Environment and Interdisciplinary Development

Assessment of Environmental Hazards and Vulnerability of The Rud–E-Shur, Rud-E-Shirin and Rud-E-Minab International Wetland Using the DPSIR Model

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hengameh Safa Eisini 1
Saber Ghasemi 2
Afshin Danehkar 3
Mohsen Dehghani Ghanateghestani 1
Hossein Parvaresh 1

1 Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran

2 Marine Environmental Reaserch Center, Bandar Abbas Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bandar abbas, Iran

3 Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/envj.2024.454483.1370
Abstract
Introduction: Mangrove forests in Iran are spread over about 11,000 ha and in the shores of the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea, between 25º 11 to 27º 52´ from Goatar Bay in Sistan and Baluchistan province to Bardkhon in Bushehr province. These forests are valueable due to the having sensitive biophysical resources, breeding important and biodiversity. At the same time, they are in the rank of one of the most important marine sensitive areas and need proper management. The purpose of this study is to assess the risks of mangrove forests in the international wetlands of Rud-e-Shur, Rud-e-Shirin and Rud-e-Minab using the DPSIR model.
Materials and Methods: Based on the studies of existing documents, as well as the opinions and experts, environmental hazards were identified in the investigation of Driving Forces, Pressures, State, Impacts and Responses models. Finally, using the Delphi phase, out of a total of 78 factors threatening of wetland, a total of 30 environmental risks were identified and prioritized. At the second stage, the intensity of the effect, the probability of occurrence and the sensitivity of the environment accepting the specified risks and threats are scored in five categories: very high, high, medium, low and very low (in the numerical range of 1 to 5) and finally using the method TOPSIS and TOPSIS Solver software were rated.
Results: The results of the study showed that 30 risky factors including 24 human and 7 environmental origin cases; put living and existence of International Wetland into danger and risk. 5 threat indicators with human origin include population growth, human activities, excessive harvesting of ecosystem services, aquaculture, and management weakness; 2 threat indicators with environmental origin include drought and climate change have been prioritized. Based on the results of risk factors rankings, human and aquaculture activities were identified in particular order with 0.912 and 0.648 coefficient as two intolerance ranks among threat indicators factors in the international wetland. Also, oil smuggling, destruction of habitat, and transmission of shrimp farming effluent into Wetland, was classified as 1, 0.87, 0.75 respectively, ranking in the first to third risk factors.
Discussion: According to the amount of Cli, two factors of oil smuggling and destruction of habitats are categorized in intolerable risks. Two factors of the transfer of wastewater from shrimp farms to the wetland and water pollution are categorized at the noteworthy category, as well as the countless traffic of vessels inside the lagoon and the creation of shrimp farm channels in the estuaries leading to the lagoon are in the category of tolerable risks, respectively, in the first to sixth priorities, which require control measures to reduce environmental risks. In order to protect the studied international wetland, it is necessary to promote public information about the ecological characteristics and effects of the wetland in the environment of the province, as well as the threats facing them through public education. Educating everyone about the necessity and method of protecting the environment of wetland and the effects of neglecting its destruction, drafting laws, regulations, criteria and executive standards regarding fuel smuggling, along with the appropriate executive guarantee of the government and finally the organization's forecast. Implementation guidelines and mechanisms to include environmental considerations in the country's development plans are the pillars without which the desired goals cannot be achieved.

Keywords

Mangrove
Vulnerability
DPSIR
Rud -E-Shur
Rud -E-Shirin and Rud -E-Minab International Wetland
Oil Smuggling

