Mohammad Koohani, Javad Behmanesh, Vahid Rezaverdinejad,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (5-2025)
Abstract
This study examines the changes in the area and water quality of both permanent and seasonal wetlands over 34 years, highlighting their sensitivity to climate change and human activities. Wetlands, vital for regulating the water cycle and supporting biodiversity, have seen a significant decline in area and water quality in recent decades. Satellite images from Landsat 5, 7, and Sentinel-2, with high spatial resolution, were used to generate land use maps, processed with ArcGIS Pro and ENVI software. The analysis utilized advanced techniques such as SVM, Markov, and CA-Markov models. Water quality data from 2021 to 2024 in permanent wetlands were analyzed, focusing on parameters such as TSS, NO₃, PO₄²⁻, pH, TDS, COD, BOD₅, and EC. The results indicate a notable increase in water bodies and orchards, expanding from 348.77 km2 in 1990 to 634.20 km2 in 2024, with a predicted rise to 722.90 km2 by 2030. Conversely, rangelands decreased from 1,498.13 km² in 1990 to 1,037.06 km² in 2024, and are expected to further decrease to 938.30 km² by 2030. Rainfed lands remained relatively stable, while seasonal wetlands exhibited more fluctuations than permanent ones. The study also revealed that seasonal wetlands like Yadegarlu and Taleghan experienced significant reductions during dry years, whereas permanent wetlands such as Agh-Gol and Dargeh-Sangi showed greater stability. These findings underscore the importance of effective water resource management and planning, particularly during drought periods, to ensure the protection and sustainability of wetlands..
