Volume 14, Issue 1 (7-2026)
Ecol Iran For 2026, 14(1): 82-108 |
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Sobhani P , Danehkar A. (2026). Prioritizing and Rapidly Assessing Ecosystem Services in Natural Mangrove Habitats of Iran
(Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, and Bushehr Provinces). Ecol Iran For. 14(1), 82-108. doi:10.61882/ifej.2026.595
URL: http://ifej.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-595-en.html
URL: http://ifej.sanru.ac.ir/article-1-595-en.html
1- Department of Environmental Science, Natural Resources Faculty, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
2- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
2- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
Abstract: (931 Views)
Extended Abstract
Background: Mangrove forests are one of the most valuable natural ecosystems, attracting the attention of planners and visitors due to their ecosystem services, and are also considered among the most sought-after tourist destinations in coastal areas. Mangrove ecosystems are considered a reserve, shelter, feeding ground, and nursery for many plants and animals. These forests are natural habitats whose wide range of ecosystem services supports social, economic, and environmental benefits. Despite their diverse and numerous services, these sensitive coastal ecosystems are exposed to various human pressures, and human activities, such as aquaculture, urban development, environmental pollution, deforestation, overexploitation of services, and sea level rise, are permanent threats to mangrove growth. Over the past half-century, the extent of these forests has decreased significantly, and more than one-third of their area is at risk of extinction by the beginning of the new millennium. According to studies, the ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests in coastal areas are of great importance, particularly for local communities residing in these areas. Therefore, examining the spatial distribution of ecosystem services by identifying and prioritizing these valuable resources can help in the proper planning and protection of these natural habitats to meet human livelihood needs. Accordingly, the present study aimed to identify and prioritize ecosystem services in mangrove forests of Iran.
Methods: In this study, based on a review of resources according to the Millennium Ecosystem Classification and previous study records, the opinions of specialists, experts, and local communities in each of the studied habitats, a list of existing ecosystem services was prepared in four groups: provisioning, regulation, support, and cultural. After identifying the ecosystem services available in the region, these services were weighted and prioritized for each habitat using the Analytical Network Process (ANP) model. Subsequently, the CICES rapid ecosystem services assessment method was used to investigate the effectiveness of each service in the target habitats.
Results: According to the results, the distribution of the abundance of ecosystem services in the 19 studied habitats includes 521 services in different service groups, which include 96 provisioning services (18.42%), 91 regulatory services (17.46%), 169 support services (32.43%), and 165 cultural services (31.66%). In terms of ecosystem service diversity, the highest diversity is observed in the Qeshm coast habitat with 39 services, while the lowest diversity is in the Bordkhon habitat with 18 services. The results of the weighting and prioritization of ecosystem services also show that "supporting services" with a weighting coefficient of 0.351 have the highest weight among the four main service groups. Mangrove ecosystems provide a set of supporting services that are of great importance in terms of supporting natural systems and human communities. These services also play a fundamental role in providing ecological processes for other service groups. Thus, the most important supporting services in mangrove forests are those that provide biodiversity conservation, nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production for food webs. According to the results of the rapid assessment of services, the ecosystem service group in the Khamir habitats (Sayeh Khosh, Khamir-Lashteghan, Mardo, and Pohl habitats) and Qeshm (Khorkhoran and Qeshm coast habitats), especially the supporting and cultural services, is of the highest importance. This indicates the high role of supporting-cultural ecosystem services and their positive impact on the Khamir and Qeshm habitats. Likewise, the abundance of supporting and cultural services among these habitats indicates the importance of protecting biodiversity and supporting habitats, and cultural planning and developing sustainable tourism in this region, respectively.
Conclusion: As the results show, the high frequency of supporting services among Iranian mangrove habitats indicates the importance of biodiversity conservation and habitat protection and planning for integrated management in this region. Furthermore, considering the high recreational value and the presence of pristine landscapes and abundant natural attractions, cultural services have the second priority and the highest weight coefficient after supporting services in this region, which requires cultural planning and sustainable tourism development in Iranian mangrove forests. In addition, among the habitats, the highest weight coefficient and ranking of ecosystem services are related to the "Qeshm Coast habitat" and then the "Khorkhoran habitat". Therefore, proper management and planning for the utilization and distribution of services in these habitats are of great importance and a priority. On the other hand, the high abundance and diversity of ecosystem services in the studied habitats also indicate the livelihood dependence of forest dwellers on forest resources, which should be considered by planners and decision-makers to protect these valuable resources, on the one hand, and to meet the basic needs of these communities, on the other. Likewise, due to their high tourism potential, Iranian mangrove forests enjoy a high distribution of recreation and nature tourism as one of the most important ecosystem services in this region. Therefore, proper planning can help maximize the use of these services and improve the conservation status of the region, on the other hand.
