on the qualitative map of the percent of sodium, the irrigation water quality in northwest and southeast of the plain is excellent, and in the central area of the plain is allowable. The irrigation water quality in other areas of plain is good. The irrigation water quality based on Wilcox's method was classified in two C2S1 and C3S1 classes, which included 90.91% of the studied sources of C2S1 and 9.09% of the C3S1 grade.

The quality map based on this classification showed that 85.94% of the plain area has a good water quality. The Investigation of EC and SAR changes effects on soil permeability showed that the variations of these two parameters are not negative across the plain, and the region has a good and moderate permeability status, which is 26.8%.

Dust storms are natural hazards that effects on weather conditions, human health and ecosystem. Atmospheric processes are directly affected by the absorption and diffusion of radiation by dust, and dust in the cloud acts as a nucleus of congestion. The main dust regions in the world are arid topographies that have soil that is vulnerable to erosion and poor vegetation, easily eroded by wind. Due to its presence in the dry and semiarid belt of the world, Iran is exposed to multiple local and transboundary dust and dust systems. Iran and especially eastern Iran are exposed to severe environmental challenges such as storm dust. Land use change and soil erosion-sensitive soils are one of the most important factors affecting the creation of dust source areas.

The purpose of this study is to identify and determine the characteristics of dust source areas in eastern Iran. The study area is in the eastern part of Iran with an area of about 3711854.1704 km2. The altitude in the study area is 107 to 3527 meters above sea level. This area includes 7 provinces including North and South Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi, Semnan, Kerman, Yazd, Sistan and Baluchestan. In this research, MODIS data was used to identify the dust source area. To identify dust source area from MODIS satellite imagery for the period of 2004 to 2017 and using dust detection indicators including BTD3132, BTD2931, NDDI and D, were used. After determining the areas for dust source and preparing the distribution map of these points in the study area, the surface properties of dust source areas were investigated. In this study, landslide, geology, slope and normalized vegetation index (NDVI), which are effective in creating dust source area, were studied. Finally, to determine the characteristics of dust source areas, the mapping of the distribution map of dust source areas with land use maps, slope, NDVI and lithology in ArcGIS software environment was performed. After covering the layers, land use characteristics, slope, NDVI and lithology of dust source areas were extracted.

Using the four parameters and the method of false color combination and applying it to the MODIS image, the dust mass was detected on the images and then, by their visual interpretation, the starting point of the dust was determined. 147 dust points were identified in the study area. The results show that the highest dust points in land use, rangeland and agricultural land with 54, 45 and 18 points, which is about 36.73%, 30.61% and 24.24% The total points of the study area are located. The distribution results show the dust points on different slopes. As you can see, most of the dust points are two slopes of 0-2 and 2-5 with 104 and 27 points, with 90% of the source points in these two slopes. The results indicate that clay-loamy soils with the 61 point of dust, accounting for about 41.5% of the total points, have the highest point. This soil contains 38.084 percent of the total area of the region. The Vegetation Indicator Map (NDVI) in the region indicates that most of the area has no vegetation or vegetation, and only a very small part of the area (less than 1%) has a vegetation that indicates the land Far East of Iran. The results also indicate that all dust points are located on the 0 to -0.394673 class, and the rest of the classes have no point of view. The results showed that the highest and lowest dust points were in the geological units of chemical-sedimentary formations and intrusive rocks with a number of 43 and 0 source of dust.

The results show that most of the dust source areas in land use and rangeland uses 54 and 45 points, which is about 37% and 31% of the total source points of the study area. The results also showed that among different soils, the highest point of dust with clay-loamy soil texture with 61 points was observed (about 41.5% of total source points). Also, most dust source area are visible in areas with low slope and no vegetation cover. From the perspective of geology, the highest and lowest dust points in the region are located in the geological units of the sedimentary chemical formations and intrusive rocks of the player.

Groundwater is the main source of water supply for agricultural purposes, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. the Water Quality Index (WQI) is used to provide early and quick results of the assessment of water quality status, IRWQI has been developed with the aim of using appropriate method with natural conditions and water resources issues in Iran. In this research, the trend analysis of parameters and quality assessment of groundwater resources of Lenjanat-Najafabad aquifer using IRWQIGC are reviewed.

In this research, the time variation of water quality parameters was investigated using data from four different sources including Regional Water Company of Isfahan, Water and Wastewater Company of Isfahan Province, Isfahan Urban Water and Wastewater Company, and Isfahan University. Based on these, qualitative analysis of presentation Became The data for the time period (1995-2016) include EC, TDS, SAR, PH, TH and also NO3 and heavy metals including zinc, copper, lead, cadmium and arsenic. The water quality in Lenjanat-Najafabad was evaluated for agriculture and drink using the Wilcox and Schuler classification. ArcGIS software can be used for mapping the mapping of different interpolation methods. In the present study, the RMSE index was used to determine the appropriate method. In this region, the Kriging method is more appropriate.

