Amir Naeemi; Gholamreza Pezeshki Rad; Behzad Ghareyazie
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of biotechnology experts in university centers of Tehran Province towards the application of transgenic plants. The study had a descriptive-correlation design and it was carried out through a survey method. The target population consisted of ...
Read More
The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of biotechnology experts in university centers of Tehran Province towards the application of transgenic plants. The study had a descriptive-correlation design and it was carried out through a survey method. The target population consisted of 75 biotechnology experts at university centers of Tehran Province. Using the Kerjcie and Morgan sample size table and a stratified randomized sampling method, 63 experts were chosen as the sample; the research instrument was questionnaire. Face and content validity of the questionnaire was established by using a panel of agricultural extension and education and biotechnology experts. A pilot test was conducted to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. The Cronbach alpha coefficient was estimated at between 0.83 and 0.93 by using SPSS software version 16. Descriptive findings indicated that 44.5% of experts’ attitudes towards using transgenic plants were either ‘positive’ or ‘relatively positive’ and other experts’ attitudes were either ‘negative’ or ‘relatively negative’. Three aspects of transgenic plants that had medium importance were: ecological (mean: 3.40), socio-economic (mean: 3.34) and health-hygiene (mean: 3.12), respectively. The effective educational and extension factor in using transgenic plants was the mass media (mean: 4.26). Also, an important solution for application and development of transgenic plants was the establishment of a research center and incubator. Mann Whitney U test findings showed a statistical significant difference at a 1% level between male and female attitudes towards using transgenic plants. Spearman correlation coefficients showed a statistically significant and positive correlation between the ecological, socio-economic and health-hygiene aspects of transgenic plants with experts’ attitudes towards using these plants. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that the ecological and health-hygiene aspects determined 43.7% of the variations in the experts’ attitudes.
Ali Akbar Taghvaee; Azadeh Pashoutanizadeh; Behzad Vasiq
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
Beside the cities of the Zagros hillsides in which Ilam is located, ecological resources have brought about significant ecological and environmental enhancement as well as ecotourism opportunities. Among these beautiful sites, residential regions play an influential role in creating and developing landscape ...
Read More
Beside the cities of the Zagros hillsides in which Ilam is located, ecological resources have brought about significant ecological and environmental enhancement as well as ecotourism opportunities. Among these beautiful sites, residential regions play an influential role in creating and developing landscape values and this is the question under investigation in this article. This study has been performed through field research and library research through such sources as electronic sites, census data and university theses, map study (of Ilam), with the aim of introducing an ecological design for the region under discussion.
Hajar Hassanshahi; Seyyed Abolhasan Sadati; Abdolmotalleb Rezaei
Volume 7, Issue 2 , January 2010
Abstract
Sustainability in natural resource management is a vital principle in sustainable agricultural and rural development. The main objective of this research is to present the results of a study concerning an analysis of sustainable natural resource management among farmers in Behbahan county of Khuzestan ...
Read More
Sustainability in natural resource management is a vital principle in sustainable agricultural and rural development. The main objective of this research is to present the results of a study concerning an analysis of sustainable natural resource management among farmers in Behbahan county of Khuzestan Province. A survey method was the main approach employed while a stratified-randomization sampling method used to select the samples. Data were collected through questionnaires, from 150 farmers. Results of the analysis show that 30.7 percent of farmers settled in an unsustainable category; 58.7 percent are semi-sustainable and 10.7 percent are sustainable. Multivariate Linear Regression results indicated that the level of a farmer's income through farming, farming experience, number of literate household members, participation in extension and agricultural courses and level of income through non-farming activities explained 83% of variance (R2 = 0.834) in the sustainability of natural resource management through farmers.
Mohammad Mahdi Hosseinzadeh; Reza Esmaili; Ahmad Nohegar; Mahdi Saghafi
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
Population increase and the illogical use of the natural resources of special forest cover have led to natural hazards. The study area is located in the northern Alborz in Chalos, Noshar, Noor and Amol cities and in Mazandaran Provice. In this study, we used the digital numbers from the landsat satellite ...
