GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH
Year:2014 | Volume:28 | Issue:4 (111)|Papers Count:28

In this research, the applicability of geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) techniques was tested to assess soil erosion risk with the ICONA erosion model. This study was carried out in the Tange Bostanak area because of its variety of diverse landforms, land uses and land covers. The erosion risk assessment phase of this model consists of seven steps that mainly use slope, geology; land use and land cover information. A potential erosion risk map (step 3) was obtained from the slope (step 1) and kissing layers (step 2) generated using a digital elevation model (DEM) and digital geological maps. As a result of this process, the distribution of the erosion risk classes was 28.6% (very low), 36.7% (low), 26.7% (medium), 4.8% (high), and 3.2% (extreme). Land use (step 4) and land cover (step 5) layers derived from Landsat TM image data classification were combined to produce the soil protection map (step 6). During the final predictive phase, soil erodible and soil protection layers were combined to generate the ICONA soil erosion status map (step 7). The final map showed that 8% of the area had high and very high erosive status. These areas especially included hilly and mountainous areas, and excluded the forested parts. The rest of the study area had lower (very low, low and appreciable) erosion status. The present study shows that GIS and RS techniques have an important role to play in soil erosion risk studies.

Due to deep, complex and everlasting interaction between precipitation and climatic elements-factors, there are changes and varieties in both time and space dimensions. So that climate experts and related scientists take their attentions to this phenomenon. An approach to do this kind of investigations is to describe spatial variations based on spatial statistics. In this paper the main object is to introduce principles of spatial statistics as well as describing general behaviors of Iran precipitation along the space. Accordingly daily precipitation of 1437 synoptic, climatology and rain gage stations during 1961/3/21 to 2004/12/31has been used. First of all the Kriging technique has been used to investigate precipitation distribution. In the next step three characters including spatial distribution, spatial correlation and regression models have been done. The results show that central mean has occurred at 34o 41’ N and 50o 58’ E. the spatial variation in central mean is occurred in path of the main systems that bring the precipitation to Iran. Spatial correlation shows 12 KM distance for significant correlation. The best fitted model shows slop and its direction the most affective spatial factors on precipitation.

Tourism was an industry that its development in any region requires sufficient realizing of the issues and affecting factors such as economic, social and cultural factors. Abyaneh have the unique characteristics in environmental, cultural attractions, natural, and the human and religious. If scientific planning and management be use, it will become poles of tourism and center of rural tourism development in the Isfahan province. The major question of this study is «what was the positive and negative impact of rural tourism in Abyaneh? » So the main purpose of research was to analyze strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of rural tourism development in Abyaneh. The research type was the applied-descriptive that data were gathered by survey method. The research instrument was questionnaires that consist of 41 variables. The questionnaire's validity was confirmed by a panel of specialist and faculty members. Reliability was measured after pre-test by Cronbachs alpha and it was 0.72 that was acceptable. Random sampling was used and sample size was included 170 visitors that calculated by Cochran formula. Descriptive and principal component analysis method by SPSS software and SWOT model was used for data analysis. Results SWOT of model showed that the village of Abyaneh despite having the capability to become as regional model for rural tourism had fundamental barriers for meeting this aim. Barriers were such as; lack of health facilities for tourists (0.475 weighting score), lack of suitable introducing and advertising (0.42 weighting score), shortage of trained and specialist persons (0.408 weighting score) and unfamiliarity in people behavior deal with tourist (0.335 weighting score) in weakness component. Also the finding showed that the major strengths were such as; unique architecture and texture (0.3 weighted scores), suitable facilities (0.18 weighting score), attractive historical, ancient and religious sites (0.156 weighting score), and the having local handicrafts market (0.147 weighting score).So, according to finding WT strategy selected as main strategy for future of rural tourism planning in Abyaneh. The findings of study could be used by national and provincial rural development planner, also could directly, contribute to rural tourism development related organizations and institutions as well as to individuals interested, researcher and practitioner.