The average spatial temporal of quality parameters in Lenjanat range was compared in four-time intervals and the results indicate a decrease in the quality of groundwater resources in recent years. The trend of changes in parameters compared to the aquifer volume showed that in addition to reducing the size of the aquifer, there has been an increase in the incidence of contamination in the aquifer in recent years. In Lenjanat, agricultural water classification is mainly in the C2-S1, C3-S1 and C3-S2 regions, and in Najafabad in C2-S1, C3-S1 and C4-S2. The classification of drinking water according to the Shouler diagram in Lenjanat is mostly good and acceptable, and in Najafabad it was mostly found in acceptable and moderate class, and in some cases inappropriate. The amount of heavy metals is within the limits. The zonation of nitrate and IRWQIGC index were performed using Kriging method. The average nitrate value in Najafabad was 63/13 mg / L. The IRWQIGC index was calculated in Najafabad at 19/8 and in Langunat, 35/9, indicating poor water quality in the area.

The results showed that in addition to decreasing the size of the aquifer, there has been an increase in the incidence of contamination in the aquifer in recent years. it can be concluded that by decreasing the size of the aquifer from the other side and increasing the input of pollutants to groundwater resources, on the other hand, the increase of water pollution in the aquifer is evident. In other studies, researchers also examined the process of changing the quality parameters for the assessment of the quality of groundwater resources, as well as the Schuler and Wilcox diagram for water quality classification. the amount of nitrate in the range of Najafabad is the highest and the average spatial range of samples measured in this range exceeds the limit. Regarding the quality of water resources in the Lenjanat-Najafabad aquifer based on Iran Water Quality Index (IRWQI), the IRWQIGC index was used in this study for groundwater resources. Other researchers also used the WQI index for review. The quality of water resources is appropriate, but in the present study, considering that the research area in Iran is located, this indicator, but suitable for the conditions of IRWQI country, was used. Indicator zonation in the study area was performed using Kriging method and the results indicate that the index is low and as a result of inappropriate water quality of the region, especially in Najafabad, the index is less and water quality is inappropriate. Nitrate zoning map in this study area also shows an amount beyond the limit of nitrate in the areas mentioned. Other researchers have also introduced the Kriging method as a suitable method for mapping the map. If one of the main causes of high nitrate levels is agricultural activity in the area, it can be said that pollutants related to the use of chemical pesticides should be considered in future measurements. The trend analysis in Isfahan Regional Water Data showed that the water quality in the resources in the aquifer area has become worse with time. However, how big the share of each pollutant is, with the amount of information available, is difficult to quantify, but the approach of not polluting water resources should certainly be considered as a national approach.

Rangelands constitute almost 52 percent of the country area computed as 164 million ha. The extent of rangelands has been estimated 84 million ha in Iran and they have been classified as good, moderate to poor and poor to very poor ones ranged as almost 10, 42 and 48 percent, respectively. One of the fundamental problems concerning land uses of rangelands is that Rangeland are not be used on the basis of their potentials and suitability and the improper land use let to excessive degradation of range. One of the potentials of arid and semiarid natural ecosystems is that these regions are prepaid area for grazing animal species. These species adopted with dry climate and conditions and they have high value. Wild goat and wild lamb such as the importance index of mammals in mountain region in a lot of dry habitat. Therefore, there isn’t enough studying about contract relationship and their habitat in Hormozgan. On the other side, these animals are one of the main food resources for carnivores such as tiger.  Tiger, goat and lamb are important potential in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Many factors affect the rangeland suitability such as vegetation and abiotic factors such as land slope, hillside length, soil properties, erosion sensibility, water distributions and etc. water is a major determinant of livestock distributions and grazing. Livestock grazes from a water point to another depending on the availability of forage and water. Habitat suitability of wildlife and determining suitability for livestock investigate relationship between species and ecological factors. These modals today are such as instrument for using in protection biology and their result has high utility in different management planning for protection and rehabilitation wildlife population in protected area. It is necessary for permanent and sustainable using from these resources is evaluate ecologic potential and determining arid and semi-arid land suitability. Geno national park because of habitat degradation and hasn’t enough protection of wildlife degraded to protected area in 1351. This region is ecoton and it is interring pole of 3 grow areas (Khalig – Omani, Iran – Tourani & Zagros) from 5 grow areas in Iran. Geno has more than 60% of plant species in Hormozgan, it has 517 plant species. Because of climate changing and human degradation wild life density decreased. In IUCN report some animals are in vulnerable list (IUCN, 2009). This fact show that we need to decide for arid and semi-arid areas that they have wildlife habitat for protection and improve herbivores and mammal’s species population especially in protected area. It causes to prevent degradation and decreasing ecological potential area.