Read More
Population increase and the illogical use of the natural resources of special forest cover have led to natural hazards. The study area is located in the northern Alborz in Chalos, Noshar, Noor and Amol cities and in Mazandaran Provice. In this study, we used the digital numbers from the landsat satellite TM and ETM+ data for two different dates (summer of 1988 and 2000). First of all, remote sensing images and the processing techniques were used in this study. Then, the images were analyzed using the NDVI index and Tasseled Cap transformations and, finally, the change detection process was studied. This research was analyzed using the trend of total land cover changes, thematic changes in each one and the forest cover area. The findings revealed that the forest cover area that, at the two different dates, it comprised 2719 Km² (total 5121 Km²) and the greatest changes in area had taken place between the two periods in the semi-crowded forest region. Local changes occurred in about 32 percent of the distribution of forest area. Investigations also mentioned show that there are vast changes in the spatial distribution of quantity accumulation, estimated on average at about 3.2 percent. .
Jamileh Pazooki,; Behrooz Abtahi; Farnaz Rezaei
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
During this study, concentrations of Cd and Cr were determined in the muscle and skin of Lizaauratafrom Bandar Anzali. Forty-eight specimens (male:female ration of 24:24) were seined in October 2006 and their tissues were separated according to UNEP’s method (1984). Oven-dried and homogenized samples ...
Read More
During this study, concentrations of Cd and Cr were determined in the muscle and skin of Lizaauratafrom Bandar Anzali. Forty-eight specimens (male:female ration of 24:24) were seined in October 2006 and their tissues were separated according to UNEP’s method (1984). Oven-dried and homogenized samples were digested as per the standard method of AOAC (1995). Concentrations were determined using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The data analysis by a paired t-test showed significant differences between concentrations of Cd and Cr in the muscle and skin of Lizaaurata, with skin showing elevated metal levels. Linear regression analysis showed a significant negative relationship between fish size and the Cr levels in muscle. There was a significant increase in Cr and Cd levels in skin with increased size of the fish. Independent t-test analysis showed that average metal levels in the tissues of female fish were higher than in male fish. This study concludes that the concentrations of Cd and Cr in tissues of Lizaaurata are low and do not constitute a risk to human health.
Baris Majnounian; Meghdad Jourgholami; Mahmoud Zobeiri,; Jahangir Feghhi
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
Reducing the impact of harvesting on residual stand and regeneration is very important, considering the use of close-to-nature forestry for Hyrcanian forest management and the low cutting volume distribution of this method. To obtain these objectives, this research was carried out in 220 compartments ...
Read More
Reducing the impact of harvesting on residual stand and regeneration is very important, considering the use of close-to-nature forestry for Hyrcanian forest management and the low cutting volume distribution of this method. To obtain these objectives, this research was carried out in 220 compartments of Namkhaneh district, in Kheyrud Forest. In order to determine the damage to residual stand and regeneration, 50*50 m systematic sampling with a random start was used. Data of the damage to regeneration and trees were collected in circular plots with 0.01 ha and 0.05 ha after chainsaw tree felling, respectively. Results of the data analysis showed that about 7 % of remaining trees and 23 % of residual regeneration were damaged in the study areas. Also, these researches showed that the amount of damage to the seedlings was smaller than to the small sampling and thicket. Training of tree cutting crews is the most important factor for decreasing residual stand damage after harvesting. The residual stand damage from a cutting operation was studied in an uneven-aged mixed forest to examine the main factors (i.e. tree species, location, size, and type) affecting stand damages. Directional tree felling in a forest stand and using some helping instrument could be useful for decreasing the residual stand damage.
Hadi Veisi; AbdolMajid Mahdavi Damaghani; Houman Liaghati; Hossein Sabahi
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the reasons for and obstacles to adopting IPM Technologies among rice farmers in Mazandaran and Guilan provinces. 170 farmers that attended a FFS (Farm Field School) groups but did not adopt the IPM Technologies were randomly selected. Data were collected by questionnaire and ...
Read More
This study aims to analyze the reasons for and obstacles to adopting IPM Technologies among rice farmers in Mazandaran and Guilan provinces. 170 farmers that attended a FFS (Farm Field School) groups but did not adopt the IPM Technologies were randomly selected. Data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software. To determine the main causes of non-adoption and underline these, factor analysis was used. Results revealed that the main causes of non-adoption of IPM Technologies were financial reasons, farmers' own personal characteristics, risk and vague spheres, management issues, insufficient information and technological questions. These causes were explained with a 58.8% variation. Finally, based on the results obtained, promoting conflict management by focusing on a problem solving approach and institutional development to eliminate obstacles and to promote adoption was suggested.
