University of KashanDesert Ecosystem Engineering Journal2538-63364220230101Evaluating the Effects of Vegetation Types on Surface Temperature and Surface Moisture Using Satellite-Based Indices11411293610.22052/jdee.2023.240421.1072ENMohammad HosseinMokhtariAssisstant professor Faculty of Natural resources Yazd University, Yazd, IranSetarehMoazzamMsc Student Faculty of Natural resources Yazd University, Yazd, IranAsgharMosleh AraniAssociate professor Faculty of Natural resources Yazd University, Yazd, IranHamid RezaAzimzadehAssociate professor Faculty of Natural resources Yazd University, Yazd, IranGholamhosseinMoradiAssisstant professor Faculty of Natural resources Yazd University, Yazd, IranJournal Article20210105As evaluating the influence of vegetation types on soil surface moisture (SSM) and soil surface temperature (LST) is crucially important, especially in semi-arid regions, this study set out to do so using remote sensing data. To this end, the vegetation types together with their extent of coverage in the study area were determined via the physiognomic-floristic method. In this regard, taking the results of field observations into account, eight types of vegetation were recognized and the zonation was performed.
Moreover, LST and SSM were calculated using the data collected from Landsat 8 on May 24 and July 27, 2017, followed by the evaluation of SST and SSM measurements by comparing them to the measurements made based on field studies (R<sup>2</sup>>0.6). Then, at each vegetation zone, the influence of vegetation types on the SSM and the SST was statistically analyzed.
Duncan's statistical test showed significant differences between the mean temperature (α=0.05) in all vegetation types, except for the <em>Artemisia aucheri-Pistacia atlantica</em> and <em>Artemisia sieberi–Ebenus stellata-Cousinia desertii</em> in the first period of the study and the <em>Cynodon dactylon</em> and <em>Amygdalus scoparia-Pistacia atlantica</em> in the second period of the investigation.
However, SSM differences were found to be insignificant between <em>Artemisia sieberi–Amygdalus scoparia</em> and <em>Amygdalus scoparia</em> vegetation types in the first period of the study, and between <em>Amygdalus scoparia</em> and <em>Cynodon dactylon</em> vegetation types in the second period of the study. On the other hand, most vegetation types exerted a considerably varying influence on SST and SSM. Nonetheless, in both study periods, the temperature and moisture variations did not follow the same patterns in different vegetation types.https://jdee.kashanu.ac.ir/article_112936_271493825a08e76aad47b6b257ed5acd.pdfUniversity of KashanDesert Ecosystem Engineering Journal2538-63364220230101Valuing Recreation Ecosystem Services in Jebalbarez Natural Park Using the Regional Travel Cost Method152611361410.22052/jdee.2023.231561.1065ENAzamKhosravi MashiziDepartment of Ecological Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran;MohsenSharafatmandradDepartment of Ecological Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Iran.Journal Article20200516Considering the significant role of natural parks in providing an appropriate recreational services for the increasing population worldwide, this study sought to examine the recreational value of Jabalbarez Natural Park (located in Jiroft, Kerman province, Iran) using the regional travel cost method. To this end, a questionnaire was administered to 198 visitors of the Park who were randomly selected, enquiring them regarding their socio-economic status and their opinion about the Jabalbarez Natural Park. The results indicated that the education level (R<sup>2</sup>=0.546, p<0.001) and income (R<sup>2</sup>=0.863, p<0.001) had significant positive effects on people's willingness to pay for the entrance fee of the Park, with 74.2% of the respondents expressing their approval to pay the entrance fee. Moreover, it was found that the willingness of the respondents to visit the Park decreased significantly with an increase in the distance from the Park and the travel costs (R<sup>2</sup>=-0.571, p<0.001). The results of estimating the recreation demand function of the park also showed that travel costs, income level, age, and education level of the visitors exerted a significant influence on the number of visitors (p<0.01).