Subjects

  1. Akram, H., Hussain, S., Mazumdar, P., Chua, K.O., Butt, T.E. and Harikrishna, J.A., 2023. Mangrove health: A review of functions, threats, and challenges associated with mangrove management practices. Forests, 14(9), 1698-1708.
  2. Baheri, B., Dashti, S. and Mokhtari, S., 2024. Analysis of Factors Affecting the Vulnerability of Arsbaran Protected Area and Development of Management Strategies Using the DPSIR Model Journal of Geography and Environmental Hazards, 12(4), 27-51 (In Farsi).
  3. Blasco, F., Aizpuru, M. and Gers, C., 2001. Depletion of the mangroves of Continental Asia. Wetlands Ecology and Management, 9, 255-266.
  4. Bull, E., Cunha, C.d.L.d.N. and Scudelari, A., 2021. Water quality impact from shrimp farming effluents in a tropical estuary. Water Science and Technology, 83(1), 123-136.
  5. Clement, C.R., Levis, C., Franco-Moraes, J. and Junqueira, A.B., 2020. Domesticated nature: the culturally constructed niche of humanity. Participatory Biodiversity Conservation: Concepts, Experiences, and Perspectives, 35-51.
  6. Cui, L., DeAngelis, D.L., Berger, U., Cao, M., Zhang, Y., Zhang, X. and Jiang, J., 2024. Global potential distribution of mangroves: Taking into account salt marsh interactions along latitudinal gradients. Journal of Environmental Management, 351, 119892.
  7. Danehkar, A., 1998. Iran's marine sensitive areas. Environment Quarterly, 24, 28-38 (In Farsi).
  8. Dashti, S. and Karimipoor, F., 2023. Environmental hazard assessment of Gomishan International wetland using conceptual framework DPSIR and TOPSIS. Journal of Natural Environment Hazards, 75(Special Issue Coastal and Marine Environment), 46-63 (In Farsi).
  9. Dehghanipour, and Mashayekhizadeh, A., 2015. Investigating the current situation and threats to the largest forest reserve and threats to the largest mangrove forest reserve in Iran. Paper presented at the The third national conference of student scientific associations of agriculture and natural resources, Agriculture and Natural Resources Campus of Tehran University.
  10. Duke, N.C., Meynecke, J.O., Dittmann, S., Ellison, A.M., Anger, K. and Berger, U., 2007. A world without mangroves? . Science, 317, 41–42.
  11. Ebua, V.B., Agwafo, T.E. and Fonkwo, S.N., 2011. Attitudes and preceptions as threats to wildlife conservation in the Bakossi area, South West Cameroon. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 3(12), 631 -636.
  12. Faseyi, C.A., Miyittah, M.K. and Yafetto, L., 2023. Assessment of environmental degradation in two coastal communities of Ghana using Driver Pressure State Impact Response (DPSIR) framework. Journal of Environmental Management, 342, 118224.
  13. Friess, D.A., Chua, S.C., Jaafar, Z., Krauss, K.W. and Yando, E.S., 2021. Mangroves and people: Impacts and interactions. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 248(107155).
  14. Ghanbaranjad, A.H., Rezaei, H.R. and Ghasemi, S., 2016. Analysis of the spatial structure of the international wetland of the mouth of the Shur River, the Shirin River, and the Minab River in terms of the richness of aquatic and coastal birds. Animal Environment, 9, 127-134 (In Farsi).
  15. Ghasemi, S., 2011. Comparing the dependence of waterbirds and waders populations on two types of mangroves and determining the correlation coefficients of bird diversity and density to micro and macro climates of mangrove habitats. Retrieved from Hormozgan Provincial Office of Department of Environment:
  16. Habibi, A., Hedayati, A. and MousaviSabet, H., 2023. The Environmental Impact of Shrimp Aquaculture on the Coastal Pollution and the Human Health (Iranian Coast). Journal of Marine Medicine, 5(2), 99 -108 (In Farsi).
  17. Habibi, K., Khalili, A., Hemmti, G. and Veysi, S., 2021. Correlation Analysis of Population Spatial Movements and Environmental Challenges in Iran. Geography and Urban-Regional Planning 11(41), 81-112 (In Farsi).