Mojtaba Rafieian; Ali Asgary; Zahra Asgarizade
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
In an early definition of environmental quality, satisfaction is one of the key criteria by which the extent of environmental quality may be determined - an environment of high quality conveys a sense of well-being and satisfaction to its population through characteristics that may be physical, social, ...
Read More
In an early definition of environmental quality, satisfaction is one of the key criteria by which the extent of environmental quality may be determined - an environment of high quality conveys a sense of well-being and satisfaction to its population through characteristics that may be physical, social, or symbolic. Assessment of the factors leading to satisfaction and dissatisfaction from the residents’ point of view can be used as criterion for the planning and design of urban development projects. This research was undertaken in the Navab neighborhood of Tehran. Data collection was conducted through a field study using a questionnaire filled in by a sample of 270 residents. Data analysis was also conducted using SPSS software. Analysis of the results shows the residents’satisfaction with their houses to be at a mid-level; in the theoretical mode it was estimated to be 3. Factors including the satisfaction with residential units felt by their residents show that full satisfaction was only expressed on the level of security of the residential complex. The factor of "relationships among neighbors" was estimated at a mid-level. Other factors such as the facilities of the residential complex, landscape and view, and the physical significance of the complex were rated with dissatisfaction. The results of factor analysis support this experimental model by high level (89%). This was concluded from a literature review of similar subjects. On a factor analysis of personal and family variables and their impact on satisfaction levels expressed by the residents, none of these variables had any effect.
Elaheh Koolaee; , Mahnaz Goudarzi
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
In recent years, the Caspian Sea has become one of the most important strategic areas of the world. However, in spite of its economic potential, the huge exploitation of its reserves along with an increase of the presence of different industrial plants in the sea have caused many problems for its ecology ...
Read More
In recent years, the Caspian Sea has become one of the most important strategic areas of the world. However, in spite of its economic potential, the huge exploitation of its reserves along with an increase of the presence of different industrial plants in the sea have caused many problems for its ecology and the environment. The Convention of Tehran to protect the Caspian Sea, as a symbol of regional cooperation, has been adopted by the coastal countries in order to limit the increasing trend of destruction of the sea. Littoral states of the Caspian Sea have ratified this Convention, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in saving the Caspian Sea and the necessity of cooperation with related international organizations. This Convention can provide a legal framework to restrict pollution to the Caspian Sea. The fact is that the trend of destruction is faster than the level of environmental cooperation. In this article, by considering the environmental threats for the Caspian Sea, the authors will survey the history and the process of formation of the Tehran Convention. The goal of this article is to identify the capacity of this Convention to decrease the environmental threats to the Caspian Sea.
Hamed Rafiee; Hamid Amirnejad
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
In this study, the effects of education on increasing individual willingness for the conservation of the Caspian Sea have been investigated using a random sampling method and collecting 400 questionnaires in the seaboard provinces in Iran. Five different informative brochures about the ecosystem of the ...
Read More
In this study, the effects of education on increasing individual willingness for the conservation of the Caspian Sea have been investigated using a random sampling method and collecting 400 questionnaires in the seaboard provinces in Iran. Five different informative brochures about the ecosystem of the Caspian Sea and its crucial role in human life were handed to 200 people as intervention group. The control group also included 200 people. Data were analyzed using the contingent valuation method (CVM) and Logit function. Results show a significant difference between the two groups in their willingness to pay (WTP) for conservation of the Caspian Sea environment. Estimation of the Logit model showed that educational intervention has a significant effect on individualWTp < /span>for the conservation of this ecosystem. Each additional brochure with new information increases the probability of a willingness to pay by 0.104 units, respectively. Also, other variable effects are investigated and, among them, education and income were more effective in increasing individual willingness. In the control group, the income variable was more effective. Monthly individual willingness to pay for conservation of the environment in the control and intervention group was estimated at 5370.8 and 8662.3 Rials, respectively. Annual WTP for each household was estimated at about 205594.2 and 3154479.4 Rials in the groups mentioned. According to the results, an increase in information about the importance of the Caspian Sea, lead to a higher WTP for conservation of this ecosystem.
