Recreation Potential Assessment at Tamarix Forest Reserves: A Method Based on Multicriteria Evaluation Approach and Landscape Metrics
The purpose of this study was to develop new methods to describe outdoor recreation potential based on landscape indicators and systemic multicriteria evolution in the Tamarix forest reserves of Varamin city, a part of Iranian–Turanian forests of the Tehran province in Iran. First, in conducting a m...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/4/705 |
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| author | Mahmoud Bayat Pete Bettinger Sahar Heidari Masteali Seyedeh Kosar Hamidi Hafiz Umair Masood Awan Azam Abolhasani |
| author_facet | Mahmoud Bayat Pete Bettinger Sahar Heidari Masteali Seyedeh Kosar Hamidi Hafiz Umair Masood Awan Azam Abolhasani |
| author_sort | Mahmoud Bayat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The purpose of this study was to develop new methods to describe outdoor recreation potential based on landscape indicators and systemic multicriteria evolution in the Tamarix forest reserves of Varamin city, a part of Iranian–Turanian forests of the Tehran province in Iran. First, in conducting a multicriteria evaluation, ecological factors that included slope, aspect, elevation, vegetation density, precipitation, temperature, and soil texture were mapped, classified, and coded according to the degree of desirability for outdoor recreation. All these maps were then intersected and the final map of recreational potential for three regions of the forest reserves was prepared. Results showed that the Shokrabad region had more recreation potential than the other two regions (Fakhrabad and Dolatabad) in terms of the sum of ecological factors potentially affecting tourism potential. Second, in conducting a landscape-based method, six of the most important indicators of the landscape that are effective in outdoor recreational potential were developed for each region. The combination of these landscape features determined the value of a place for recreational activities from a landscape perspective. The results showed that a large part of the Shokrabad region and a smaller number of places in the Fakhrabad and Dolatabad regions have high outdoor recreational potential. The area suitable for recreation in the output of the multicriteria evaluation method turned out to be greater than the area suggested by the landscape method, as more factors were examined in the multicriteria evaluation method. Of the set investigated, the topography and soil factors played an important role in the evaluation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:00:55Z |
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| id | doaj.art-2d2413d2e8f74112b41ec4af1ffa1709 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:00:55Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-2d2413d2e8f74112b41ec4af1ffa17092023-11-17T19:16:42ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072023-03-0114470510.3390/f14040705Recreation Potential Assessment at Tamarix Forest Reserves: A Method Based on Multicriteria Evaluation Approach and Landscape MetricsMahmoud Bayat0Pete Bettinger1Sahar Heidari Masteali2Seyedeh Kosar Hamidi3Hafiz Umair Masood Awan4Azam Abolhasani5Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran 14968-13111, IranWarnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USADepartment of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran 14179-35840, IranDepartment of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Sari Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resource University, Sari 48181-68984, IranHelclean Consulting Services, Asiakkaankatu 6B 29, 00930 Helsinki, FinlandDesert Control and Management, Department of Reclamation of Arid and Mountainous Regions, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran 14179-35840, IranThe purpose of this study was to develop new methods to describe outdoor recreation potential based on landscape indicators and systemic multicriteria evolution in the Tamarix forest reserves of Varamin city, a part of Iranian–Turanian forests of the Tehran province in Iran. First, in conducting a multicriteria evaluation, ecological factors that included slope, aspect, elevation, vegetation density, precipitation, temperature, and soil texture were mapped, classified, and coded according to the degree of desirability for outdoor recreation. All these maps were then intersected and the final map of recreational potential for three regions of the forest reserves was prepared. Results showed that the Shokrabad region had more recreation potential than the other two regions (Fakhrabad and Dolatabad) in terms of the sum of ecological factors potentially affecting tourism potential. Second, in conducting a landscape-based method, six of the most important indicators of the landscape that are effective in outdoor recreational potential were developed for each region. The combination of these landscape features determined the value of a place for recreational activities from a landscape perspective. The results showed that a large part of the Shokrabad region and a smaller number of places in the Fakhrabad and Dolatabad regions have high outdoor recreational potential. The area suitable for recreation in the output of the multicriteria evaluation method turned out to be greater than the area suggested by the landscape method, as more factors were examined in the multicriteria evaluation method. Of the set investigated, the topography and soil factors played an important role in the evaluation.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/4/705potential assessmentIranian–Turanian forestsVaramin cityoutdoor recreation |
| spellingShingle | Mahmoud Bayat Pete Bettinger Sahar Heidari Masteali Seyedeh Kosar Hamidi Hafiz Umair Masood Awan Azam Abolhasani Recreation Potential Assessment at Tamarix Forest Reserves: A Method Based on Multicriteria Evaluation Approach and Landscape Metrics Forests potential assessment Iranian–Turanian forests Varamin city outdoor recreation |
| title | Recreation Potential Assessment at Tamarix Forest Reserves: A Method Based on Multicriteria Evaluation Approach and Landscape Metrics |
| title_full | Recreation Potential Assessment at Tamarix Forest Reserves: A Method Based on Multicriteria Evaluation Approach and Landscape Metrics |
| title_fullStr | Recreation Potential Assessment at Tamarix Forest Reserves: A Method Based on Multicriteria Evaluation Approach and Landscape Metrics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recreation Potential Assessment at Tamarix Forest Reserves: A Method Based on Multicriteria Evaluation Approach and Landscape Metrics |
| title_short | Recreation Potential Assessment at Tamarix Forest Reserves: A Method Based on Multicriteria Evaluation Approach and Landscape Metrics |
| title_sort | recreation potential assessment at tamarix forest reserves a method based on multicriteria evaluation approach and landscape metrics |
| topic | potential assessment Iranian–Turanian forests Varamin city outdoor recreation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/4/705 |
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