On the other hand, the annual recreational value of the Jabalbarez Natural Park was estimated as 12536089250 Rials by calculating the subsurface of the recreational demand curve. Jabalbarez Natural Park in Kerman province is less known to Iranian people than similar areas in the country. Therefore, this study revealed the importance of paying attention to recreational management and development in the area.https://jdee.kashanu.ac.ir/article_113614_d695fc9846aca44945bb6293772223d9.pdfUniversity of KashanDesert Ecosystem Engineering Journal2538-63364220230101Evaluating the Effectiveness of Ackerman's Algorithm in Monitoring Dust Storms: A Case Study of Ilam Province, Iran273611361510.22052/jdee.2023.242098.1073ENRahmanZandiAssistant Professor in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, IranAbouzarNasiriAssistant Professor in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems, Firouzabad Institute of Higher Education, Firouzabad, IranJafarSalehiGraduated from Larestan Azad University, Master's degreeJournal Article20210220Determining the spatial distribution of dust storms in sedimentary areas is essential for forecasting and controlling these natural-manmade hazards. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the efficiency of Ackerman’s dust detection technique and the normalized difference dust index (NDDI) in identifying dust storms in Ilam province using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor images taken on 12/08/2015 and 02/09/2015. To this end, the data regarding the dusty days in five meteorological stations were collected and analyzed to examine the status of dust in Ilam province using climate data and remote sensing. Moreover, an output dust map was used for the images based on numerical values. On the other hand, dust areas were identified by applying thresholds related to each algorithm. Finally, the accuracy of Ackerman’s technique and the NDDI was determined using PM<sub>10 </sub>pollution monitoring stations in the five stations mentioned above.
The results showed that the algorithms used in this study could detect particulate matter: the Ackerman algorithm was more efficient in detecting dust, while the NDDI algorithm was only applicable for separating clouds from the ground. Furthermore, a low correlation was found between the NDDI and the terrestrial data (0.15). In other words, it was found that from among the two techniques, Ackerman’s dust detection technique obtained a higher correlation (0.35) with terrestrial data than did the NDDI (0.15), indicating the high capability of the algorithm in detecting the dust phenomenon. Therefore, it could be argued that dust storms can be modeled and simulated with high accuracy via Ackerman's algorithm.https://jdee.kashanu.ac.ir/article_113615_adf8c1f579aacbcc93d8ae4db82112c8.pdfUniversity of KashanDesert Ecosystem Engineering Journal2538-63364220230101Assessing the Plans Designed to Combat Desertification Using Statistical Analysis of Satellite Images: A Case Study of Kashan Plain, Iran374611365110.22052/jdee.2023.248369.1083ENZahraEslamianPhD Student in Combating Desertification, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, IranFatmehPanahiDepartment of Combating desertification, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, IranAbbas AliValiDepartment of Combating desertification, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, IranSayyed HojjatMousaviAssociate Professor of Geography and Ecotourism Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, IranJournal Article20220928<strong>Abstract</strong><br />Seeking to combat desertification as a major environmental hazard, especially in recent decades, experts have offered some projects to be implemented in this regard, trying to reduce the destructive effects of the phenomenon. Therefore, assessing the projects implemented in this regard can help improve the management of desertification and the adoption of relevant appropriate decisions in the future. This study, thus, set out to compare the alterations made in the vegetation of the Kashan plain as a result of the implementation of five desertification combat plans using statistical techniques and the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series of Landsat satellite collected from the 2003 to 2020. The study’s results indicated that the average NDVI index in the studied areas increased following the implementation of the plans. On the other hand, the results of examining the trend of the NDVI index time series showed that vegetation density within the plain had an increasing trend throughout the study period. However, it was found that from 2008 to 2010, the trend changed in all five series, with positive trends being created or reinforced when the projects to combat desertification were carried out. Therefore, it can be concluded that the projects have at least increased the vegetation density, creating a positive trend with a gentle slope.https://jdee.kashanu.ac.ir/article_113651_57fbade83afc0fce4e179f74f3d94cc9.pdf