Hamid Reza Sasanfar; Eskandar Zand; Mohammad Ali Baghestani; Mohammad Javad Mirhadi
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
In order to survey the resistance of wild oat populations to clodinafop propargyl herbicide, an experimental study was conducted at the Department of Weed Science, Plant Pest and Disease Research Institute greenhouse in 2008. Treatments included 12 wild oat populations suspected of being resistant to ...
Read More
In order to survey the resistance of wild oat populations to clodinafop propargyl herbicide, an experimental study was conducted at the Department of Weed Science, Plant Pest and Disease Research Institute greenhouse in 2008. Treatments included 12 wild oat populations suspected of being resistant to clodinafop propargyl and a susceptible biotype collected from Fars Province. A dose-response study was conducted for 13 wild oat populations. In this study, wild oat populations were sprayed during the 2–4 leaves stage using eight doses of clodinafop propargyl including 0 to 16 times the recommended dose (64 g ai ha-1). Biomass and surviving plant measurements were performed four weeks after herbicide application. Results of this study indicated that all suspected populations were resistant to clodinafop propargyl herbicide. The comparison of resistance index on the basis of biomass and surviving plants showed that the W/F-M2/85 population from Marvdasht had the highest level of resistance. This population could preserve over 50% more of both biomass and surviving plant relative to the control at 16 times (1024 g ai ha-1) the recommended dose.
Mohsen Sartipipour
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
Today, availability and best use of energy resources is one of important laws of development in countries. The vast reserves and cheapness of fossil fuels in Iran has lead to improper usage of these resources and a failure to use other resources seriously. Unlimited usage of this resource and its smuggling ...
Read More
Today, availability and best use of energy resources is one of important laws of development in countries. The vast reserves and cheapness of fossil fuels in Iran has lead to improper usage of these resources and a failure to use other resources seriously. Unlimited usage of this resource and its smuggling to foreign countries has resulted from this energy policy. An increase in the usage of this fuel created the conditions in which the government, in July 2003, rationed petrol with the aim of saving it. Energy and fuel resources have a variety of usages: in the transportation industry, providing energy for factories and domestic uses such as heating, cooling, cooking and lighting. Because of its natural geographical situation (topology) and vastness, our country enjoys a variety of energy resources in addition to fossil fuels (Sabouhi, 1998) such as wind, tide, geothermal, the sun and its rays (solar) which are renewable energies that can be used with less preparation (Taqzi, 2003). One of these resources which can be found in most villages in our country is biomass, which is the basic source of methane gas and its use for household fuel and producing electricity. Application of alternative energies, which are abundant in Iran, while providing necessary energy in villages can also help to reduce the use of fossil energy resources in the country. This article analyzes the production of energy from biomass resources, a simple design structure and the building of the tanks, and the influences of its usage on the environment, fabric and rural housing. The first part of this paper introduces biogas and experiments of other countries in this field. The second part analyzes the equipment and basic tools which are required for producing biogas, and also important aspects of designing and manufacturing a variety of tanks in villages. At the end, in addition to introducing design principles of the housing unit with a biogas tank, I will analyze the positive influences of ecology on the housing units.
Parviz Zeaian Firouzabadi; Alireza Shakiba; Aliakbar Matkan; Ali Sadeghi
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
This research is committed to providing methodological guidelines for the simulation of urban land use dynamics using GIS, RS and CA models. Urban-CA modeling experiments have been conducted for a medium-sized city (Shahr-e-Kord) in Iran over a thirty-five year time span. Global transition probabilities ...
Read More
This research is committed to providing methodological guidelines for the simulation of urban land use dynamics using GIS, RS and CA models. Urban-CA modeling experiments have been conducted for a medium-sized city (Shahr-e-Kord) in Iran over a thirty-five year time span. Global transition probabilities obtained from the Markov chain model and Unique Conditions Map were derived from WoE. Local transition probabilities were estimated using infrastructural factors by two different probabilistic empirical methods: the WoE approach, based on Bayesian theory; and logistic regression. The final land use transition rules drove an Urban-CA model, built upon basis of stochastic land use allocation algorithms. These Urban-CA models drive a CA model based on eight cell Moore neighborhoods. The simulation outputs were statistically validated according to a new compound method based on a Multiple Resolution Model (MRM). After achieving simulations for the 1999-2002 and 2002-2006 time periods along the whole time series, forecast simulations were carried out up to 2025 (1404) and for various urban planning scenarios. For all simulation periods, the best results were obtained from a combined Markov chain and logistic regression with 0.5 Gama to derive the transition rules. Different simulation outputs for the case study indicate their possible further applicability for generating simulation of growth trends both for Iranian cities and cities world-wide.
