The Importance of Watershed Ecosystem Services with Emphasis on Runoff yield and Erosion Control

Target field:

 Rapid growth of human population and the over exploitation of natural resources leads to the higher demand for ecosystem services which exceeded their supply capacity. Ecosystem services are benefits that directly or indirectly affect human well-being. As ecosystem services are the product of natural systems in interaction with human society, they are essential for economic prosperity, welfare, and human survival.

In this regard, the present paper deals with explaining watershed ecosystem services with emphasis on issues related to runoff generation and erosion reduction in watersheds. In addition to thoroughly reviewing studies conducted with different goals, different classification types of ecosystem services, the used approaches in evaluating these services have been examined. In the following, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) framework in terms of interaction between ecosystem services and human welfare has been described. In addition, the relationship between watershed management and the improvement of ecosystem services is also discussed. Models used in estimating ecosystem services are mentioned and finally a conclusion from the role and importance of runoff and erosion reduction in ecosystem services as one of the important components of watershed response is provided.

The results of literature review showed that the most related studies focused only on a limited number of ecosystem services, and investigating the location of runoff production and reducing erosion and setting it as an ecosystem service is not very evident in these studies.

Given that the issue of runoff and erosion is a serious issue in the world and especially in Iran, therefore, measures to identify factors, control and protect areas prone to runoff, sedimentation and erosion are among the most important national duties and measures in the country. Based on this, by broadening studies and researches and providing methods for quantifying and predicting ecosystem services based on runoff regulatory services and erosion reduction, it is possible to help prioritize and zone areas prone to runoff and erosion to explain management strategies and deterrence.