In the regions with hot and arid climate, the wind catchers (Badgirs) not only lower the temperature but also can be considered as a kind of architectural symbol of the region. According to their basic function, which is to cool down buildings in summer, Badgirs usually are located in the nassar (summer seat), behind or beside the south Ivans (verandas). In some cities like Aghda, Ardakan and Meybod, houses have one-sided Badgirs north-faced to catch the pleasant winds.In order to understand the origin and evolution of Badgir in the Yazd-Ardakan houses, the oldest standing houses and monuments of the region have been probed. The houses of Ilkhanid and Timurid era do not have any Badgir in the form and shape that is known today, and the organization of the summer side consists of a narrow and lofty Ivan and a splendid room behind it so called Tanabi. It is necessary to mention that even the monuments belong to these eras did not have originally Badgirs. However, the literary texts of the time emphasized that the elite houses and monuments were equipped with Badgirs. Even in older texts the word Badgir or other words like Badghand, Badkhan, Badghas, which have the same meaning, can be found. But in the Safavid houses of Meybod, Badgirs are later additions. Although the typology of Safavid houses differ from Timurid, original Badgirs cannot be found in these houses.But in the houses of Zand and Ghajar dynasties, Badgirs represent as an outstanding symbol of desert architecture and the townscapes are characterized by the domination of Badgirs.Although the oldest Badgir dates back to the Zand era (Dulatabd monument dated to 1160 Hijri), there exist several cisterns (Abanbars) in this region dated back to 8th and 9th.

Diversity in natural aspects for relaxation, entertainment as well as recreational opportunities associated with walking, sightseeing, camping near wells, qanats, and springs to spend leisure time and to enjoy landscapes, represents the recreational values which can be perceived due to surface water limitations. Recreational value of water includes the benefits derived from those who leave water resources and their attributes intact for others. Areas with groundwater resources (Chack-Chack, Gharbalbiz, Tamehre and Darehghahan) in Yazd- Ardakan plain attract many tourists annually. This study endeavors to determine the recreational value of groundwater resources of Yazd- Ardakan plain and to elicit visitors’ willingness to pay using contingent valuation method. To collect data, a questionnaire with a single-bounded dichotomous choice format was developed in 2009. Results reveal that the total recreational value and the household’s recreational value are 1.38 billion Rials and 11280 Rials, respectively. Considering the weighted mean of WTP, the entrance fee for water-based recreation areas would be 4700 Rials. These estimates provide rational justification for policy makers and managers to support the conservation of water-based recreational areas.

Erosion by wind is one of the most important factors in desert environment. Prevailing winds can shift sand dunes and affect their accumulation. Also, wind regime determines the direction of sand dune mobility. The aim of this research was to investigate sand drift potential using sand movement models. For this research, wind data between 1986 and 2005 from the meteorological station of Yazd were acquired to examine sand drift potential (DP), and erosive storm winds through different methods. The sand drift potential values show that the resultant drift direction (RDD) is from southwest-west towards northeast-east. The unidirectional index value is 0.47. The Yazd–Ardakan plain is under the influence of a low energy wind regime (DP<200 VU). The DP index should be considered for planning and development projects and conservation work. Calculations show that under a low energy wind regime, the amount of sand drift flow is 15.74 m3 m-1 year-1. The angular direction of RDD is 77o, measured clockwise from the geographical north. The trend of sand movement is observed following a clockwise pattern. With regard to the monthly sand rose, it is seen that the resultant drift potential is low in September and October (1.91-2.1) while the highest resultant drift potential occurs in May. The results obtained from the analysis of wind rose data indicated that the direction of prevailing winds in the Yazd basin is generally from west to north-west, and the storm winds have been generally directed northwest, and the frequency of winds of a velocity less than 6 m s-1 (threshold velocity) is 93.79% as observed from Yazd meteorological station.

Sand storm is being considered as one of the major natural disaster in world dry regions and deserts in general, and Iran-arid zone in particular.Ardakan-Yazd plain taking into consideration its geographical location from aridity stand point is being subjected to this phenomenaas well. This in turn, has led to considerable damages. Thus any study toward understanding their very nature, may reduce their destructive impacts.This paper aims to study this phenomenon by selecting 12 different sample storms.Level synoptic maps of the Earth and those associating with 850 and 500 hectopascal were used. Wind direction and velocity, horizontal vision, moisture, temperature, cloudiness, pressure and dust are the prime variables of the study. According to the finding of this study, in low dynamic pressure which accompanies cold front, vertical air movement may result in air instability and subsequent sand storms in the region. One may argue that passage or approaching of a trough accompanied by strong advection of cold air and pressure gradient, may cause sand storms as well.In addition, the existence of pressure gradient between this region and adjacent area could be proved as another reason regarding sand storm event. In the area under consideration, most of the storms and high velocity would blow from west in afternoon during may.

The first step in planning for rural development is the identification of villages’ situation. For allocating funds and resources among villages, it is essential identifying villages in aspect of social and economical development. For ranking villages based on various factors, agriculture, health, infrastructure, political and administrative, communications, services, education and culture, and population. In this study, methods of numerical taxonomic methods has been used with combining the various indicators specify degree of development in lowland villages of Ardakan- Yazd. This study has investigated 48 village of Yazd-Ardakan Plain with full count approach inclusiving guide plan in 2009 and has sorted and grouped according to the present data. The results show that each village can be ranked in different factors that it is not equal with total rank. Villages of Torkabad, Mohammadabad and Befroie have ranks of once to third respectively. Densely populated rural does not have the appropriate degree of development necessarily. These rankings can be used as a base for planning in rural areas.

Drought assessment and monitoring using traditional methods rely on rainfall data, which are limited in arid lands and often is very difficult to obtain near real time and costly. In contrast, remote sensing technology is a method for monitoring of large-scale drought. In this research, drought condition was analyzed using drought indices such as TVDI and NDVI from MODIS sensor data for the Yazd-Ardakan plain, Iran. First, relationship between the drought indices with climatic elements were detected. Coefficient of correlation between TVDI and SPI_6 and SPI_12 were 0. 68 and 0. 71, respectively. Correlation between NDVI and SPI_6 and SPI_12 were 0. 49 and 0. 51, respectively. Point correlation between TVDI and SPI_6 in 2004 (as a normal year), 2007 (dry) and 2012 (wet year), were 0. 64, 0. 78 and 0. 67 and for the SPI_12 in the above-mentioned years were 0. 65, 0. 79 and 0. 69, respectively. In other word, efficiency of the TVDI in 2007 is better than the other two years. Correlation of NDVI and SPI_6 in 2004, 2007 and 2012, were 0. 41, 0. 50 and 0. 56, respectively. The correlation between NDVI and SPI_12 in 2004, 2007 and 2012, were 0. 52, 0. 57 and 0. 59, respectively. TVDI which takes into account thermal and reflective bands, and soil moisture, is more accurate than the NDVI, which considers only amount of vegetation of the study area. Results showed that the relationship between vegetation and temperature is negative, while, the relationship between vegetation and precipitation is positive. Using of TDVI can compensate defects of the NDVI and used for identifying and monitoring drought.