Behnam Kamkar; Reza Ghorbani Nasrabadi; Seyyed Majid Alimagham; Tayyebe Ebrahimi
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
Residue management is one of the optimistic options for sustaining agroecosystems. In order to investigate NO3 and NH4 dynamism with the application of soybean and cotton residues incorporated with a silty-clay-loam soil (0-30 cm), an aerobic incubation experiment was carried out using three residue ...
Read More
Residue management is one of the optimistic options for sustaining agroecosystems. In order to investigate NO3 and NH4 dynamism with the application of soybean and cotton residues incorporated with a silty-clay-loam soil (0-30 cm), an aerobic incubation experiment was carried out using three residue treatments (including cotton residue, soybean residue and cotton residue+urea to eliminate immobilization). The residue amount was determined in order to provide 150 Kg ha-1 of Kjeldahl nitrogen after incorporation with soil (this was done using the nitrogen factor method).The samples were incubated for 175 days under a controlled environment at 25 ̊C. The NO3 and NH4 concentration and bacteria, fungi and Actinomycete populations were measured 7, 14, 28, 67, 109 and 175 days after incubation began. The results confirmed microbial activity dynamism during time. Cotton residues revealed a non significant prevalence on soybean residue with respect to cumulative nitrate and ammonia, which were released during the incubation period. In all cases, the cotton + urea treatment was better than both other treatments. These results were not interpretable based on the C:N ratio and the results showed that the lignin content is probably more important than the C:N ratio (lignin percentage of cotton and soybean residues are equal to 0.7-1.6% and 14%, respectively). In this study, the relationship between nitrate and ammonia dynamism with microbial communities have been analyzed.
Somaieh Amirtaimoori; Sadegh Khalilian
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
It has been a controversial issue in recent decades that economic activities may put the environment in serious danger. Some believe that moving toward a healthier (more uncontaminated) and less polluted environment and also uproot poverty requires economic growth. In environmental economy, the relation ...
Read More
It has been a controversial issue in recent decades that economic activities may put the environment in serious danger. Some believe that moving toward a healthier (more uncontaminated) and less polluted environment and also uproot poverty requires economic growth. In environmental economy, the relation between pollution and per capita income, which is the shape of a reverse U, is known as “Environmental Kuznets Curve”, EKC. In this study the application of Kuznets Curve to OPEC countries has come under investigation. For the theory test, CO2 has been employed as a stock polluter. The investigation has been performed using the panel data of the time period between 1985 and 2006. The results of the stationary test have revealed that the variables are non-stationary. Therefore, in order to study the existence of co-integration between variables, a Pedroni test of co-integration has been performed. The results of this test confirmed that a long term relationship existed between the variables. Also, between random effect model and the fixed effect model, the latter was accepted according to the Hasman test and the Kuznets Curve was estimated. The results rejected the Environment Kuznets Curve theory for OPEC countries and, as a matter of fact, the quantity of the CO2 gas disseminated through the environment has constantly increased along with the process of economic growth.
Gholamreza Rowshan; Faramarz Khosh Akhlagh; Saeed Negahban; Jafar Mirkatouly
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
The expansion of urbanisation and the development of cities along with increasing population and expansion of industrial activities and irregular consumption of fossil fuels have given rise to pollution. At the first stage, its consequences impact on citizens in terms of respiratory illness and increased ...
Read More
The expansion of urbanisation and the development of cities along with increasing population and expansion of industrial activities and irregular consumption of fossil fuels have given rise to pollution. At the first stage, its consequences impact on citizens in terms of respiratory illness and increased intensity of heart and lung diseases and, at the second stage, it plays a role in increasing climate fluctuations and environmental impacts. In the current study, two types of data are used in investigating the relationship between parameters and elements. The first data under study are the climate parameters during a statistical period of 51 years from 1952 to 2003, divided into three 17-year periods - a clean period (1952-69), an intermediate period (1970-86) and a polluted period (1987-2003) - whose fluctuations and climate vicissitudes are compared. The second variable or data under study are the type and amount of pollutants in Tehran cityduring 1997 to 2003, taken as an annual average. Totally, after various calculations, the conclusion was that during the polluted period the climate of Tehran has more fluctuations than in the two previous periods and, during the polluted period, the fluctuations of the region were seen in temperature increases, increasing potential for flooding and change in climate towards a warmer and more humid state.
