South-central Iran Research Articles

Temporal dynamics of inundation area, hydrochemistry and brine in Bakhtegan Lake, South-Central Iran

Study regionBakhtegan Lake, southern Iran, is a “Wetland of International Importance” (Ramsar Site). Study focusThis study focuses on analyzing the time series of the lake's inundation area, identifying factors contributing to its shrinkage, and studying its hydrochemical characteristics. To map the inundation area, Landsat images from 1972 to 2019 were used and 64 water samples were collected from the lake during 2017–2019 for geochemical modeling. New hydrological insights for the regionThe study reveals that the Bakhtegan Lake has become a seasonal lake with a long-term dry state since 2007. The lake's inundation area shows a significant correlation with the Kor River discharge, and the main reason for the lake's shrinkage is a decrease in river inflow due to over-exploitation in the basin and construction of two new dams since 2007. The lake water and brine below the lake bed have TDS concentrations varying between 70000 and 451000 mg/L and 118000–373000 mg/L, respectively. The Gibbs, Na-normalized ratio end-member diagrams show that the lake water chemistry is mainly controlled by evaporation. The saturation index indicates that brine samples were in an equilibrium state with gypsum, halite, and glauberite. The Spencer diagram and evolutionary pathway model suggest that water samples shifted toward natural sulfate-rich minerals during evaporation. The lake water evolution model predicts precipitation of halite, kieserite, and carnallite minerals during progressive evaporation.

Potential Seed Dispersal by Persian Wild Ass in South Central Iran

Seed dispersal plays a pivotal role in plant ecology, impacting various aspects such as dispersal, reproduction, and population dynamics. In this study, we investigated the endozoochoric seed dispersal by the onager or Persian wild ass (Equus hemionus onager) in Qatrouiyeh National Park, located in south-central Iran. Fecal samples were collected from three plains within the park over three seed production seasons. A subsequent greenhouse experiment was conducted to identify and quantify the germinated seedlings. We discovered a total of 63 plant species across 45 genera and 21 families, with the majority of species categorized as annual or perennial forbs. Seasonal variations were observed for seedling count, species richness, and species diversity, with peak values observed during autumn. The seedlings consisted primarily of forbs (86%), followed by grasses (10%) and other plant types (4%). Astragalus podolobus, Lepidium vesicarium, and Chenopodium album emerged as the most abundant species from the fecal samples. Our findings shed light on the critical role played by the onager in the dispersal of numerous plant species and emphasized the potential cascading effects of herbivore-mediated seed dispersal. This highlights the significance of conserving and restoring the remaining populations of this threatened subspecies in arid habitats, where seed dispersal by abiotic factors is limited.

New species and records of Oecobius Lucas, 1846 (Araneae: Oecobiidae) from Iran and Azerbaijan

ABSTRACT New data on the oecobiid spiders of the genus Oecobius Lucas, 1846 occurring in Iran and Azerbaijan are provided. Five species are described as new to science: O. dariusi sp. n. (♀; Alborz and Tehran ‒ northern Iran), O. melanocephalus sp. n. (♀; Lorestan, Razavi Khorasan, Semnan, and Tehran ‒ south-western, northern and north-eastern Iran; hitherto described as the female of O. ferdowsii Mirshamsi, Zamani and Marusik, 2017), O. naxuanus sp. n. (♂; Nakhchivan ‒ western Azerbaijan), O. pasargadae sp. n. (♂♀; Fars ‒ south-central Iran), and O. zagros sp. n. (♂; Kermanshah ‒ western Iran). Furthermore, O. navus Blackwall, 1859 is reported in Iran for the first time, and new distribution records are provided for O. putus O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1876 and O. nadiae (Spassky, 1936). http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:98E34233-D62C-4443-A963-6F1DFB6183DF

Coins from Qasr-e Abu Nasr: archaeometallurgical and numismatic studies on pre-Islamic and Islamic coins excavated in South-Central Iran

Coins from Qasr-e Abu Nasr: archaeometallurgical and numismatic studies on pre-Islamic and Islamic coins excavated in South-Central Iran

The impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, Funneliformis mosseae, on rosemary phytoremediation ability under urban traffic

