Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Abouzar Nasiri ¹
• Najmeh Shafiei ²

¹ Assistance Professor of GIS & RS, Firouzabad higher education center, Shiraz university of technology, Fars, Iran

² Postdoctoral student, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Geodiversity is a fundamental term for determining the importance of nature's abiotic resources, therefore, the expansion of studies related to geodiversity is of great importance, especially in Iran.With its karstic landforms, Fars Province possesses numerous geomorphodiversity capabilities. Accordingly, the aim of the present study is to investigate the geodiversity of the Noorabad Mamasani watershed in the west of Fars province, which is located in the geographical area of 51o 15/ to 51o 46/ east longitude and 29o 55/ to 30o 17/ north latitude. It has unique features such as waterfalls, caves, narrow gorges, karst valleys and natural arches, etc.
Methods: In order to evaluate geodiversity potentials of the study area, we used geodiversity index (GDI), per-area roughness density (PRD), Simpson’s evenness index (SIEI), Shannon’s evenness index (SHEI), Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI), Simpson’s diversity index (SIDI), roughness density, modified Simpson’s diversity index (MSIDI), and modified Simpson’s evenness index (MSIEI).
Results: Results of GDI, PRD, SHDI, SIEI, SIDI, SHEI, MSIDI, and MSIEI in Unit 1 (i.e., Tang-e-Buan) were found to be maximal (i.e., equal to 12.7, 0.031, 1.56, 0.76, 0.87, 0.84, 1.5, and 0.93, respectively). Unit 3 in the western part of the watershed finished second while Units 2 and 4 were ranked 3rd and 4th, respectively.
Conclusions: The value of GFI in the central, western, and northern parts of the study area was evaluated at about 9.11, 11.04, and 7.5, respectively. That is, as one moves from the south to the north, the geodiversity decreases.

Keywords

• Geodiversity
• GDI
• tourism
• 7 metrics of Fragstsase
• Nourabad Watershed

Main Subjects

• Geomorphology