Ebrahim Sharifi Ashorabadi; Mohammad Hossin Lebaschi; Behroz Naderi,; Bahareh Allahverdi Mamaghani
Volume 7, Issue 1 , October 2009
Abstract
The effects of water deficit on the yield and essential oil percentage of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) were investigated at the Alborz Research Center (Karaj, Iran). The treatments were irrigated based on total accumulated evaporation from a class A pan, namely at the rate of 30 mm (mild stress), ...
Read More
The effects of water deficit on the yield and essential oil percentage of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) were investigated at the Alborz Research Center (Karaj, Iran). The treatments were irrigated based on total accumulated evaporation from a class A pan, namely at the rate of 30 mm (mild stress), 60 mm (medium stress), 90 mm (severe stress), full irrigation (no stress) and no irrigation (dry farming). The treatments were analyzed in a completely randomized blocks design. Data from three years were analyzed using a combined analysis method. For each treatment, the soil moisture content was measured by the weighing method (daily) before and after applying irrigation treatments based on the above mentioned rate of evaporation. The amount of water required for each treatment was measured by a current meter. The combined analysis of data gathered from the experiments revealed that the effect of the rate of water deficit stress, years (through varying metrological conditions) and also the interaction between them had a significant impact on the biomass, flower yield, harvest index and essential oil percentage of this species. The comparison of means showed that, in the first year, flower yield was 1169.70 kg/ha significantly different from the third year. The full irrigation treatment (no stress) produced the maximum flower yield of about 1360 kg/ha with no significant difference in comparison with the mild stress treatment. The effect of interaction between the years of experiment and the rate of induced stress level indicated that a full irrigation treatment in the second year produced the highest yield of 2551 kg/ha. The highest harvest index (ratio of flowers to biological yield) was observed under mild stress, particularly in the first year (22.01%). The highest essential oil percentage extracted from flowers was obtained under the severe stress treatment in the first year (0.58%), which is significantly different from other treatments.The experiment showed that full irrigation and severe stress reduced yield and essential oils. But mild and medium stresses increased flower and essential oil percentage.
Amin Rastandeh
Volume 6, Issue 4 , July 2009
Abstract
This paper investigates basic and fundamental criteria concerning greenway planning in the mountainous regions in West of Iran to suggest a special re-organization pattern for the outskirts, suburban, and natural areas of nearby urban settlements based on the local context. The paper makes an effort ...
Read More
This paper investigates basic and fundamental criteria concerning greenway planning in the mountainous regions in West of Iran to suggest a special re-organization pattern for the outskirts, suburban, and natural areas of nearby urban settlements based on the local context. The paper makes an effort to represent the most important factors in a special suburban-mountainous greenway which may be appropriate in relationship with local cultures, history, and people's essential needs. To introduce the related fundamental criteria, and local and regional factors, the author demonstrates the necessity of such research in Iran and presents a brief literature review about the greenway movement in the West. This indicates that there is a great gap between research on greenways in the West and Middle Eastern countries in general, and in Iran in particular. As a result, the research focuses on an Iranian context and identifies general characteristics of the geo-morphological, physical, spatial, social, cultural, and ideological categories in the West of the country. In the present paper, the author will focus on mountainous and semi-mountainous regions in Iran to suggest the most important and essential greenway planning criteria for people's recreation in suburban areas at weekends. To present an appropriate answer, the author attempts to pose suitable environmental planning to prepare an active and pleasant time for families based on environmental awareness and, at the same time, to conserve natural resources and valuable landscapes by means of environmentally attractive approaches. To achieve the main research targets, the qualitative attitude and descriptive-analytic methods were the selected research strategy.
Babak Jafari Salim; Gholamreza Nabi Bidhendi; Amir Salemi; Masoud Taheryioun; Mojtaba Ardestani
Volume 6, Issue 4 , July 2009
Abstract
Comprehensive information and knowledge about the quality of water resources plays a very important role in preservation plans for water resource management. One of the engineering methods used to assess river water quality conditions without mathematical and statistical complexity is water quality indices. ...
