Ecological security index in the KoozehTopraghi Watershed, Ardabil Province

The present study aims to analyze the ecological security in the KoozehTopraghi Watershed, Ardabil Province, based on the pattern and process-related criteria that cover both land use class and sub-watershed levels. Towards this, firstly, the comprehensive indicator of landscape pattern was calculated via integrating criteria of the splitting index (SPLIT), largest patch index (LPI), edge density (ED), and patch density (PD), and the comprehensive indicator of landscape process was calculated according to the criteria of division (DIVISION), mean patch area (AREA-MN), aggregation index (AI), fractal dimension (FRACTAL), and coefficient of soil erosion intensity (Z). Then, the landscape ecological security index (LSI) was calculated and assessed based on a combination of two main indicators at two levels of class and landscape for 36 sub-watersheds. Finally, the status of LSI was classified into five categories very low, low, medium, high, and very high. It was found that the study watershed has a low level of LSI. Besides, the values ​​of comprehensive indicators of landscape pattern and process were equal to 0.28 and 0.37, respectively. The mean LSI was 0.25. The maximum LSI was equal to 0.78 for sub-watershed 14 (southern part) and its minimum value was calculated at 0.03 for sub-watershed 33 (northern part). Overall, the southern and southwestern parts of the watershed were classified in the high and medium security categories, and the northern parts were classified as very low security. The present results can be used for land use planning, ecological impact assessment, and watershed resource management.