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Degradation model: a quantitative EIA instrument, acting as a decision support system (DSS) for environmental
1Department of Environmental Planning & Management, Faculty of Environment, The University of Tehran, P.O. Box 14155-6135 Tehran, Iran.
Environmental Management
|June 8, 2002
Summary
A new degradation model (DM) aids environmental impact assessment (EIA) by quantifying land degradation. This decision support system (DSS) identifies areas suitable for development, crucial for effective resource management.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Economics
Background:
- Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental economics alone struggle with quantitative decision-making and cumulative impacts.
- Existing decision support systems (DSS) lack comprehensive mathematical analysis for complex environmental problems.
- Decision-making in Iran faces challenges due to the need for quantitative measures and consideration of cumulative impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate a novel degradation model (DM) as a decision support system (DSS) for environmental impact assessment (EIA) in Iran.
- To provide quantitative measures for identifying degraded areas and assessing their suitability for further development.
- To address limitations in existing EIA and decision-making frameworks by integrating knowledge-based systems and environmental economics.
Main Methods:
- Applied a degradation model (DM) across three provinces in Iran (1996-2000), dividing the study area into 100 km(2) grids.
- Calculated a degradation coefficient (H) for each grid to represent the degree of land degradation.
- Utilized a fuzzy set theoretic approach to classify degradation coefficients, identifying critical and non-critical areas for resource allocation.
Main Results:
- Computed degradation coefficients for 1333 grids, indicating varying degrees of land degradation across the study area.
- Classified grids based on degradation levels, revealing that only 24% of the study area is suitable for further development.
- Provided decision-makers with a quantitative framework for resource allocation and planning based on land degradation status.
Conclusions:
- The degradation model (DM) effectively functions as a knowledge-based decision support system (DSS) for environmental impact assessment (EIA).
- The model successfully addressed persistent decision-making challenges in Iran by providing quantitative insights into land degradation.
- The degradation model (DM) offers a transferable framework for environmental management and development planning in other regions facing similar issues.