Evaluation of the Recreational Power of Vergavij Forest Park in Noshahr and Chalus Area

Evaluation of ecological potential for different land uses is an effective step in assessing environmental or land use planning. Site selection for a park is subject to ecological capacity assessment and economic and social needs of the area. In this study, a systematic analysis method was used to overlay maps of resources in order to evaluate the recreational potential of the Vergavij area located in the southern part of Noshahr and Chalus cities with an area of 6650 hectares. Firstly, the slope, direction and elevation maps were used. Topography of the area was plotted on a scale of 1: 25000. Then, by merging them, a map of the Earth was formed. By mapping the shape of land - soil classes and vegetation, environmental units were mapped. Finally, comparing the units with the local tourism model, the map of centralized and extensive recreation was obtained. The socio-economic status of the villagers was also identified through face-to-face interviews. The results showed that the study area lacks centralized recreation class; 78.2% of the area has the potential of different types of recreation, as 45.4% of the area has first-degree broad-leisure potential and 32.8% has second-degree of centralized recreational potential. Also, 21.8% of the area had no recreational potential which was considered as a protected area of the park.