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    • List of Articles شاخص حساسیت محیط زیستی

      • Open Access Article

        1 - Comparison of Effectiveness of NOAA and IMO Methods for Identification of Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Coastal Areas of Sistan and Balochestan Province along the Gulf of Oman
        Lida Davar Afshin Danehkar
        Coastal areas are the confluence of interaction between earth, large bodies of water and atmosphere.  It is constantly affected by natural motion and human interference in the balance of nature.  Generally speaking, everywhere in the world coastal areas are ve More
        Coastal areas are the confluence of interaction between earth, large bodies of water and atmosphere.  It is constantly affected by natural motion and human interference in the balance of nature.  Generally speaking, everywhere in the world coastal areas are very resourceful and provide better condition for human habitat, and therefore, attract human populations and become centers for civic developments.  As a result of excessive use, and in some cases abuse of the resources by human beings, adverse conditions develop and cause a decline in coastal areas ecosystem such as; mangroves, coral reefs, cliffs, beaches, tidal flats and estuaries.  Such condition makes it imperative to draw urgent attention for protection and rehabilitation of coastal areas. In current research the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) of NOAA and the Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) method of IMO were applied to the region under consideration. These methods are credible and worldly accepted for such investigations, in particular where pollutant source include petrochemical materials.  The result of study utilizing Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) and External Factor Evaluation (EFE) matrices of the Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) way of analysis indicated that both methods produce acceptable results with scores above 3.0.  However, weighted scores of NOAA method, using both IFE and EFE matrices, came out somewhat higher than those for IMO method, and considered better choice for application in the coastal areas of Siatan and Baluchestan province. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        2 - Introducing Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Guidelines-Developed by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
        Lida Davar Afshin Danehkar Borhan Riazi
        Coastal areas are very vulnerable for pollution. Despite the fact that such areas are benefiting from verity of biological resources of marine and inland systems, they are exposed to destructive threats from both systems. Nowadays, one of the main sources of threat is t More
        Coastal areas are very vulnerable for pollution. Despite the fact that such areas are benefiting from verity of biological resources of marine and inland systems, they are exposed to destructive threats from both systems. Nowadays, one of the main sources of threat is the large probability of occurrence maritime accidents that caused oil spill. Therefore, identification of sensitive coastal areas and its protection against pollutants such as petroleum products has become a priority for coastal countries. The purpose of this research is to introduce a guideline for mapping of Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI), as a tool for identification of coastal areas, sensitive to oil spill, developed by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of United States of America. The goal of such identification is timely response to oil spill and cleanup process for protection of the various coastal ecosystems. In past few decades, Environmental sensitivity analysis and mapping projects have been carried out in many Countries, along thousands of kilometers of shoreline around the world, primarily as a part of national efforts to establish a knowledge-based response system to spilled oil that may affect the coastline. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        3 - Assessment of physical sensitivity of coastal fringe of Miankale Wetland based on Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI)
        R. Nezakati B. Behrouzirad S. Malmasi F. Esmaili
        Miankale coastal area is located in southeastern part of Caspian Sea. The area, which contains GorganGulf and Miankale Wetland, is recorded as an international wetland in Ramsar Convention. It has high potential for tourism activities. Moreover, the increasing trend of More
        Miankale coastal area is located in southeastern part of Caspian Sea. The area, which contains GorganGulf and Miankale Wetland, is recorded as an international wetland in Ramsar Convention. It has high potential for tourism activities. Moreover, the increasing trend of economic development, especially oil activities in adjacent countries reveals the necessity of management and conservation of these coasts. The aim of this study is management of the coastal area by applying NOAA models and Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI). Physical sensitivity division of coasts has been done based on field surveys and using satellite images and Geographical Information System (GIS). The assessment of physical factors including wave energy, slope and bed substance in the region under study showed that the western parts of Miankale coasts are categorized in the forth class of NOAA classification and the central part of these coasts is regarded in 9B class. Gomishan, Khajeh Nafas, Chalasht and Gorgan Gulf2 are classified as 10D according to NOAA classification. The results of this study indicated that not only physical diversity, including geomorphologic characteristics and the bed substrate of these coasts, is low but also there are sensitive biological resources in the region. For these reasons, if oil pollution occurs, pollutants may remain in coastal areas for a long time. Therefore, more attention should be paid to manage the coastal areas in this region.  Manuscript profile