Emad Zakeri; Hamidreza karimzadeh; Seyed Alireza Mousavi; mohammad ghorbani
Abstract
Rangelands provide a diverse array of vital services that pertain to human life. But market failure to consider the value of these ecosystem services has disturbed provision of many ecosystem services. In this study the economic value of water conservation functions by Arnaveh basin located in northwestern ...
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Rangelands provide a diverse array of vital services that pertain to human life. But market failure to consider the value of these ecosystem services has disturbed provision of many ecosystem services. In this study the economic value of water conservation functions by Arnaveh basin located in northwestern Iran was estimated. Rainfall-runoff simulation was carried out by using Curve Number (CN) method. Also by means of Replacement Cost method the value of the hydrological services were quantified. The role of vegetation cover in water conservation was estimated by comparing the surface runoff under current condition and uncovered soil conditions. Moreover the role of rangelands on water retention and surface runoff reduction by devising three more hypothetical scenarios and then the effects of land use changes associated with these scenarios on rainfall-runoff rate of the region were compared. Results showed that the role of rangelands vegetation cover in water conservation and surface runoff reduction was 7.19×106 m3, with the economic value of 123×109 IRR. Also, the results of a comparing between 3 hypothetical scenarios and current conditions showed that, under the case of scenario one which assumes that the entire of rangelands area is becoming to rain-fed farming, total outflow would be in the maximum amount and the most negative effects will accrue. Also the scenarios of improvement of vegetation cover to 25-50 percent has the most positive effects (1.95×106 m3 yr-1 decrease) on water retention. The results of this study could help decision-makers in selecting appropriate and economically feasible development strategies.
S.M Soleimanpour; majid Soufi; hassan Ahmadi
Volume 63, Issue 1 , June 2010, , Pages 41-52
Abstract
Gully erosion has an important role in Fars province due to sediment production and enormous damages to land, roads and infrastructures. In this research, 15 gullies were selected to measure their morphometric characteristics. The length, depth, top and bottom width and volume of gully erosion were then ...
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Gully erosion has an important role in Fars province due to sediment production and enormous damages to land, roads and infrastructures. In this research, 15 gullies were selected to measure their morphometric characteristics. The length, depth, top and bottom width and volume of gully erosion were then measured. Influential factors on the sediment production and gully development were analyzed and determined by using stepwise method in SPSS software. The results indicate that sediment production due to gully development is related to three variables including drainage area, silt and the sand percent of the watershed above the gully heads. These results imply that surface runoff is acting as dominant hydrologic process on gully development. Investigation on the topographic threshold reveals that drainage area exponent (b) is negative and these results are in the same line with the results of some recent relevant studies. The results also indicate the watershed characteristics and geological formation impact on the gully sediment production. Gully development could be reduced by decreasing the area of bare land as the main source of surface runoff by vegetation planting and terracing. Constructing of small earth dams at the end of gullies collect surface runoff and provides better situations for vegetation establishment around gullies.