  18. Hosseinzadeh Monfared, S., Tohidianfar, Y., Ahmadnia Mutlaq, H. and Ahmadi, M., 2007. Mangrove forests; its distribution, importance and threats in Iran. Paper presented at the The first regional conference on inland aquatic ecosystems of Iran.
  19. Izadian, M., Hosseini Tayefeh, F. and Ghasemi, M., 2022. Trend of Bird Population Changes and Diversity of the International Wetland of Rud-e-Shur, Rud-e-Shirin and Rud-e-Minab Deltas. Journal of Aquatic Ecology, 12(1), 59-79 (In Farsi).
  20. Izadian, M., Hosseini Tayfeh, F., Qayyomi, R. and Rayegani, B., 2021. Investigating biodiversity and providing conservation-participatory solutions for the wetlands of the Shoor, Shirin and Minab rivers. Study project on the protection of wetlands in Iran. Study project on the protection of wetlands in Iran. Retrieved from Environmental Research Institute, Department of Environment. Iran (In Farsi).
  21. Izadian, M., Hosseini Tayefeh, F. and Rayegani, B., 2023. Threats to the Biodiversity of the International Wetlands of Roud Shur, Shirin and Minab Mangroves and Providing Participatory Conservation Solutions. Journal of Marine Science and Technology, 22(4), 96-114 (In Farsi).
  22. Jafariazar, S., Sabzghabaei, G.R., Tavakoly, M. and Dashti, S., 2018. Assessment and Management of environmental risk of Salty, Sweet and Minab Rivers International Wetlands on the basis of multi-criteria decision-making methods. Journal of Spatial Analysis Environmental Hazards, 5(4), 65-88 (In Farsi).
  23. Khorazian, P., 2018. Fuel smuggling and environmental security, hidden economy. Analysis of the headquarters to combat goods and currency smuggling, 11(38-42 (In Farsi)).
  24. Mafi-Gholami, D. and Jaafari, A., 2023. Investigating the exposure of mangrove forests of the southern coast of Iran to multiple hazards. Journal of Natural Environment Hazards, 75(Special Issue Coastal and Marine Environment), 121-137 (In Farsi).
  25. Malekmohammadi, B. and Jahanishakib, F., 2017. Vulnerability assessment of wetland landscape ecosystem services using driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) model. Ecological Indicators, 82, 293-303.
  26. Menéndez, P., Losada, I.J., Torres-Ortega, S., Narayan, S. and Beck, M.W., 2020. The Global Flood Protection Benefits of Mangroves. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 4404.
  27. Mokhtari, A., Vliallahi, J., Mohammadi, S. and Khodami, S., 2011. Assessment of environmental effects of shrimp farm complex Goater in Chabahar. Journal of Wetland Ecology, 3(9), 15-21 (In Farsi).
  28. Moslehi, M., 2022. The effect of different cropping intensities on vegetative and reproductive characteristics of mangrove forests in Khamir region. Retrieved from Research Project. AREEO:
  29. Mowgli, M. and Rahespar, S., 2018. Investigation of the environmental effects of shrimp farms in Tiab Hormozgan. Studies in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, 5(15), 1-14 (In Farsi).
  30. Naskar, M., Tasneem, S.N., Mazumder, S., Mitra, C. and Datta, D., 2023. Mangroves as coastal rainforests: imminent threats, hazards, and changing status of ecosystem services,” Biological and Environmental Hazards, Risks, and Disasters”. In Biological and Environmental Hazards, Risks, and Disasters (Second Edition) (pp. 335-357).
  31. Noraei Sefat, E., Bakhtyari Kia, M. and Akbarian, M., 2023. Investigation of Soil Loss Changes with an Emphasis on Runoff Erosion in the Kol River Catchment. Environmental Erosion Research, 13(1), 70-95 (In Farsi).
  32. Pal, S. and Paul, S., 2020. Assessing wetland habitat vulnerability in moribund Ganges delta using bivariate models and machine learning algorithms. Ecological Indicators, 119, 106- 119.
  33. Pirali Zefrehei, A.R., Hedayati, A., Pourmanafi, S., Beyraghdar Kashkooli, O. and Ghorbani, R., 2019. Environmental vulnerability assessment of Choghakhor International Wetland during 1985 to 2018. Wiley, 39, 49-60.
