1- Department of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
2- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
3- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Lorestan, Khoramabad, Iran
2- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
3- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Lorestan, Khoramabad, Iran
Abstract: (250 Views)
Extended Abstract
Background: Mangrove forests are among the most important and sensitive coastal ecosystems worldwide, playing a fundamental role in shoreline protection, sediment stabilization, local climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities. Owing to their natural capacity for carbon sequestration and mitigation of coastal flooding impacts, these ecosystems possess significant global and regional importance. In recent decades, mangrove forests have been increasingly threatened by a combination of anthropogenic pressures and climate change. Coastal degradation, industrial activities, overexploitation of natural resources, oil pollution, and land-use change, together with rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, sea-level rise, and intensified extreme climatic events, are considered the main drivers of mangrove degradation. In Iran, the mangrove species Avicennia marina is the dominant component of mangrove forests along the southern coasts and holds high ecological, environmental, and conservation value. This species plays a crucial role in sediment stabilization, reduction of coastal erosion, provision of habitats for aquatic organisms and birds, and improvement of water quality. Considering the pressures caused by population growth, economic challenges, limited natural resources, and climate change impacts, the development of effective management programs focusing on conservation, restoration, and afforestation of mangrove ecosystems has become increasingly necessary. Identifying areas with high potential for mangrove restoration and protection is a critical step toward the success of such management programs. The main objective of this research is to identify and prioritize factors influencing the distribution of the A. marina species to support conservation and restoration programs.
Methods: In this study, a comprehensive review of national and international literature was first conducted to identify factors affecting the distribution of A. marina. These factors included climatic, physical, hydrodynamic, chemical, and human-related variables. Following the initial extraction of indicators, a screening process was carried out to select the most influential variables with available and reliable data. The importance of each factor was determined using the Delphi method based on the opinions of experts in natural resources, environmental sciences, and coastal ecosystems. This process involved several rounds of feedback and revision to achieve expert consensus and to quantitatively assign weights to each indicator. Questionnaires were provided to 20 specialists, experts, and researchers in the field of mangrove forests who had a thorough understanding of this region. Based on the opinions of experts, the most important indicators were determined and each was prioritized after determining the weight and importance of the indicators.
Results: In total, 47 indicators influence the distribution of mangrove habitats, originating from both environmental and human factors. These indicators were classified into three main criteria and ten sub-criteria. The main criteria included climate, seawater characteristics, and land characteristics. The ten sub-criteria consisted of precipitation, temperature, tides, humidity, physical land features, wind, evaporation, waves, salinity, and water quality. Weight analysis revealed that these sub-criteria have varying degrees of influence on the distribution of A. marina. At the individual indicator level, factors such as shoreline shape, soil texture and slope, sedimentation rate, and physical characteristics of the substrate exhibited the highest influence, whereas chemical water indicators, such as mean chlorophyll concentration, showed relatively lower importance. Human-related indicators, including coastal activities and land-use change, although less influential than natural factors, were found to affect mangrove distribution both directly and indirectly.
Conclusion: Among the three main criteria, land characteristics were identified as the most critical factor influencing the distribution of A. marina. Among the nine sub-criteria, physical land features played the most significant role in determining suitable habitats. At the indicator level, shoreline shape had the highest impact, while mean chlorophyll concentration had the lowest. By prioritizing and quantifying the importance of influencing factors, the findings of this study can serve as an effective decision-support tool for natural resource managers and planners, enhancing the efficiency of conservation, restoration, and sustainable management programs for mangrove forests. The results can guide the identification of priority areas for afforestation, management of coastal erosion risks, protection of associated species, enhancement of ecosystem capacity, and improvement of ecosystem management strategies. The utilization of these findings enables the development of comprehensive management programs based on ecosystem protection, effective engagement with local communities, optimization of financial and human resource allocation, increased public awareness, and reduction of detrimental impacts of human activities and climate change. Ultimately, the use of this tool in environmental policy-making, restoration project design, educational programs, and integrated conservation measures can contribute to long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability of Iran’s southern coastal regions and provide practical solutions to address human-induced and climate-related threats.