In this research we have studied Tabriz temperature inversion using radio-sound information, during the 2004-2008 periods in daily, monthly and seasonally scales. Produced data associated with temperature inversion daily of the surface (2 meters) to 700 H. Pa. Several different measures are used, including the height of the base and the height of the top of the inversion, the temperature at the base and at the top of the inversion, the temperature difference across the inversion, the depth of the inversion and pressure of base and top temperature inversion layer. After reviewing the information and data at first days with weak, medium, and intense and very intense temperature inversion conditions were specified. The results indicate that mean annual temperature inversion phenomenon in Tabriz is equal to 191 days, 87% of which is related to the radiation temperature inversion and the remaining 13% is related to the subsidence temperature inversion. In total, 24 days intensity temperature inversion have seen which occurred 17 in winter particularly 12 days during the month of January and 7 days in autumn season. Very intense inversions occasions have mostly occurred during the cold season are radiation temperature inversion. In addition to 70% two stage temperature inversions occurred in winter season particularly in the month of January. Findings of this research have shown that restless to thickness inversion layer, peaked intense temperature inversion when hence difference temperature layer.

In order to provide climatology atlas of frosts statistical properties of Iran and to attain spatial and temporal pattern of it, daily data of minimum temperature of 62 synoptic weather stations for a 15 year-period (1991-2007) from October to May, were adopted from Iran Meteorological Organization. By choosing may 1st as basis day, five statistical properties and their spatial and temporal distribution were extracted and plotted: mean beginning day of frost, mean ending day of frost, average frequency of frost days, average period of frost season and average period of growth season. Spatial configuration of these factors is such that from South to center of Iran which high altitudes are fewer, has regular Western-Eastern configurations, but from center of Iran toward North which high altitudes play more sensible role, this configuration is disturbed and more dependent to altitudes. Therefore, by performing cluster analysis on five statistical properties of frost of Iran, it was observed that we can divide Iran to 6 distinct clusters. These clusters are entitled from A to F. Spatial configuration of these, like five statistical properties, are functions of latitude and altitude. Region of A is southernmost region of Iran, have no frost; and region F, that is located in northwest of Iran, have earliest, latest, longest periods of frost and shortest period of growth season. Thus, configuration of statistical properties of frost at Iran is function of geo-Climate factors and of synoptic systems which were penetrated country.

In this research, temporal and spatial behavior of Siberian high (SH) was studied at the level of 1000 H.Pa. This study has been done using daily data of geo potential height at 12 GMT in NCEP/NCAR database with spatial resolution of 2.5×2.5 degree in a 55 years period including 20089 days from January, 1st, 1951 (Dey, 11th, 1329) to December, 31st, 2005 (Dey, 10th, 1384). At First, the mean geo potential height at 12 GMT is extracted for all days of solar calendar. Then, an agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis on the basis of ward linkage method has been done in Matlab soft ware. According to this analysis six circulation configurations (for cool and warm periods) in the studied level are recognized. The study of spatial behavior of SH in this patterns showed that only in cold (1-2 (and pre-cold (1-1-2) circulation configurations, Westerly tongue of SH passed over north and northeast areas of Iran. The 1-2 circulation configuration which is coincided with the cold period of year, shows maximum activity of SH. The map analysis of circulation configuration of cold period illustrated that spatial configuration of SH depend on configuration of sub polar lows in on hand and Tibet and Pamir plateau on the other hand. On this basis, the role of SH in Iran climate at cold period of year not depend on intensity of this system but depend on intensity of sub polar low and spreading SH and its tongue inward Iran. To identify temporal behavior of SH by selection of a suitable framework, mean of geo potential height at 1000 H. Pa. level is calculated and standardized for each day of solar calendar from 1330 to 1384. Thus, a matrix of size 19724×1 was obtained as Siberian high pressure standardized index (SSHI) that shows positive and negative anomalies (appearance and absence of this system) in each day. The analysis of time series of SSHI showed that index has twofold nature. Comparison between frequency of positive phase occurrence days and negative phase event days in the studied level showed that during recent 50 years the appearance and activity days of SH were definitely more than absence days of this system.

