Application of fuzzy modeling to assess the impacts of recreation on bulk density as a physical factor (Case study: Nour forest park)

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an effective way to protect the natural resources. Due to needs of human to nature and undesirable effects of over-exploitation on the environment including soil, environmental impact assessment process must be applied in determining the goals, studying the basic conditions, also forecasting and estimating the environmental impacts of project implementation. In this study, fuzzy modeling has been used to assess the environmental impacts in Nour forest park. Three regions containing intensive recreation, extensive recreation and control region were selected, and 30 sample plots were then established in the region as random-systematic. The number of tourists and duration of residence in each sample plot were calculated as input indicators and soil sample was considered as output index. Output and input indicators, classification and fuzzy rules were defined based on Mamdany system. Comparing Model’s results with experimental data showed mode’s error is 6% indicating that model accuracy is favorable. The results showed that with increasing the number of tourist and duration, soil bulk density is also increased, and when the number of tourist reaches to 20 people and duration to an hour, maximum soil compaction occur and further increasing of two factors have no effects on soil compaction. The results also indicated that a fuzzy modeling capability is suitable in predicting the effects of recreation activities and determining the capability of region.