Read More
Comprehensive information and knowledge about the quality of water resources plays a very important role in preservation plans for water resource management. One of the engineering methods used to assess river water quality conditions without mathematical and statistical complexity is water quality indices. In this method, different water quality parameters are analyzed and interpreted in a river water quality assessment study. It is one of the most important parts of river quality monitoring plans in which the qualitative indices are converted to a single and dimensionless number. Water quality classification is undertaken on the basis of the value of the indices comparing with a predefined rated scale. In this study, a monitoring plan is achieved for the 18 stations located along with Gheshalgh River in Kurdistan province in Iran. Water quality assessment has been conducted using two NSF quality indices of general water use and the British Columbia index for drinking and agricultural consumption. Based on the results obtained from these indices, water of this river has the worst quality due to agricultural use downstream of the wastewater treatment plant of Sanandaj city. Its condition is degraded up to the discharge point of Morghe Par slaughterhouse due to the assimilation capacity of the river. In this location water quality is acceptable for drinking purposes and most of the stations have appropriate conditions except for Dare Kuleh and the downstream station which are on the border. Results indicate that the degree of influence of urban pollutant sources such as entry of urban wastewater and also of a landfill leachate brook is high, especially in the Gheshlagh bridge area up to the tributaries.
Naser Mehrdadi; Gholamreza Nabi Bidhendi; Shahin Mohammadnejad
Volume 6, Issue 4 , July 2009
Abstract
In this paper, six methods of water pinch analysis are introduced to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Although, these methods can be used in some industries which generate single contaminant during their processes, otherwise all contaminants can be considered as a single contaminant, ...
Read More
In this paper, six methods of water pinch analysis are introduced to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Although, these methods can be used in some industries which generate single contaminant during their processes, otherwise all contaminants can be considered as a single contaminant, but actually it is impossible. On the case of multiple contaminants, we can apply pinch analysis by using mathematical programming methods. While graphical methods are unusable in the most situations, some researchers such as Wang and Smith, Gomez and James G. Mann, have developed their methods to cover the multiple contaminant problems. However, more applicable results may be achieved by using mathematical methods as discussed in relation to the Tan and Yee methods. Among the methods considered, Gomes’ mass transferring network is the most satisfactory for use in most industries. This method can be used for both single and multiple contaminant problems.
Farzin Fardanesh
Volume 6, Issue 4 , July 2009
Abstract
This study focuses on the role of men and women in watershed management. It triec-to clarify of the priorities and needs of the rural population as well as how the rural population perceives the problems in development of their village. Five counties in Mazandaran Province were studied. These are located ...
Read More
This study focuses on the role of men and women in watershed management. It triec-to clarify of the priorities and needs of the rural population as well as how the rural population perceives the problems in development of their village. Five counties in Mazandaran Province were studied. These are located in the Bobol, Talar and Siah Rivers watershed. Six most populated villages were selected for survey, each representing a county. Close to 30% of the total rural population lives in these six villages. Some 100 questionnaires were filled for both male and female respondents in each selected village to yield a total of 600 questionnaires by a survey team who were native students of Mazandaran Province. The study has revealed that, despite being in a fairly developed part of the country, the rural population in the study area has a moderate income and a high rate of illiteracy. In this area, women play a significant role in watershed management. Income generating possibilities in this area are not fully exploited. For example, beekeeping is practiced but is not widespread and forest products are seldom sold. On average most respondents would prefer a loan of less than Rls 5 million. Many respondents preferred monthly installments while others preferred annual or semi-annual installments, probably due to the agrarian economy. As a first priority for receiving financial assistance, most of the respondents mentioned ways to generating more income and creation of employment opportunities. Some 52% of priorities were related to living expenditure, About 31% mentioned expanding existing buildings as a priority. Asked about the problems they perceived to be challenges in development of their village, the villagers demonstrated a remarkable awareness of environmental concerns as well as social problems such as gender inequalities. Certain precautions can be accordingly made for a more effective intervention.
Mohammad Yazdi; Narges Behzad
Volume 6, Issue 4 , July 2009
Abstract
Seyab River, which crosses Southwest of Tehran to Islam Shahr (10km), is an extremely important river that is in contact with a population of about one million. Freshly deposited seasonal sediments were collected from depths of 0–20 cm at 4 locations (1 to 4) along the 10-km long channel length, ...
