Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) ECOPERSIA 2322-2700 12 4 2024 12 01 Impact of Climate Change on The Habitat of the Eurasian Otter in the Southwest of Iran 317 328 17409 DOI: 10.22034/ECOPERSIA.12.4.317 EN Zahra Nazari Msc Student, Department of Environmental science, Faculty of Marine Natural Resource, Khorramshahr University of Marine science and technology, Khorramshahr, Iran Olyagholi Khalilipour Asistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Marine Natural Resource, Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khorramshahr, Iran Mohammad Reza Ashrafzadeh Associate professor, Department of environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran Soheil Saidian Assistant professor, Department of Basic Sciences and General Courses, Faculty of Economics and Management, Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khorramshahr, Iran Journal Article 1970 01 01 Aims: This research examined climate change’s impact on the Eurasian otter’s habitat (Lutra lutra) in Khuzestan Province based on habitat modeling in R regarding climate scenarios and the MRI-ESM2-0 general circulation model. Materials & Methods: 72 points were recorded, and ten climatic and environmental variables were used as inputs for the models. The ROC curve, TSS, and Kappa coefficient were used to assess model accuracy using three different methods. Findings: In the ROC model, AUC 0.7–0.8 indicates a suitable model, AUC 0.8–0.9 indicates a robust model, and AUC > 0.9 indicates a powerful model. In the TSS model,> 0.75 indicates excellent diagnostic power, 0.4–0.75 indicates good, and < 0.4 indicates weak diagnostic power. The Kappa coefficient (0.39–0.98) shows good prediction accuracy. The RF and GBM were the best for determining the habitat of the Eurasian otter in Khuzestan Province. River distance, BIO1, and BIO3 had the most significant role in habitat suitability. A total of 9176.185 km² of Khuzestan Province was identified as a suitable habitat. The prediction of the species’ distribution changes based on SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585 showed that this species’ habitat would decrease until 2070. Conclusion: Climate change significantly affects the distribution of the Eurasian otter. Similar to other studies on animal and plant species, it leads to habitat reduction and alterations in habitat ranges.

https://ecopersia.modares.ac.ir/article_17409_9b816e24fbac7e0fcec9dedf31c14ced.pdf

Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) ECOPERSIA 2322-2700 12 4 2024 12 01 Assessing the Impact of Spatial Accuracy of Digital Elevation Models on Simulating Discharge in Arid Regions Using SWAT Model: A Case Study of the Lar Watershed 329 350 17410 DOI: 10.22034/ECOPERSIA.12.4.329 EN Mahnaz Kiyani Majd Former M.Sc. Student of Watershed Management, Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Water and Soil, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran Mohammad Nohtani Assistant professor, Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Water and Soil, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran Mohammad Reza Dahmardeh Ghaleno Associate professor, Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Water and Soil, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran Zahra Sheikh Department of Combat Desertification, Desert Studies Faculty, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran Journal Article 1970 01 01 Aims: The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) plays a crucial role in the SWAT model and significantly impacts its output results. This study evaluated the effect of different spatial accuracy of DEM in runoff simulation using the SWAT and SWAT-CUP models for the Lar Watershed in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Materials & Methods: This study examines the impact of different accuracies of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) with resolutions of 12.5, 30, 50, 90, 450, and 1000-meters on discharge simulation using the SWAT model for the Lar Watershed, located in an arid region. The model was selected for 30 years (1988-2017), with 18 years for the calibration period and 12 years for validation. The SWAT-CUP software and the SUFI-2 method were used. The model’s accuracy was also evaluated using the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NS), coefficient of determination (R²), r, and p coefficients. Findings: The discharge simulation results reveal that variables such as area, sub-basin, Hydrologic Response Unit (HRU), watershed slope, and mean channel slope are particularly affected by DEM accuracy. With increasing DEM accuracy, the length of the main channels decreases, and lower-order channels are eliminated, reducing the calculated discharge depth. Our sensitivity analysis identified seven key parameters influencing discharge simulation in the Lar Watershed. The most critical parameters were r__CN2.mgt, v__ALpha_BF.gw, and r__SOL_AWC.sol, consistently recognized as highly sensitive in similar studies. Conclusion: During validation and calibration, DEM resolutions of 12.5 and 1000 meters exhibited lower accuracy than those of 30, 50, 90, and 450 meters, suggesting that extremely high or low spatial data accuracy does not enhance simulation accuracy. Additionally, minimal differences were observed among the results for DEM resolutions of 30, 50, 90, and 450 meters. This can be attributed to adjustments in calibrated variable values and the application of the SUFI-2 method across different DEM accuracies. Finally, based on the results of this research, the DEMs with spatial resolutions of 30, 12.5, 50, 90, 450, and 1000 meters demonstrated the best performance for simulating monthly discharge in the Lar Watershed. Additionally, based on the value of the objective function (NS) during the calibration and validation stages, it can be concluded that the SWAT model can simulate the monthly discharge of the Lar Watershed with acceptable accuracy. Therefore, it can be said that the SWAT hydrological model can be used in arid regions to implement management scenarios quickly and at a low cost for decision-making.

