Rapid assessment approach of Zarivar international wetland ecosystem services in Marivan County

Recognition and evaluation of wetland ecosystem services and ecological coherence can be effective in the supply and sustainability of services at different levels. In this regard, the current research has evaluated the ecosystem services of Zarivar wetland by using the rapid assessment ecosystem services approach and the millennium ecosystem services assessment framework for the sustainability and development of its services. In order to evaluate the services in four categories of provisioning, regulating, cultural, and support services, the rapid evaluation approach of Ramsar Convention services was used. Data collection was based on interview tools and questionnaires from local experts, experts from wetland-related institutions, and members of environmental associations in the region, 55 of whom were purposefully selected. The Ecosystem Service Index (ESI) was used to compare and score the importance of services. The results showed the positive potential of Zarivar wetland in all 4 categories of services, such that cultural services have the highest positive potential (ESI=0.66) and supporting services (ESI=0.57), regulating services (ESI=0.42) and provisioning services (ESI=0.38) were in the next place. The comparison of services provided at different levels showed that most services were reported locally. The correlation test showed a positive and significant relationship between different wetland ecosystem services, which causes synergy between its services. The results of applying the rapid assessment approach can be used in local and national policy frameworks and decision-making processes.