Background: Mangrove forests are among the most important and sensitive coastal ecosystems worldwide, playing a fundamental role in shoreline protection, sediment stabilization, local climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities. Owing to their natural capacity for carbon sequestration and mitigation of coastal flooding impacts, these ecosystems possess significant global and regional importance. In recent decades, mangrove forests have been increasingly threatened by a combination of anthropogenic pressures and climate change. Coastal degradation, industrial activities, overexploitation of natural resources, oil pollution, and land-use change, together with rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, sea-level rise, and intensified extreme climatic events, are considered the main drivers of mangrove degradation. In Iran, the mangrove species Avicennia marina is the dominant component of mangrove forests along the southern coasts and holds high ecological, environmental, and conservation value. This species plays a crucial role in sediment stabilization, reduction of coastal erosion, provision of habitats for aquatic organisms and birds, and improvement of water quality. Considering the pressures caused by population growth, economic challenges, limited natural resources, and climate change impacts, the development of effective management programs focusing on conservation, restoration, and afforestation of mangrove ecosystems has become increasingly necessary. Identifying areas with high potential for mangrove restoration and protection is a critical step toward the success of such management programs. The main objective of this research is to identify and prioritize factors influencing the distribution of the A. marina species to support conservation and restoration programs.
Methods: In this study, a comprehensive review of national and international literature was first conducted to identify factors affecting the distribution of A. marina. These factors included climatic, physical, hydrodynamic, chemical, and human-related variables. Following the initial extraction of indicators, a screening process was carried out to select the most influential variables with available and reliable data. The importance of each factor was determined using the Delphi method based on the opinions of experts in natural resources, environmental sciences, and coastal ecosystems. This process involved several rounds of feedback and revision to achieve expert consensus and to quantitatively assign weights to each indicator. Questionnaires were provided to 20 specialists, experts, and researchers in the field of mangrove forests who had a thorough understanding of this region. Based on the opinions of experts, the most important indicators were determined and each was prioritized after determining the weight and importance of the indicators.
Results: In total, 47 indicators influence the distribution of mangrove habitats, originating from both environmental and human factors. These indicators were classified into three main criteria and ten sub-criteria. The main criteria included climate, seawater characteristics, and land characteristics. The ten sub-criteria consisted of precipitation, temperature, tides, humidity, physical land features, wind, evaporation, waves, salinity, and water quality. Weight analysis revealed that these sub-criteria have varying degrees of influence on the distribution of A. marina. At the individual indicator level, factors such as shoreline shape, soil texture and slope, sedimentation rate, and physical characteristics of the substrate exhibited the highest influence, whereas chemical water indicators, such as mean chlorophyll concentration, showed relatively lower importance. Human-related indicators, including coastal activities and land-use change, although less influential than natural factors, were found to affect mangrove distribution both directly and indirectly.
Conclusion: Among the three main criteria, land characteristics were identified as the most critical factor influencing the distribution of A. marina. Among the nine sub-criteria, physical land features played the most significant role in determining suitable habitats. At the indicator level, shoreline shape had the highest impact, while mean chlorophyll concentration had the lowest. By prioritizing and quantifying the importance of influencing factors, the findings of this study can serve as an effective decision-support tool for natural resource managers and planners, enhancing the efficiency of conservation, restoration, and sustainable management programs for mangrove forests. The results can guide the identification of priority areas for afforestation, management of coastal erosion risks, protection of associated species, enhancement of ecosystem capacity, and improvement of ecosystem management strategies. The utilization of these findings enables the development of comprehensive management programs based on ecosystem protection, effective engagement with local communities, optimization of financial and human resource allocation, increased public awareness, and reduction of detrimental impacts of human activities and climate change. Ultimately, the use of this tool in environmental policy-making, restoration project design, educational programs, and integrated conservation measures can contribute to long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability of Iran’s southern coastal regions and provide practical solutions to address human-induced and climate-related threats.
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