Monte Carlo methods designed base on stochastic reiterations and can be useful in uncertainty conditions. The purpose of this research was investigation of uncertainty to rank desertification indicators. In order to decrease uncertainty have been applied Monte Carlo reiterations for each value of indicator, if rank of Xi is higher than rank of Xk constantly. Using multi dimension integrals the Monte Carlo program was run on JAVA environment. The results of simulation indicated that with increasing Monte Carlo reiterations the standard deviation of alternatives was decreasing. Also results showed that wind erosion, water erosion, land use alterations, biomass loss, canopy decreasing, grazing density and loss of rangelands quality were main indicators affecting desertification process.

The urban space always is a bed for expression of behavior method and repercussions on the public and human activities. Relationship between human and space has appeared in the environment and different scale and extent with society and city. What we know about the world around us and social and physical space as a human? How is the People conception feedback of the environment and surrounding? And whether nowadays landscape and urban spaces in the all dimension acts as the responsible environment? Answer to this questions, and supply the meticulous theory and analysis to city and urban spaces will emphasis this Subject. In this article by using the environment quality indexes and urban design method with choice of «Karaj Edge Stream» and analyzing method of user behavior on this Space we will offer proposals and strategies to urban space development. Therefore the research structure will be based on recognition of literature and landscape, environment quality indexes and analysis and deduction.

Given to the mosaic identity of states around the world, they have experienced different models for good spatial governance. Even now, some states, disrespect of existence and non-existence of potential ethnic tensions, are looking ways of good governance of space and multi-ethnic geography. Until now, five models including: 1.Centralisation, 2.Fedralism, 3.Consociationalism, 4.Decentralisation, and 5. Territorial autonomy have been tested in several countries. In this article, the similarities and differences of these models and their benefits and weak points in application on Iran are analyzed in a comparative perspective. The findings of this article indicate that it is not possible to consider any of them as panacea and their success depends on the historical developments and the process of democracy. About Iran, it is argued that just the decentralization model can be applied and other models are inapplicable on this country on security reasons. But it requires that the law on City Councils to be modified, the mayors to be elected directly by people, the law on Iranian Principle 44 of Constitution to be executed effectively and the structure of budgeting in Iran to be modified in favor the regions. In other words, the local governments in Iran would be empowered.

Ecotourism is compatible kind of tourism. Today, tourism industry has a great role in creating job opportunities and increasing income level. Having unique ecotourism properties (subcategorized under natural parks, jungle and plain, river and lake, waterfall, spring and cave- as one of these attractions, upside-down tulip plains can be named which have a national function) and regarding geographical position, Khansar can play its role in economic, social and cultural fields and can benefit this industry to provide job opportunities and increase the income of it residents. The aim of present study is to investigate ecotourism effects and to analyze the role of aforementioned capabilities in development of the area and creating job opportunities and increasing income. Hence, this study is performed on the basis of statistical data and field observation of attractive ecotourism sites at the peak time of ecotourism and data analysis is carried out through SPSS software. The sample size - according to requirements of minimum sample in descriptive-survey researches- consists of 100 questionnaires filled by tourists and 20 questionnaires filled by officials related to the subject of research.Results: The results of Binomial Test about the effect of Khansar’s ecotourism on job opportunities (10.2) and also on income increase suggest that ecotourism in this city not only has created job opportunities and increased the income in the area; it also shows a correlation between ecotourism and creating job opportunities (Correlation Coefficient 0.59) and income increase (Correlation Coefficient 0.56).

Correct estimates of the risk of erosion at improve land management advice plays an important role. In this study, erosion risk zoning in the Kan basin with area about 20571 Ha in the northwest of Tehran by using the experimental model MPSIAC and geographic information system (GIS) were investigated and by using the base maps and GIS, layers of information were prepared. After collecting, preparing and New layers of information to the GIS environment and integrated layers maximum and minimum special sedimentation were 10.41 and 0.99 ton per hectare per year, special rate sedimentation of total basin 78.72 tons per hectare per year and total sedimentation 50549 tons per year respectively, which is a considerable number and many of the most important reasons is a sensitive constructive regional erosion, soil type area, large basin slope, lack of suitable land using and …. So that the region with high erosion are adjusted based on sensitive constructive and high slope.