  34. Quevedo, J.M.D., Lukman, K.M., Ulumuddin, Y.I., Uchiyama, Y. and Kohsaka, R., 2023. Applying the DPSIR framework to qualitatively assess the globally important mangrove ecosystems of Indonesia: A review towards evidence-based policymaking approaches. Marine Policy, 147, 105354.
  35. Rahbani, M., Ranjbari, M. and Ghaderi, D., 2016. Field Investigation on Distribution of Suspended Sediment and Bed Grin Size on Tiab Estuary during One Tidal Cycle. Hydrophysics, 2(2), 79-89 (In Farsi).
  36. Rahimi Blouchi, L. and Malekmohammadi, B., 2013. Environmental Risk Assessment of Shadegan International Wetland Based on Ecological Indicators Journal of Environmental Studies (JES), 39(1), 101-112 (In Farsi).
  37. Rahman, R.A., Ceanturi, A., Tuahatu, J.W., Lokollo, F.F., Hulopi, J.S.M., Permatahati, Y.I., . . . Wardiatno, Y., 2024. Mangrove ecosystems in Southeast Asia region: Mangrove extent, blue carbon potential and CO2 emissions in 1996–2020. Science of the Total Environment, 915, 170052.
  38. Rayegani, B., 2016. Monitoring of Hormozgan mangrove forest changes in the past three decades and prioritizing of degraded ecosystems in order to carry out restoration projects. Retrieved from Department of Environment: College of Environment:
  39. Safa Isini, H., 2015. Environmental management of mangrove forests in Tiab Vakalahi area based on habitat structure and evolution. Master's Thesis, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas Branch, 86 p. (In Farsi),
  40. Salarpour, R., Malekian, M. and Ghadirian, O., 2021. Monitoring changes and ranking threat factors of Miangharan wetland, Khuzestan Province. Journal of Natural Environment Hazards, 74(1), 83-95 (In Farsi).
  41. Simoncini, R., 2011. Governance objectives and instruments, ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation: the Chianti case study. Regional Environmental Change, 11, 29–44.
  42. Sobhani, P. and Danehkar, A., 2023. Assessment of environmental hazards and vulnerability of Hara protected area using DPSIR model. Journal of Environmental Hazard Management, 10(3), 215 -232 (In Farsi).
  43. Spalding, M.D., Blasco, F. and Field, C., 1997. World Mangrove Atlas. Retrieved from Okinava, Theinternational Society for Mangrove ecosystem:
  44. Spalding, M.D., Kainuma, M. and Collins, L., 2010. World Atlas of Mangroves (version 3.1). Retrieved from London (UK): Earthscan, London: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781844076574
  45. Susetyaningsih, R., Suntoro, S., Gunawan, T. and Budiastuti, M.T.S., 2020. Impact of shrimp pond waste on water quality (case study of Trisik Lagoon in Yogyakarta). Paper presented at the AIP Conference Proceedings.
  46. Van der Stocken, T., Wee, A.K.S., De Ryck, D.J.R., Vanschoenwinke, B., Friess, D.A., Dahdouh-Guebas, F., . . . Webb, E.L., 2019. A general framework for propagule dispersal in mangroves. Biological Reviews, 94(4), 1547–1575.
  47. Wardrop, D., Hamilton, A., Nassry, M., West, J. and Britson, A., 2019. Assessing the relative vulnerabilities of Mid‐Atlantic freshwater wetlands to projected hydrologic changes. Ecosphere, 10(2), 1-30.
  48. Weißhuhn, P., Müller, F. and Wiggering, H., 2018. Ecosystem Vulnerability Review: Proposal of an Interdisciplinary Ecosystem Assessment Approach. Environmental Management, 61, 904–915.
  49. Yaghoubzadeh, M., Salmanmahiny, A., Mikaeili Tabrizi, A. and Danehkar, A., 2022. Prioritizing Environmental Hazards of Mangrove Forests in Hormozgan Province. Journal of Natural Environmental Hazards (JNEH), 10(30), 69-82 (In Farsi).
  50. Zahirinia, M., Rastegar, Y., Nikkhah, H. and Bahrami, S., 2017. Qualitative analysis of the socio-economic consequences of the phenomenon of smuggling of fuel in Minab city. Strategic Research on Social Problems, 6(4), 19-34 (In Farsi).
Environment and Interdisciplinary Development
Volume 9, Issue 85
Autumn 2024
Pages 64-82

Home

Submit Manuscript

Contact Us