Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Naser Mashhadi ¹
• Sirous Shamshiri ²

¹ International Desert Research Center, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

² Department of Arid and Mountainous Region Reclamation, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Landform-based physiographic units directly and indirectly influence the diversity and spatial distribution of land use and land cover. The spatial patterns of landforms and land use/cover result from both natural and human factors, whose interactions are not yet fully understood. This study presents a geomorphological analysis of land-use units in a semi-arid to semi-humid region to support land-use planning. Landform units were delineated based on lithological characteristics and dominant geomorphic processes. The dominant spatial patterns of land use were analyzed using satellite imagery and field observations. Land-use classification and mapping were conducted in two stages based on land-use function and activity. The geomorphological analysis revealed that cropland is primarily distributed across regular slopes and landforms affected by surface erosion. Cropland is also largely confined to slopes ranging from 0 to 10%, indicating topographic constraints on its expansion. Rangelands, pastures, and water-resource land uses are distributed across a wide range of landforms, lithological units, and slope classes. Urban land uses are mainly concentrated in low-lying areas with slopes of less than 5%. The results demonstrate that landform characteristics and slope strongly influence land-use diversity and spatial patterns. Incorporating geomorphic conditions into land-use planning can therefore serve as a key component of sustainable decision-making.

Keywords

• Land form
• dynamic processes
• land use pattern
• regular slope
• Debris
• Parent material