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Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
Abstract:   (2119 Views)
Extensive changes in land use over the past few decades have posed a major challenge to the ability of ecosystems to provide services. Therefore, a better understanding of the impact of these changes on the ecosystem services is essential. For this purpose, in the present study, while extracting the land use map for the past and present, the land use map for the future was predicted and extracted using the Scenario Generator tool of InVEST software. Then, the effects of land use change on ecosystem services related to habitat quality in Normab Dam Basin of Golestan province were evaluated using the Habitat Quality tool of InVEST software. The results showed that due to severe changes in land use and conversion of natural lands, especially forest lands into agricultural and residential lands, the quality of habitats has decreased from 2000 to 2018 and land degradation has increased by the same amount. The forecast for 2036 also confirmed that if the current trend continues, the decline in habitat quality will be more severe and land degradation will increase. Based on the results, the average habitat quality for the years 2000, 2018, and 2036 is 0.8, 0.71, and 0.59, respectively, which indicates a sharp decline in habitat quality. Also, the average land degradation for the years 2000, 2018, and 2036 is 0.016, 0.020, and 0.025, respectively, which indicates an increase in degradation over time.
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Type of Study: Research |
Received: 2020/11/1 | Accepted: 2020/12/20 | Published: 2021/01/5

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