Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Changes in Ecological Sources Identified Using the Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) Method and Ecosystem Services Assessment in the Hyrcanian Forests

Abstrak / Ringkasan

Objective: The issues of loss and fragmentation of forest habitats are significant challenges diminishing the resilience of these ecosystems. The identification of ecological source regions is crucial for enhancing landscape connectivity and building ecological networks. These regions not only provide suitable habitats for species but are also essential in sustaining ecological processes and functions. This study employed a combination of morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and ecosystem service assessment to identify critical locations for sustaining ecological connectivity and providing multiple ecosystem services within the ecological networks. Ecological sources were, thus, identified, and their temporal trends were assessed for the years 2002, 2013, and 2022.Method: In order to meet the research objectives, InVEST software was used to model ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, flood retention, and habitat quality. The results of these models were integrated using the fuzzy weighted overlay method. Subsequently, the core areas that were determined by the MSPA method were integrated with the regions that provided the most ecosystem services. Temporal changes in these areas were then analyzed by examining 20 years of data. To provide a thorough method aimed at locating regions that have not been impacted by human-induced degradation, a set of threat factors were also used in the habitat quality mapping process, in which the use of the Nighttime Light Index and Impervious Surface Index specifically played a pivotal role in identifying high-quality habitats.Results: According to the derived results of the temporal change analysis, it was demonstrated that ecological sources shrank by 29,053 hectares during the study period, and the counties of Abbasabad, Chalous, and Nowshahr witnessed the highest declines. The analysis of land cover changes in 2002, 2013, and 2022 revealed that built-up areas increased by 12,473 hectares and agricultural land by 7,156 hectares, while forest area decreased by 32,723 hectares. Moreover, the results of the morphological spatial pattern analysis indicated that the core class had the largest share in the study area during the period of investigation. The results of this study also illustrated that in 20 years, the habitat quality within the area had declined. The greatest reduction in habitat quality occurred in the northern coastal areas of the study area, which were influenced by human-made land cover and road networks, acting as serious threats to wildlife.Conclusions: According to the results, assessing how multiple ecosystem services are distributed spatially is crucial in effective conservation planning. These findings can play an important role in planning and conserving key patches of the Hyrcanian forests and assist policymakers and managers in the sustainable management of these areas.

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