https://ecopersia.modares.ac.ir/article_17410_1f7650d12288f6e4a44073eb22ee2edb.pdf

Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) ECOPERSIA 2322-2700 12 4 2024 12 01 Carbon Sequestration of Mediterranean Tree Species in the Zagros Forest of Iran 351 361 17411 DOI: 10.22034/ECOPERSIA.12.4.351 EN Mostafa Moradi Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Khuzestan, I.R. Iran. Gholamhosein Moradi School of Natural Resources & Desert Studies, Yazd University, P.O. Box 89168-69511, Yazd, Iran Journal Article 1970 01 01 Aims: Despite the many studies on carbon stock and sequestration in Iranian forest ecosystems, the effects and role of Mediterranean species on carbon stock in Iranian forest ecosystems are not well known. To our knowledge, no information is available on the carbon sequestration of Mediterranean species in Iran. This study aimed to quantify the surface soil carbon stock of Mediterranean tree species in the Zagros forest. Materials & Methods: To this, ten soil samples were taken under the canopy of Cupressus sempervirens var horizontalis, Myrtus commonis, Quercus brantii, and also bare lands from a depth of 0-20 cm. Soil carbon stocks were calculated in each of the studied treatments. One-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the differences among the studied species and bare land for soil physiochemical properties and carbon stock. Multiple linear regression (MLR) using the stepwise method was performed to define the most critical soil factor for soil carbon stock calculation. Findings: Our results indicated that Cupressus sempervirens represent the highest significant value for soil carbon stock (237.79 t.ha-1). Soil carbon stock in Myrtus commonis and Quercus brantii stands were 122.05 and 91.90 t.ha-1, respectively. Significant differences between Myrtus commonis and Quercus brantii were recorded. The lowest soil carbon stock was recorded in the control site and was significantly lower (27.26 t.ha-1) compared to the other treatments. Compared to the bare land and Quercus brantii stand, Cupressus sempervirens had 872.30 and 258.74 percent higher soil carbon stock, respectively. The higher soil nutrient content under the Mediterranean canopy is due to the higher soil nutrients available. Also, it might be related to the protection made for these species compared to the oak forest. Moreover, soil organic carbon and bulk density represent the best predictors of the soil carbon stock based on the multi-linear regression method. Conclusion: Reforestation/afforestation programs using Myrtus commonis and Cupressus sempervirens should also be considered for carbon sequestration programs in the Zagros forest, where these species could be planted. Moreover, our results demonstrate that using a variety of tree species, primarily Mediterranean species, would be a proper policy for increasing soil carbon stock in the Zagros forest.

https://ecopersia.modares.ac.ir/article_17411_58c02631651a8ffcb2632ab4d96a3da2.pdf

Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) ECOPERSIA 2322-2700 12 4 2024 12 01 Agroforestry Systems in Arasbaran Region, Obstacles and Opportunities for Farmers in Combating with Climate Change 363 377 17412 DOI: 10.22034/ECOPERSIA.12.4.363 EN Sajad Ghanbari Department of Forestry, Ahar Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tabriz, Ahar, Iran Samira Sasanifar Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran Journal Article 1970 01 01 Aims: Climate change significantly threatens food security and environmental sustainability in semi-arid regions, such as northwestern Iran, where declining rainfall and rising temperatures challenge agricultural productivity and resource management. Agroforestry systems, integrating agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry, have emerged as a promising solution to these challenges. This study evaluates the potential of agroforestry systems for enhancing resilience to climate change in the Arasbaran Region of northwest Iran. Materials & Methods: The research assesses the impact of these systems on soil quality, biodiversity, and water resource optimization through a detailed survey of 78 households. Quantitative and qualitative questions were used to collect information from the sample households. The main questions addressed personal characteristics, occupation, farm details, types of species, costs, incomes, types of harvested products, selling methods, changes in species and products over time, and factors affecting production levels. Findings: Results indicate that agroforestry practices, such as integrating drought-resistant tree species with crops and livestock, improve soil health, conserve moisture, and diversify income sources. Despite these benefits, farmers face obstacles, including inadequate technical knowledge, limited access to quality seedlings, and insufficient policy support. Socioeconomic factors such as land tenure and financial constraints further complicate widespread adoption. The study reveals that income increase is the primary motivation for adopting agroforestry, while challenges such as lack of government support and educational gaps are significant barriers. Apple (56%) and walnut (41%) are the most commonly planted species, followed by poplar (20.5%) and sour cherry (15%). The three-year mean household income is 2,185 million rials (SD= 2,382). Conclusion: Overall, agroforestry presents a valuable opportunity for improving agricultural sustainability and resilience in arid and semi-arid regions. Addressing existing challenges through targeted interventions and leveraging traditional knowledge and international examples can enhance the effectiveness of these systems in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

https://ecopersia.modares.ac.ir/article_17412_008a0e182c42176b099db8424e01efb9.pdf

Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) ECOPERSIA 2322-2700 12 4 2024 12 01 Influence of MLSS Concentration and Aspergillus niger on Microbial Fuel Cell Performance and Wastewater Treatment Efficiency 379 389 17413 DOI: 10.22034/ECOPERSIA.12.4.379 EN Mina Sarvary Korojdeh Hakim Sabzevari University Mojtaba Hadavifar Hakim Sabzevari University Noushin Birjandi Lorestan University Roya Mehrkhah Michigan Technology Co., Ltd, Techno B-502, Ulsan Technopark, Jonggaro 15, Junggu, Ulsan 44412, South Korea Qin Li Professor at School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia Journal Article 1970 01 01 Aims: In this study, we evaluated the performance of direct microbial fuel cells using citric acid wastewater as a substrate under different concentrations of MLSS 1000 mg.L-1 and 3000 mg.L-1. Materials & Methods: Aspergillus niger yeast was used as a microorganism over 4 days and nights of this experiment. A Nafion membrane was used for proton transfer, and graphite plates were used for electron transfer. COD removal efficiency, maximum open circuit voltage, power, and current density were evaluated. Findings: The general trend of energy production and removal efficiency showed that energy production increased with increasing MLSS. The maximum of these variables was recorded for MLSS of 3000 mg.L-1, achieving a removal efficiency of 93%, an open circuit voltage of 500 mV, and power and current density of 24345 µW.m-2 and 444 mA.m-2, respectively. Conclusion: Our results showed that the designed MFC suits wastewater treatment and energy recovery.

https://ecopersia.modares.ac.ir/article_17413_dc35d16f1f21e67c18ea9f1f9c16775a.pdf

Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) ECOPERSIA 2322-2700 12 4 2024 12 01 Economic Valuation of Atmospheric Gas Regulation Services through Spatial Modeling ‎in Kerman Province, Iran 391 404 17414 DOI: 10.22034/ECOPERSIA.12.4.391 EN Malihe Erfani Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, ‎Zabol, Iran Fatemeh Jahanishakib Environmental Science Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, University ‎of Birjand, Birjand, Iran Journal Article 1970 01 01 Aims: The absorption of atmospheric Carbon dioxide for Carbon sequestration plays a vital role in regulating the climate. This study aimed to economically evaluate Carbon absorption and Oxygen supply in Kerman Province using ecosystem service modeling. Materials & Methods: Terrestrial Carbon storage was assessed using InVEST software, considering aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, soil, and litter/ dead organic matter. Oxygen supply in the ecosystem was also calculated based on Carbon relationships. The economic valuation of Carbon and Oxygen supply was determined using the social cost of Carbon dioxide and replacement cost, respectively. Findings: In 2021, Kerman Province was estimated to sequester 6,896,182.89 t.y-1 of Carbon and produce 18,481,770.36 t.y-1 of Oxygen. The economic value of Carbon sequestration and Oxygen supply in the Province was calculated at 354,325,877 and 1,686,461,545 $.y-1, totaling $2,040,787,422 in 2021. Conclusion: The economic valuation of Carbon sequestration and the Oxygen supply spatially demonstrate the multiple roles of vegetation cover in the economy, which help maintain and restore it. Economic valuation maps of studied ecosystem services have comprehensive land management and planning applications. Furthermore, they underscore the importance of incentives for long-term Carbon storage to encourage sustainable practices.

https://ecopersia.modares.ac.ir/article_17414_d54a439ba19be7fe2b18622f6e53587e.pdf

Tarbiat Modares University (TMU) ECOPERSIA 2322-2700 12 4 2024 12 01 Effectiveness of Spiral Diverters in Preventing Asian Houbara Power Line Collisions in Abbas Abad Wildlife Refuge, Iran 405 412 17415 DOI: 10.22034/ECOPERSIA.12.4.405 EN Iman Ebrahimi AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society Fateme Kazemi AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society Mohammad Ali Agha Ebrahimi AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society Journal Article 1970 01 01 Aims: Bird collisions with power lines threaten large birds, particularly bustards (Otididae), including the Asian Houbara (Chlamydotis macqueenii). This study evaluates the effectiveness of spiral diverters in reducing these collisions at Abbas Abad Wildlife Refuge, Iran, aiming to develop effective mitigation strategies for vulnerable large bird species in high-risk areas. Materials & Methods: Field observations and stakeholder reports were systematically collected one year before and one year after installing spiral diverters along a 21-kilometer stretch of power lines. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) identified a 7-kilometer segment as a hotspot for collisions, where 450 spiral diverters were installed. Findings: After installing the spiral diverters, no collisions were recorded the following year. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that spiral diverters effectively mitigate collisions for large birds, specifically the Asian Houbara. Future research should focus on long-term monitoring to assess the sustained impact of spiral diverters and explore their effectiveness for other large bird species at risk from power line collisions.

https://ecopersia.modares.ac.ir/article_17415_79d51f4d7e4d54d54b55519c3b462d00.pdf