The present study aimed to evaluate the livelihood resilience of pastoral households in the Salahiyeh Wetland region in coping with environmental crises based on the Livelihood Resilience Index (LRI). This research is applied in terms of its objective and descriptive–survey in terms of methodology. The statistical population consisted of 95 pastoral households in the study area, from which 76 respondents were selected using a simple random sampling method based on Cochran’s formula. Data were collected through a standardized LRI questionnaire, and after data normalization, three main dimensions of livelihood resilience, including absorptive capacity, adaptive capacity, and transformative capacity, were calculated. The overall resilience levels were categorized into three groups: low (0–0.33), moderate (0.34–0.66), and high (0.67–1). Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses, including the independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), were used for data analysis.
The results showed that the absorptive capacity of pastoral households was low, with a score of 0.32, indicating limited ability to withstand environmental and economic shocks. This low level was associated with inadequate financial reserves, limited social support networks, and high vulnerability to climate-related disturbances. In contrast, adaptive capacity obtained a score of 0.54, indicating a moderate level and demonstrating that pastoral households have a relative ability to modify livelihood strategies, diversify income sources, and utilize new technologies in response to changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, transformative capacity was estimated at 0.51, which was also classified as moderate. Overall, the findings revealed that the livelihood resilience of pastoral households in the Salahiyeh Wetland is at a moderate-to-low level. Therefore, improving resilience requires strengthening financial and social assets, developing alternative and complementary livelihood activities, enhancing the participation of pastoral communities in natural resource management, improving supportive infrastructures, and adopting climate-compatible policies.