The aim of this study was to investigate the symbiotic relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizae (Funneliformis mosseae) and the ability of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) to mitigate urban traffic pollution. A factorial experiment with three replications and three factors (inoculated/non-inoculated with G. mosseae, traffic volume, and pot type) was conducted in Shiraz, a metropolis in south-central Iran. Inoculation with F. mosseae led to a 33% increase in root weight and a 20% increase in root length under a traffic volume of 4,200 Vehicles/H. Additionally, as traffic volume increased, stem length and dry weight of the entire plant inoculated with the fungus increased by 8.33% and 29.53%, respectively. The presence of fungus in the rosemary plant decreased the accumulation of Cd and increased the accumulation of Pb by 12.82% and 55.82%, respectively under traffic conditions of 4,200 Vehicles/H. The transfer factor (TF) of Cd and Pb in rosemary plant inoculated under these traffic conditions decreased by 25.74% and 25.24%, respectively. These findings indicate that mycorrhiza-inoculated rosemary plants can thrive in Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils, effectively remediating heavy metals, particularly Pb, with a TF >1.

What Drives Urban Densification? Free Market versus Government Planning in Iran

Is the compact city more likely to materialize if development is guided by the “invisible hand” of the market or the government’s “iron fist”? This article explores this question in the context of Shiraz, a medium-sized, medium-density city in south-central Iran. Through a series of longitudinal analyses, we examine the roles of the market and planning along thirty years, from the mid-1980s through the mid-2010s. The study reveals that since the mid-2000s, market forces have superseded government planning in guiding urban development in Shiraz. The government has reduced its interventions in the market: it no longer issues public land for housing development. Combined with natural constraints and sociodemographic pressures, this new planning/market balance has produced a denser and more compact city than ever before. Shiraz has been transformed from a city of villas, nightingales, and gardens into one dominated by mid- and high-rise apartment towers. The direction and intensity of development have not followed the recommendations of local planners and plans. Rather, they have been driven primarily by developers and residents. Regardless, density and compactness are generally positive—as long as housing and infrastructure quality are sustained, and residents have good access to parks, open spaces, and natural sunlight.

New taxonomic data on Zodariinae (Araneae: Zodariidae) of Azerbaijan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

New taxonomic considerations on several species of the zodariid spider subfamily Zodariinae Thorell, 1881 occurring in Azerbaijan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan are presented. Three species, Trygetus cyrus sp. n. (; Fars, south-central Iran), T. nakhchivanicus sp. n. (; Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan) and Zodarion sharurensis sp. n. (; Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan) are described as new, and the hitherto unknown male of Trygetus susianus Zamani Marusik, 2021 is described based on topotype material from Khuzestan, southwestern Iran. Indozodion Ovtchinnikov, 2006 stat. rev. is rediagnosed and removed from the synonymy of Tropizodium Jocqu Churchill, 2005, and here considered to comprise I. inayatullahi Ovtchinnikov, 2006 comb. rev. (type species) and I. lindbergi (Roewer, 1960) comb. n. (ex. Zodarion Walckenaer, 1826); the latter species, previously known only from Afghanistan, is redescribed and reported from Pakistan. One of the paratypes of I. lindbergi, reported as a subadult female in the original description, is found to be an adult female of Parazodarion raddei (Simon, 1889). An error in a previous publication (attributing figures of Acanthinozodium elburzicum Zamani Marusik, 2021 to P. raddei) is also corrected here.

Counterions, smectite, and palygorskite increase microstructural stability of saline-sodic soils

Saline-sodic soils are susceptible to wind and water erosion when the dispersive effect of sodium overcomes inter-particle bonds. Rheological parameters of viscoelasticity can help to quantify inter-particle attractive forces and account for the effect of salinity in these soils. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the viscoelasticity behavior of saline-sodic soils of the Sirjan playa in south-central Iran. Three representative pedons were excavated and described by horizon. Soil physicochemical properties and rheological properties were determined, namely the micromechanical parameters flow point (γf), loss factor tan δ, and integral z, with samples analyzed at three matric potentials (0, −6, and −15 kPa). Results showed that soil microstructural stiffness was mainly influenced by soil texture, clay minerals, gypsum, calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE), and matric potential. The dispersive effect of sodium, as indicated by low integral z and γf values, decreased with increasing gypsum content in − 6 and − 15 kPa matric potentials (0.6 < r < 0.8) and CCE percentage in the quasi-saturated (0 kPa) condition (r > 0.8). However, greater microstructural stability (i.e., higher integral z and γf) was observed for fine-textured soils with relatively high amounts of smectite and palygorskite and low pH. Furthermore, integral z and γf increased with lower matric potentials due to the stabilizing effect of menisci forces. Therefore, the viscoelastic behavior of the saline-sodic soils was negatively associated with water content and high sodium concentration, while the presence of smectite, palygorskite, gypsum, and CCE improved the soil physical conditions and thus the rigidity of the porous system. These results demonstrate that rheological measurements can identify saline-sodic soils that have strongly degraded microstructural stability and would most benefit from active management and amelioration.