Read More
Seyab River, which crosses Southwest of Tehran to Islam Shahr (10km), is an extremely important river that is in contact with a population of about one million. Freshly deposited seasonal sediments were collected from depths of 0–20 cm at 4 locations (1 to 4) along the 10-km long channel length, in the spring season of the year 2008. There is no water during the summer to the autumn seasons, with the lowest content in winter and the highest content in spring. Hence, the sampling was carried out during spring. In this research, 12 sediment samples, 9 plant samples and 8 water samples were collected from Seyab River and its periphery. The samples were analyzed by AAS for Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mg, Na, K, Ca, Cd, Se and HCO3-, CO3-2, Cl-, SO4-2. The concentrations of Ag, Hg, As, were less than the detection limit for all samples. Data processing shows the average concentrations of Cu, Cr, Zn, Mg and Ca were higher than the upper continental crust background levels. Se was at 174 times and Cd at 220 times the said level. Islam Shahr has been newly developed during the past 15 years, thus such high contaminations during such a short period are a cause for concern. Anthropogenic impacts, industrialization, farming activities, transport, urbanization, animal and human excrement and domestic wastes have affected the river, contaminating it and its sediments with heavy metals especially Se and Cd.
Gholam Hossain Kiani
Volume 6, Issue 4 , July 2009
Abstract
Water is a valuable and scarce production factor in the agricultural sector of Iran. At present, water resources are allocated by the government agencies, based mostly on socio-political criteria instead of economic measurements. Administrative water resource management has resulted in an inappropriate ...
Read More
Water is a valuable and scarce production factor in the agricultural sector of Iran. At present, water resources are allocated by the government agencies, based mostly on socio-political criteria instead of economic measurements. Administrative water resource management has resulted in an inappropriate water allocation and water use, as water use efficiency is reported about 36% in the agriculture sector now. Recently, the water market has been introduced as an alternative mechanism to an administrative manner for increasing water use efficiency in several developed and developing countries. Water is transferred from low to highest marginal return use and consequently water use efficiency increases in the water market. This paper estimates potential gains of implementing agricultural water market in Saveh region by using a mathematical programming model. Results show that water trade among 24 villages in this region can increase farmers’ profits, particularly during a water scarcity period. Also, a water market can increase labour demand and mitigate negative impacts of water scarcity on employment. Additionally, results show that the transaction costs must be declined to broaden the water markets.
Nasserali Azimi
Volume 6, Issue 4 , July 2009
Abstract
The management of ecotourism sites is a very important issue not only for environmental organisations, but also for many governments around the world. This concern is based on the need to balance the notion of sustainability of the environment with economic sustainability. Since successful management ...
Read More
The management of ecotourism sites is a very important issue not only for environmental organisations, but also for many governments around the world. This concern is based on the need to balance the notion of sustainability of the environment with economic sustainability. Since successful management of ecotourism will create the conditions for sustainable development of the environment and the economy, both at local and regional and at micro and at macro levels. This paper considers some management issues and approaches associated to tourism and ecotourism development to single out the best practice available for developing countries such as Iran. It is also the starting point to make comparisons with other developed and developing countries.
Azita Belali Oskui; Mohammad Ali Keynejad
Volume 6, Issue 4 , July 2009
Abstract
According to Gibson's ‘ecological perception’theory, the physical universe is made up of various areas each of which covers and hides the other one and it is only possible to perceive these areas at the time when one is obliged to move around in the environment. The author calls these areas ...
Read More
According to Gibson's ‘ecological perception’theory, the physical universe is made up of various areas each of which covers and hides the other one and it is only possible to perceive these areas at the time when one is obliged to move around in the environment. The author calls these areas “spatial areas” of the environment. Since no human movement is possible without the passing of time and, given the close relationship between time and place conceptions in modern science whereby time is regarded as the fourth dimension of 3-dimensional space, it is conceived that if one is still (i.e. not moving) but observes the passing of time one will understand different areas of environment that we call the “chronological areas”of an environment. A close relationship is perceived between the Jung unconscious and ‘chronological areas’ that have given great simulation to spatial areas. This research indicates that the unconscious has the ability of free movement in spatial and chronological areas. In this article, the author aims to explain the conceptions of spatial areas, ‘chronological areas’ and a combination of these using an experimental approach.
