JOURNAL OF WETLAND ECOBIOLOGY
Year:2013 | Volume:5 | Issue:16|Papers Count:9

Increasing the impacts of human activities has resulted in great pressure even on quite natural areas. Miankaleh wetland as one of the most important wildlife refuges and aqua ecosystems of Iran has witnessed significant impacts on its structure and functions during last two decades. In this regard, it is crucially important to adopt appropriate policies by the aim of sustainable resource management and wetland protection. In this survey, Miankalaeh wetland is investigated from weaknesses and strengths in addition to opportunities and threats points of view. These different aspects of Miankaleh wetland were identified and explored in both present and future conditions and efficient strategically management measures are proposed. In this concern, weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats factors of wetland are grouped, weighted and analyzed through SWOT matrix leading to appropriate strategical measures. Finally, using QSPM matrix strategies were scored. According to the results, in order to meet the need of sustainable resource allocation for tourism, conservation, agriculture and development activities, the strategy of zoning has gained the highest attraction score. By way of contrast, development of integrated pest management activities and controlled fertilizing plans has attracted the lowest score. With regard to importance of sustainable management, wetland conservation, main weaknesses and threats of Miankaleh wetland as well as derived results from strategic analysis, zoning as an optimized resource allocation tool for conservation, tourism, agricultural and development activities is suggested.

Sensitive marine areas have attracted particular attention in biological management aspects because of having special ecological, economic, social and environmental traits. The present research tries to investigate the role of birds for identification of marine biological sensitive areas, as a case study the National Park in Boujagh wetland has been chosen. The method used in this study is an analytical- functional one which is done through selecting the one main criterion and five inferior criteria and after selecting all criteria by means of scoring method (ranking) all criteria would have quantitative value. Based on the above discussed methodology, the area was divided into 33500-ha parcels (Evaluation Unit of 2.2×2.2 kilometers grids). After field observation and interpretation of aerial photos and satellite images the characteristics of each parcel in the form of selected criteria have been analyzed and therefore the information layers were produced in GIS software. The results showed that the bird population in 57.58% of study units is less than 1000 birds and also 33.33% of studied units were in lack of biodiversity and 39.39% of the study units have three threatened species. Total identified birds in study area was 153 species, in which amongst them 21% of species are as Protected Species in National Environmental laws and at least two species belonged to the IUCN Red List.

Hoor-Al azim is one of most important and valuable wetland habitats. Study aimed to identify and determine the abundance of fish in the Hoor-Al Azim marsh during 2011-2012. In order to do this research 3 stations were selected and fish sampling was performedusing constant Gill net with 1.7 to 5cm springs. Results showed that there are 15 species of fish of 3 families in the marsh. Cyprinidae family had13 species and the highest frequency 87.4. Mugilidae and Siluridae Families with one species were present. Carasobarbusluteus species in Rofaye station and Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi species in Taborstation were dominant and in total Carasobarbusluteus, Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi, Aspius varax, Liza abu and Carassius auratus species respectively with 28.7, 24.6, 15.7, 10.8 and 9.9 percent had the highest frequency during the study. The average water temperature, salinity, and pH in the marsh were 20.72oC, 2.07 parts per thousand and 7.28, respectively. In the present study the maximum diversity wasin Rofaye station with 1.93 and the minimum diversity was in Tabor station with 1.63.

Mighan Wetland is located in 15km North-east of Arak, geographic coordinate 49 42 00 to 50 20 00 east longitude and 24 07 00 to 34 41 30 north latitude. 4 times the region was observed during the research.  Basic maps of the regions were studied using ArcGis software. Afterward a comparison and estimation of changes in the wetland were done by using images taken by Liss-III sensor satellite (Indian satellite Resourcesat-1) for 2002 and 2008 and aerial image by Army geography dept. in 1334 by Erdas software. Data gathered regarding qualitative and quantitative conditions of pollutants produced by mining industries in vicinity and beside Sulphate sodium mines were examined; moreover, same examinations were conducted involving discharged wastewater from Arak City into the wetland from southeast. Results were used to identify risk factors threatening the wetland; the factors may be classified into two main groups: related to mining operation and not related to mining operations. By identifying risks roots in mining operations, risk assessment analysis matrix was done based on intensity and risk probability level. Risk assessment analysis matrix is an effective tool for estimating acceptable risk level through establishing a bi-character sensing system to asses risk’s safe level. Moreover, 3D-Melborn method was used to estimate risks of contacting with hazardous factors resulted from mining activities on public based on three parameters of contact, probability and consequences and a set of countermeasures were introduced.Finally, altering processes in the regions through time were used as the basis to predict risks resulted from mining activities. The study has recommendations in order to reduce the hazards resulted from such activities.