Geno protected area with 44598 ha with 27 15 49 – 27 29 28 north and 56 18 15 – 56 57 5 in 30 km to west north of Bandarabass. Geno has mountain with 2345 m that surrounded by plain and open hills. North of Geno is Tang Bagh river, Agah harbor Chimangan, Geno gerd tiver, Soltan Shah land and Sadgaz in east, Bandarlengeh to Kal river. Geno is far 30 km from center of Bandarabas from 1351 under manage of environment protection organization. This study was down according FAO evaluation principals for determining livestock and wildlife grazing suitability in Geno protected area. For determining wildlife grazing suitability modal, at first based map and second sub modals prepared and then we overlaid maps. Finally, region with high suitability (S1), moderate suitability (S2), weak suitability (S3) and not proper (N) determined. Although all articles effect on arid and semi-arid ecosystems suitability, but investigation of all factors is not possible. So, 3 factors are main article from final wildlife suitability modals according FAO principals (Arzani, 2006) a) Soil Sensitivity to erosion final modal of erosion HASASIAT soil was prepared according field studding and observation investigation with EPM. b) Forage production and determining grazing capacity: in production suitability modal, total production and production that animal can graze in every type were calculated. We measured Total production by cut and weight method (Milner and Hogs, 1968). We determined wildlife daily requirement forage for different wildlife species and then wildlife grazing capacity determined.c) Water resources. Place of water resources by GPS registered in ArcGIS and distance of water resources map with buffer prepared. After overlaid quality and quantity and distance of water resources we identify water resources wildlife map.

In our study we use two parameters one ecological (slope, aspect, dem, soil, plant production, water resources, wildlife distributions) and one sub structural (distance to city and service facility and accommodations and roads). FAO modal for determining suitability. Results show that in Geno protected area we haven’t S1 and S2 area and we have 27.84 % S3 or 12415.46 ha and 32182.54 ha or 72.16 % area non suitable area. So according to finding we must manage and protect more. Although exporting modals livestock were interred wildlife suitability modals.  Allowable use harvesting level, forage production, livestock more grazing and decreasing water resources are limited factors for wildlife grazing suitability. If we don’t protect and we haven’t good and principal program our suitability trend from S3 to N.

Mining is one of the most effective human activities to change the situation in the region, particularly in arid area. The human demand for minerals and energy resources under the ground has made mining and exploration operations inevitable. Mining is one of the common human behaviors with numerous outcomes for the ecosystem along with serious environmental and ecological consequences in natural ecosystems such as desert areas, leading to positive and negative changes in these areas.

In this study, it has been sought to assess the ecological vulnerability of mining areas of Tabas using environmental degradation model. The current applied research methodology is based on spatial data analysis and spatial analysis tools in ArcGIS software environment. In this regard, altitude, direction and slope maps were extracted from ASTER, while NDVI map was extracted from MODIS to determine vegetation vulnerability. In the next step, necessary corrections, drawings and analyses were performed. Isothermal maps were used to produce climatic maps for the temperature factor and the border and coastal zone stations were considered for the precipitation factor. Soil maps were obtained from soil map files, while geological maps were taken from geological map files at a scale of 1:100000 and groundwater maps were used from baseline data of regional water stations. To quantify environmental degradation phenomena, severity and degree of ecosystem vulnerability, an environmental degradation model is developed. This model is one of the methods of modeling system analysis, introduced for the conditions of Iran.

The results of the analysis and summarization of the data from the study area elevation map show that the highest level is related to Class 1 and less than 1000 m (66%) and the second level is Class 2 with 28.77% of the study area is located. As more than 94% of the area is covered by one or two vulnerabilities. Therefore, the ecological factor of elevation in the region is not very sensitive. While regarding the factor of slope, 45.69% of the area was in the vulnerability codes of 2 and 3. Moreover, considering the geographic direction, over 47% of the area had high ecologic vulnerability and was placed in code of 3, while 86.55% of the area with a depth of less than 10 cm was in code5 regarding the factor of soil. In addition, 71.71% of the area was in vulnerability codes of 3, 4 and 5 regarding geological factors and 100% of the area was put in vulnerability code of 1 with average annual temperature of over 15 degrees Celsius for the factor of temperature. Regarding precipitation, 99.47% of the area had the vulnerability code of 8, while vegetation and low NDVI indicator of the area led to a vulnerability code of 4. Most of the area is located in the first class of EC (387-771 microseconds) with a vulnerability code 1. This code covers about half of the area. Finally, 99% and 98% of the area were assigned vulnerability codes of1, 2 and 3 considering the depth and quality of underground water, respectively. The scope of ecologic vulnerability in the overall area under study, 62.21% of the area was in vulnerability code of 2, and 30.36% in vulnerability code of 3. Accordingly, 11.6% of the area under study which covered 679579.9 acres was exploited for mining, out of which 658047.6 acres were located in vulnerable and semi-vulnerable ecologic areas with vulnerability codes of 2 and 3.

