Application Zonitation Based on Ecological Capacity for Area Management in Makidi

Nowadays because of various factors, including inappropriate land use, and indiscriminate exploitation of water resources, soil and vegetation, wide areas of the country were exposed to destruction of lands and desertification. Therefore land use planning based on its ecological capability has a significant role in environmental management and in preventing environmental degradation in the direction of sustainable development. In this study, land use planning for Makidi village (2415 ha) in south of Arasbaran protected area has been conducted. The main objectives of the plan were to promote sustainable use, to increase living conditions, and enhance environmental conservation in the region. First, ecological and socio-economic resources were surveyed and mapped (scale 1:10000). Then data analysis and integration with system analysis approach were performed. As a result, 1571 micro-ecosystems were mapped. Ecological capability of mapping unit was evaluated for aquatic cultivation, dry farming, range management, forestry, ecotourism and conservation with the aid of specified ecological models. Finally with coordination of socioeconomic data and ecological capability of mapping unit, priority of land uses was established. At the end, map of land use planning for Makidi area was depicted for management purposes. The results show that %0.67 of allocated land use is suitable for irrigation farming, %8.49 for dry farming, %26.89 for range management, %13.64 for protected forestry, %0.34 for intensive ecotourism and finally .%49.15 for conservation.