Effects of buried pipes configuration on the performance of an underground passive cooling system in a desert city of Iran

Kerman is a very old city located on the outskirts of the deserts in south-central Iran. Since antiquity, the residents of the city utilized the low temperature of the soil beneath the surface of the ground to preserve foods and to make the water cold for drinking in the summer. In this study, the depth of the ground is used as a heat sink, which has the added benefit of not disturbing the historical appearance of the city. Two different configurations of buried pipes under the ground are examined to determine the most appropriate one for cooling the building. In the first configuration (case A), water flows to the depths of the soil through a vertical pipe with the length of h , and then flows in a horizontal pipe with the length of l at the depth of the ground, and then returns to the ground surface through a vertical pipe. In the second configuration (case B), water flows through a vertical pipe to the depths of the ground and then returns to the ground surface through another vertical pipe, and this pattern is repeated several times. The outlet flow of cold water from the buried pipes flows directly into the embedded pipes under the roof. A numerical simulation is performed to obtain the variation of temperature and fluid flows in the building and buried pipes. Comparison of the results reveals that the temperature of the building is reduced with a shorter pipe length by applying case A. • Underground passive cooling system is used for cooling a building in a desert city. • Two different configurations of buried pipes are considered for cooling a building. • The proposed method has a great advantage compared to many other energy alternatives.

Impacts of diabetes mellitus on clinical and para-clinical parameters among COVID-19 patients.

PurposeDiabetes has several adverse effects on patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, the determinants of this effect are still poorly understood. It is tried in current study to evaluate impacts of type 2 diabetes, with and without other comorbidities, on the clinical, para-clinical, and outcome parameters among COVID-19 patients.MethodsA case series was applied, which involved 406 COVID-19 patients admitted in the city of Shiraz, south-central Iran, from February 20 to April 29, 2020. Demographic data, medical history, laboratory finding, chest computed tomography (CT) scan reports, and clinical outcomes of patients with and without type 2 diabetes were compared.ResultsResults of the above-mentioned comparison showed that comorbidities such as HTN (35.5% vs. 13.7%, p < 0.001) and CVDs (26.2% vs. 13.4%, P = 0.002) were significantly more prevalent among the diabetic patients. Also, there was not any considerable difference between the chest CT severity parameters of both groups. After excluding all of the comorbidities except diabetes, it was found that the diabetic COVID-19 patients without other comorbidities had lower oxygen saturation level (P < 0.001), higher AST level (P = 0.037), higher BUN (P = 0.005), higher WBC counts (P = 0.025), lower lymphocyte counts (P = 0.029), and longer ICU admission duration (0.72 ± 2.83 vs. 1.71 ± 4.68, P = 0.046).ConclusionThe diabetic COVID patients are at higher risks of hypoxemia, longer ICU stays, and more renal and hepatic dysfunction. These achievements could be useful in order to prevent the deterioration of clinical conditions among diabetic COVID-19 patients; also, they have to be considered in the management strategies.

Happiness in marginalized populations: a community\u2013based study in South Central Iran

BackgroundHappiness has multiple levels and determinants in different communities, cultures, and social groups. The current study aimed to investigate happiness and its main determinants in slums in south central Iran.MethodsThis community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of adults at least 18 years of age living in the biggest slum area in Shiraz, south central Iran. To determine levels of happiness, participants were asked to complete the Persian version of the GHQ28 questionnaire and a checklist based on the 2017 World Happiness Report. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 19. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 42.06 ± 16.34 years. Overall, 542 participants (45 %) were females, 257 (21.3 %) were illiterate, 678 (56.3 %) were married, and 495 (41.1 %) were unemployed and lived with their household. The happiness score, according to the Cantril ladder score, was 6.41 ± 2 (out of a total score of 10). Happiness was not correlated with gender (p = 0.37) or immigration (p = 0.06). Lower levels of happiness were seen in older adults (r=− 0.12, p < 0.001), illiterates (p = 0.03), the unemployed (p < 0.001), and people separated from their spouses (p < 0.001). Job satisfaction (p < 0.001, r = 0.47), total general health (p < 0.001, r=-0.36) and hope (p < 0.001, r = 0.41) were significantly correlated with happiness. Social support (< 0.001) and sufficient income and satisfaction (p < 0.001) were related with a higher score of happiness.ConclusionsMarital status, smoking, employment and job satisfaction, social support and trust, feelings of insecurity in the neighborhood, hope for the future, facing violence, and income satisfaction were the main determinants of happiness in the Sang Siah slum area.

