Multiple assessment of sustainability in desert ecosystem (Case study: Mehriz region of Yazd)

Research Topic: Investigating the sustainability of deserts based on international natural indicators is one of the central issues in the process of destruction of arid and semi-arid regions and is of great importance in research. Human factors with significant effects on desertification are considered an important factor in land degradation.Objective: The present study aimed to conduct a multiple assessment of desert ecosystem sustainability in Mehriz County, Yazd Province.Method: Among the widely used sustainability measurement models are the Sustainability Barometer and Amoeba. We implement the Sustainability Barometer and Amoeba methods using 2 dimensions of ecosystem welfare in terms of the value of food produced by vegetation for human communities and the ability of vegetation to retain water, and the human welfare dimension in terms of income generation and social relations.Results: By examining the counties of Ernan, Mehdiabad, and Ebrahimabad, the impact of ecosystem well-being on overall sustainability is greater than human well-being, because the better location and climatic conditions have brought about better vegetation cover. It is noteworthy that in Ebrahimabad, human well-being is so low that it is in a state of potential instability, which is not compatible with the overall sustainability of this region. Also, in Fakhrabad and Bahaduran, the impact of both human well-being and ecosystem well-being on overall sustainability is almost the same.Conclusions: The results of this study showed us that the impact of human and social factors on the growth of desertification and the control of these indicators in the world are of great importance to prevent the increase in the spread of this phenomenon. It can also be noted that the applicability of the results due to greater depth in fewer indicators for organizational planning. Of course, it is worth noting that due to the elimination of some indicators, limitations are created in macro-decision-making by society and the government sector.