The international Gavkhoni wetland is located in Isfahan province and has an area of 470 square kilometers. This wetland is a Grabni hole which has been covered by quaternary sediments. The present study attempts to study climatic changes of north part of Gavkhoni wetland based on chemical (major and trace elements) sedimentology. Evidences of sedimentology include the study of erosion processes as well as the study of sediments such as combination and conditions of sedimentation are among the important evidences of analysis of past climatic conditions. In order to conduct the present study 7 cores ranges 1 to 2 meters were used. Data analysis is based on the geochemical methods to determine the frequency percent of the mentioned elements in each sediment sample for determining the climatic conditions of the region in that specific period of sedimentation. Analyzing four sensitive elements to the change of environmental conditions that is, Calcium, magnesium, manganese and strontium and the proportion of magnesium, manganese and strontium to calcium, revealed some results of changes of environmental conditions. According to the examined samples, a division of past climatic conditions in the region has been achieved. Based on the whole evidences, it seems that in 100 and 140- centimeter sections dry periods and in 60 and 200-centimeter sections, more humid periods have been occurred. In the first 20 centimeters of the sediments that is the closest time to the present time, borderline conditions or semi-dry conditions were observed.

In this research water quality of Kesilian river has been investigated using physical, chemical and hydrological parameters. This study took place during 2009-2010 with four sampling season in four stations respectively in the Sangdeh (stations I and II) and Kesilian (stations III and IV). Sampling was done 3 times in each season. Average temperature of river’s water was 12.65 and average of dissolved oxygen was 7.25. The average value for pH was 7.7 indicating basic property of water. During this study the two parameters of Nitrate and Ammonium were to 0.51 to 1.07 and 0.04 to 0.7 respectively which were of normal range. TDS value was variable from 271.5 to 373.7 mgr / liter. EC value was determined to be 420 micro mohs at most and 346 micro mohs at least, which was normal and appropriate from aquaculture and environmental point of view and without any contaminant. Kesilian River’s water quality was determined excellent based on chemical and physical factors in all of the stations.

Heavy metals are main environmental pollutants that result in pollution of aquatic ecosystems and enter food chain, by different environmental substance such as industrial wastewater and agricultural drains. The sediments are one of the most important parts for storage of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystem. Accumulation levels of heavy metals in sediments rely on many environmental factors, such as size of particles, pH, type and concentration of organic matter and amount of heavy metals in environment. The aim of this research is study of effects of particle size on accumulation of heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd) in surface sediments. Sediments were sampled by Grap sampler from 6 stations in southwestern of Anzali wetland, in summer 1388. The evaluated concentration of metals in particles of 0.063, 0.25, 1 and 2 mm was carried. The average concentration resulted 1.45, 4.44, 39.18, 27.7 and 0.86 for Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu and Cd, respectively. These results showed that concentrations of metals were not upper than global standards, excepting cadmium that was in order of average pollution. As well as results detected significant effect of sediment's size of particles on accumulation heavy metals in particles 0.063 mm; however this effect was not significant in other particles.

In this study non-essential toxic metals concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr in the muscle tissue of fish species consumed in Anzali wetland Esox lucius, Cyprinus carpio, Chaleaiburnus chaleoide were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Maximum metals concentration was in muscle tissue of Esox lucius and the lowest was observed in the Chaleaiburnus chaleoide. the average concentration of lead, cadmium and chromium in the muscle tissue of Esox lucius were 2.56±0.06, 0.23±0.04 (mg/g dry weight) and 1.24±0.11, in Cyprinus carpio were 1.56±0.44, 0.16±0.04 and 0.82±0.11 (mg/g dry weight) and in Chaleaiburnus chaleoide were 1.28±0.30, 0.10±0.09 and 0.52±0.20 (µg/g dry weight) respectively and relation Pb>Cr>Cd was true for all species. Exposure and potential risk exposure resulting from the consumption of fish was estimated according to the USEPA guideline. Metal concentrations compared to WHO standards in both Esox lucius and Cyprinus carpio Pb (0.51 and 0.31 (mg/g wet weight) in our study was higher than WHO standard 0.3 (mg/g wet weight). While obtained content of the chromium and cadmium elements in muscle tissues of all fish was lower than standard level. The results showed that a slightly higher mean maximum daily dose was devoted to the lead element of the Esox lucius which was observed in Anzali Lagoon. The potential hazard of consumption of all species was lower than 1, which indicates that consumption of fish will not threaten any risk for consumers.