In this research the temporal-spatial changing trend of nightly temperatures in Isfahan Province has been studied with the purpose of manifesting temperature changes, recognition of temperature abnormality and comparison for the two methods of pixel and station. On this basis, the data of the minimum temperature average of 21 synoptic and climatology stations were processed in the said province and out of it during the statistical period 1961-2010. After assuring from abnormality of the data by the Software NCSS and MINITAB, and also homogeneity of the data using the tests of succession, Kolmogorov-Simonov and Chi-Square, by programming in Software SURFER, the station data were changed to the pixel data with the dimension of 5×5 km. Then it was used in a matrix with the dimensions of 4260 x 600 and the trend of each pixel was calculated in MATLAB software, using the statistical- Graphic Test of Mann- Kendall in a significant level 95% in monthly and annual scale. In the station method, the missing data were restored by the interpolation method by SURFER software. Then the data trend was studied by the Test of Mann- Kendal, data changes were recognized and their type and time were determined. The obtained results express that during the all months of the year, the positive trend dominated on the negative trend in a manner that in the pixel method it covers more than 41%of the area of the province per month and in the station method more then 12.5 % per month. Concerning the place expansion also the positive trend dominated in low height areas located at east of the province. Considering the drawn graph and equation for befitting line, nightly temperatures of this province is rising and it increased 0.052 per year and 2.6 centigrade degree during the recent half century.

The purpose of the study was assessing rural tourism’s development barriers in Soltanieh, Zanjan province. A descriptive–correlation survey approach was used in this study. The study population consisted of local people, government experts and tourists. Data was collected by eight section closed questionnaire. Reliability and validity of questionnaire were determined by investigating the attitudes of rural development specialists in Zanjan University. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data using Excel and SPSS Win16. Results showed that the region has a high capacity for rural tourism development in historical attractions, natural and cultural area of sustainable development. Based on factor analysis, four most highly ranked items on barriers to rural tourism development in the region were extracted as: weak management and planning, lack of welfare and health facilities, educational and cultural barriers and inadequate investment.

Public spaces, a central role in planning and urban development is major components of an urban environment is healthy and lively. Qualitative and quantitative development of urban public spaces, when appropriate administrative process will be realized, the priority issues in the survey cities, based on modern theories of popular participation (user' 's perspective) and using the scientific method is convenient and efficient. Because the various comments and opinions on city issues and urban priorities there, and decisions must converge in order to cover the broad priorities, the aim of this paper therefore, develop strategies and set priorities survey public spaces city Assalouyeh »Analytic Network Process» (ANP) model. Research in this study - descriptive and analytical studies based on documents - library, field surveys, go directly to the respective organizations and using that tool was a questionnaire study area, including public space parks, streets and markets and seven urban spaces is investigated. Beginning the most important issues related to public spaces using city resources, interviews and questionnaires were extracted, then according to the characteristics of ANP, and features the city Assalouyeh issues, data and basic information classification and therefore the conceptual model of ANP was prepared. ANP-based model of public spaces, including four clusters Assalouyeh City (Criterion/ group) and 14 options (node/ sub-category) using Super Decisions software was produced. Results in the field of software were analyzed. Model outputs to the various ways a variety of text and diagrams, and consideration for all criteria and options are available, hence, due to the sheer volume of operations, the only outlet for some of the examples were given in the article. The results show that the greatest and highest priorities related to social interactions (0.644 normalized optimal space urban clusters), social access (0.625 spikes normalized to the accessibility of public spaces) and consistency (0.415 clusters normalized optimal use of public spaces), with an emphasis on market development of public space the city (Central Division) and the coastal city parks department setting to determine public spaces city development strategies were determined Assalouyeh.