Evaluating the impacts of combating-action programs on desertification hazard trends: A case study of Taybad-Bakharz region, northeastern Iran

Abstract

Abstract In Iran, desertification is usually caused by both nature and humans greedy behaviors such that, more than 75% of the country’s area is dominated by arid zones, and most of the ecosystems are being destroyed due to human activities currently known as the main environmental hazard in Taybad-Bakharz region located in northeastern Iran. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of these measures on the desertification phenomenon generated from climate, soil, vegetation, socio-economic, erosion, and groundwater factors in the Taybad-Bakharz region over the past 40 years (1977–2016). Besides mechanical actions e.g., the establishment of water-saving structures, gabions, and check-dams, a wide array of biological action plans was set out across the prone-regions over the last few years such as vegetation restoration plans utilizing resistant species like Haloxylon persicum and Tamarix spp. Results indicated an ascending trend in desertification hazard (from 2.17 to 2.25) despite the supports devoted to environmental protection and management of desertification. Despite partially stabilized dunes and decreased Aeolian activities, the lack of attention to the anthropogenic activities such as agricultural practices, mining, over-pumping the groundwater resources, overgrazing, etc., either directly or indirectly related to people’s livelihood has led to a rise in desertification hazard.