In the present study, soil and geological factors have the most ecological limitations. In this area, due to the high sensitivity of the soil, the possibility of erosion is high and special attention should be paid to soil erosion during the environmental management process. Particularly in areas with low vegetation or barren land, there is a wide range of restrictions. In addition, the vulnerability of these areas increases with decreasing vegetation density. The percentage of vegetation in the eastern and southwestern districts of Tabas is higher and with a sensitive vulnerability class. The southern areas of the city are more resistant than the north, but are scattered and scattered. So, ecological restrictions are expected to increase in the western and central parts of Tabas County due to the low density of vegetation. So there will be more destruction and erosion. Obviously, urgent decisions to protect sensitive areas to prevent damage to land during extraction and operation are essential. Therefore, the mining areas in Tabas County need special management attention. The mine exploitation area comprises 62% of the study area, most of which is located in sensitive and semi-sensitive classes with vulnerability codes 2 and 3. Also, soil and geological factors with the highest ecological limitation are more diverse than other factors in the region. Therefore, due to the high sensitivity of the soil and the possibility of erosion, especially in areas with low vegetation cover or desolate areas (eastern and southwestern areas) as if are most vulnerable, special attention should be paid to erosion during the mining process.

Vulnerability of people and places is a complex phenomenon has been created as a result of human and environment interaction during the ages. The concept of vulnerability addresses the probability of being destructed or damaged of a society, structure, service or a geographical area due to a specific danger. Nowadays there is frequent demand for settling industrial infrastructures in disadvantaged area, where employment is necessary, considering vulnerability of such areas and limitations of available resources for development purposes, therefore; comprehensive and integrated planning in is essential in order to conservation of resources and defining vulnerability of ecosystem. There are different methods for assessment of ecological vulnerability. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is one of the common tools for this purpose. AHP is based on the premise that solutions for complex problems could be achieved if the complex structure effectively turned to simple and understandable structures. Since AHP has many desirable properties, it has been widely used in numerous quantitative researches including nature, society, economy and environmental vulnerability studies.

In this research, following statistics, data, information, maps and software in temporal and spatial scales are used:DEM map of the study area obtained from Iran Survey Organization, as well as maps of soil depth, rock type, faults, flooding and land cover of the study area obtained from Management and Planning Organization with 1:100000 scale.Also AHP, Expert Choice and GIS (version 10.3) have used in this study. The purpose of the current research is assessment of ecological vulnerability of Kerman Province toward industrial sustainable development. As the first step, available information layers (slope, elevation, soil depth, rock type, and distance from faults, flooding risk and land cover) are coded according to sensitivity to vulnerability and then all the layers are transformed to raster maps with uniform 100 meter resolution gird using ArcGIS based on their assigned codes. Using hierarchical analysis technique, the layers are weighted and integrated.

According to the final map which obtained from integration of seven previous maps, 19, 28.3, 27.9, 12.5 and 2.2 % of the study area are classified in terms of vulnerability respectively as very low, low, moderate, high and very high. This confirms that generally the study area has good or relatively good ecological resistance. The results demonstrated that Jiroft city has the highest vulnerability, while Rudbar-e Jonub, Kahnooj, Shahr-e Babak and Kuhbanan have the lowest vulnerability.

The results revealed that Kerman Province has mostly good or relatively good ecological resistance. Placement of industries depends on a variety of parameters such as terrestrial, climatic and social-economic issues. According to every single of these parameters, it is possible to determine environmental vulnerability in different regions. In this study, physical parameters were solely considered as the main locating frame in Kerman Province, and assessment of environmental vulnerability is carried out on that, using different software, as discussed in the research method. The results of this research can be used easily by managers and planners in both industrial and environmental sectors of the province, and this will enable them to address minimum environmental indicators for development purposes. It is hoped that this will improve environmental indicators and also will bring sustainable industrial development in the region.