Background: Mangrove forests are one of the most valuable natural ecosystems, attracting the attention of planners and visitors due to their ecosystem services, and are also considered among the most sought-after tourist destinations in coastal areas. Mangrove ecosystems are considered a reserve, shelter, feeding ground, and nursery for many plants and animals. These forests are natural habitats whose wide range of ecosystem services supports social, economic, and environmental benefits. Despite their diverse and numerous services, these sensitive coastal ecosystems are exposed to various human pressures, and human activities, such as aquaculture, urban development, environmental pollution, deforestation, overexploitation of services, and sea level rise, are permanent threats to mangrove growth. Over the past half-century, the extent of these forests has decreased significantly, and more than one-third of their area is at risk of extinction by the beginning of the new millennium. According to studies, the ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests in coastal areas are of great importance, particularly for local communities residing in these areas. Therefore, examining the spatial distribution of ecosystem services by identifying and prioritizing these valuable resources can help in the proper planning and protection of these natural habitats to meet human livelihood needs. Accordingly, the present study aimed to identify and prioritize ecosystem services in mangrove forests of Iran.
Methods: In this study, based on a review of resources according to the Millennium Ecosystem Classification and previous study records, the opinions of specialists, experts, and local communities in each of the studied habitats, a list of existing ecosystem services was prepared in four groups: provisioning, regulation, support, and cultural. After identifying the ecosystem services available in the region, these services were weighted and prioritized for each habitat using the Analytical Network Process (ANP) model. Subsequently, the CICES rapid ecosystem services assessment method was used to investigate the effectiveness of each service in the target habitats.
Results: According to the results, the distribution of the abundance of ecosystem services in the 19 studied habitats includes 521 services in different service groups, which include 96 provisioning services (18.42%), 91 regulatory services (17.46%), 169 support services (32.43%), and 165 cultural services (31.66%). In terms of ecosystem service diversity, the highest diversity is observed in the Qeshm coast habitat with 39 services, while the lowest diversity is in the Bordkhon habitat with 18 services. The results of the weighting and prioritization of ecosystem services also show that "supporting services" with a weighting coefficient of 0.351 have the highest weight among the four main service groups. Mangrove ecosystems provide a set of supporting services that are of great importance in terms of supporting natural systems and human communities. These services also play a fundamental role in providing ecological processes for other service groups. Thus, the most important supporting services in mangrove forests are those that provide biodiversity conservation, nutrient cycling, soil formation, and primary production for food webs. According to the results of the rapid assessment of services, the ecosystem service group in the Khamir habitats (Sayeh Khosh, Khamir-Lashteghan, Mardo, and Pohl habitats) and Qeshm (Khorkhoran and Qeshm coast habitats), especially the supporting and cultural services, is of the highest importance. This indicates the high role of supporting-cultural ecosystem services and their positive impact on the Khamir and Qeshm habitats. Likewise, the abundance of supporting and cultural services among these habitats indicates the importance of protecting biodiversity and supporting habitats, and cultural planning and developing sustainable tourism in this region, respectively.
Conclusion: As the results show, the high frequency of supporting services among Iranian mangrove habitats indicates the importance of biodiversity conservation and habitat protection and planning for integrated management in this region. Furthermore, considering the high recreational value and the presence of pristine landscapes and abundant natural attractions, cultural services have the second priority and the highest weight coefficient after supporting services in this region, which requires cultural planning and sustainable tourism development in Iranian mangrove forests. In addition, among the habitats, the highest weight coefficient and ranking of ecosystem services are related to the "Qeshm Coast habitat" and then the "Khorkhoran habitat". Therefore, proper management and planning for the utilization and distribution of services in these habitats are of great importance and a priority. On the other hand, the high abundance and diversity of ecosystem services in the studied habitats also indicate the livelihood dependence of forest dwellers on forest resources, which should be considered by planners and decision-makers to protect these valuable resources, on the one hand, and to meet the basic needs of these communities, on the other. Likewise, due to their high tourism potential, Iranian mangrove forests enjoy a high distribution of recreation and nature tourism as one of the most important ecosystem services in this region. Therefore, proper planning can help maximize the use of these services and improve the conservation status of the region, on the other hand.
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