Land use planning for land management using the geographic information system (GIS) in the Loumir watershed of Guilan province in northern Iran

Land use planning is a science that determines the type of land use through studying the ecological character of the land as well as its socio-economic structure. It is possible to plan for the appropriate use of the land and to enhance the present management of the land use by utilizing Geographical Information System (GIS). To this end, our investigators identified and took steps toward developing maps to determine the ecological and socio-economic resources of the Loumir watershed that encompasses an area of 20884.94 hectares. Digital maps were inputted along with explanatory data into an ArcGIS software application. In addition, all digital maps of layers including, elevation, slopes and aspects, soil texture, depth and structure, geology, iso-hyetal, iso-thermal, iso-evaporation, soil erosion, vegetation or canopy percentage, climate and water resources have been integrated- superimposed in the ArcGIS environment based on the Makhdoom analytical and systematic analysis model. Finally, land use planning maps of the Loumir Watershed were developed considering the ecological and socio-economic characteristics of the area. The results of the evaluation of the area indicated land use appropriateness and allocation as follows: 6.07 percent for level 1 of agriculture, 1.1 percent for level 2 of agriculture, 4.34 percent for level 1 of forestry, 53.31 percent for level 2 of forestry, 11.01 percent for level 3 of forestry, 0.42 percent for conservation, 0.13 percent for level 1 of range management, 6.16 percent for level 2 of range management, 14.71 percent for level 3 of range management, 0.34 percent for aquaculture and 2.41 percent for ecotourism

Modeling of karst and alluvial springs discharge in the central Alborz highlands and on the Caspian southern coasts

Springs are the important water resources, which thier study is necessary in terms of their management and exploitation. In northern Iran, the karst springs locate in the central Alborz highlands and alluvial springs on the Caspian southern coasts.The Karst and alluvial springs discharge is variable because of different conditions in terms of aquifer, topography and precipitation .This study has been done to simulate the karst and alluvial springs discharge and to compare their hydrologic conditions. So, 80 karst springs and 82 alluvial springs were investigated in central Alborz and on the Caspian southern coasts. Two models were presented to simulate the karst and alluvial springs discharge using Multivariate Regression analysis (SPSS software).Then, their efficiency was considered. Finally, the models and the results of regression analyses were compared. The results showed that the most important factors of the karst springs discharge are aquifer formation (its porosity) and site elevation, but about the alluvial springs, the hydraulic conductivity of aquifer formation and aquifer depth are the most important factors

Flood hazard zoning using geographic information system (GIS) and HEC-RAS model (Case study: Rasht City)

Rivers are important water resources for human life, but sometimes cause irreparable damages. The flood plains are fertile terrains which are endangered by flood. Flood hazard mapping is one of the basic methods in flood fighting. In order to decline flood damages, the simulation of the hydraulic behavior of the rivers during flood occurrence is very important. In this study, areas that are flooded were zoned along Siahrood and Goharrood rivers (Rasht City, northern Iran). The rivers bed and banks terrains of Goharrood and Siahrood were simulated using HEC-GeoRAS extension and digital map (scale: 1000). Pick discharges with different return periods were estimated using stochastic analysis. HEC-RAS software and geographical information system were applied for simulating the hydraulic behavior of the rivers and providing flood zoning map. The GIS was an efficient tool for data-processing and mapping stages. Finally, the flood zones associated with 2, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 years return periods were mapped and necessary analysis were conducted during the present research. The results showed that some parts of Rasht City (river bank terrains) are endangered flood hazard

Runoff simulation using SWAT model and SUFI-2 algorithm (Case study: Shafaroud watershed, Guilan Province, Iran)

Reliable estimates of runoff are required as a part of the information sets that help watershed managers make informed decisions on water resources planning and management. This study was carried out in Shafaroud watershed located in the north of Iran. In order to achieve the best runoff simulation in the study area, first rainfall data of four stations during 1998 to 2011 were collected and combined with other maps of the study area, such as Digital Elevation Model (DEM), land use and soil as input data in the form ofSoil and Water Assessment Tools (SWAT) model. After running the model, the Sequential Uncertainty Fitting (SUFI-2) algorithm in SWAT calibration and uncertainty program (SWAT-CUP) were used to evaluate the data uncertainty and the most accurate simulation. The first three years (1998-2000) of rainfall data for warm-up and the next 7 years (2001-2007) for the calibration and final 4 years (2008-2011) were used for the validation period. Finally, with multiple simulations, the uncertainty of the parameters was assessed with P-factor, R-factor, R 2 and NS coefficients. The results of validation period (R ^2=0.85, NS=0.74) confirmed the potential of SUFI-2 algorithm of SWAT-CUP program for simulating runoff data in the study area