WITHDRAWN: Counterions, smectite, and palygorskite increase microstructural stability of saline-sodic soils

Abstract Saline-sodic soils are susceptible to wind and water erosion when the dispersive effect of sodium overcomes inter-particle bonds. Rheological parameters of viscoelasticity can help to quantify inter-particle attractive forces and account for the effect of salinity in these soils. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the viscoelasticity behavior of saline-sodic soils of the Sirjan playa in south-central Iran. Three representative pedons were excavated and described by horizon. Soil physicochemical properties and rheological properties were determined, namely the micromechanical parameters flow point (γf), loss factor tan δ, and integral z, with samples analyzed at three matric potentials (0, −6, and −15 kPa). Results showed that soil microstructural stiffness was mainly influenced by soil texture, clay minerals, gypsum, calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE), and matric potential. The dispersive effect of sodium, as indicated by low integral z and γf values, decreased with increasing gypsum content in − 6 and − 15 kPa matric potentials (0.6 0.8). However, greater microstructural stability (i.e., higher integral z and γf) was observed for fine-textured soils with relatively high amounts of smectite and palygorskite and low pH. Furthermore, integral z and γf increased with lower matric potentials due to the stabilizing effect of menisci forces. Therefore, the viscoelastic behavior of the saline-sodic soils was negatively associated with water content and high sodium concentration, while the presence of smectite, palygorskite, gypsum, and CCE improved the soil physical conditions and thus the rigidity of the porous system. These results demonstrate that rheological measurements can identify saline-sodic soils that have strongly degraded microstructural stability and would most benefit from active management and amelioration.

Techno-economic study of photovoltaic systems performance in Shiraz, Iran

Regarding the global increasing trend of photovoltaic (PV) installations, it is necessary to examine their performance under different climatic conditions. In this study, a three years of experimentation was carried out in order to evaluate soiling loss, yearly degradation and economic viability of PV systems in the south-central Iran. The results showed that dust effect in consecutive years can be significantly different. For instance, soiling loss in summer of 2017 and 2019 was 6.9% and 7.7%, respectively, whereas this value was 26.4% in summer 2018 due to a sand storm. The yearly average degradation of PV module was evaluated 1.17%, which was significantly lower than the degradation rate found by considering only first two years operation of PV module. In the economic analysis part of the research, a typical 1 MW solar plant was modeled in PVsyst software by using the measured data. The economic assessment showed that investment in PV industry without any special government support is economically profitable, as net present value (NPV) and discounted payback time (DPT) were found 1,367,499 US$ and 5.82 years, respectively. Also, levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) was 0.099 US$/kWh, which could be reduced to 0.054 US$/kWh by providing loan for investment costs.

A new species of the genus Eirenis Jan, 1863 (Squamata: Colubridae) from Kerman Province in South-central Iran.

A new species of Dwarf Snakes, Eirenis rafsanjanicus sp. n., is described from south-central Iran. This species is well distinguished from other congeners in both molecular and morphological characters, and its description increases the number of described Eirenis species to 26. Eirenis rafsanjanicus sp. n. is genetically closest (6% in Cytb) to the recently described E. yassujicus, which inhabits high habitats in southern Iran. Morphologically, E. rafsanjanicus sp. n. is more similar to E. modestus than to other congeners. A revised key to the genus is presented.

Petrogenesis of Dehsard felsic rocks in the southwest of Kerman, Iran: Inference for the evolution of Sanandaj-Sirjan zone

The Upper Triassic Dehsard felsic rocks (DFR), leucocratic to hololeucocratic granitic rocks, are exposed in the southernmost of the Phanerozoic Sanandaj-Sirjan zone in the Zagros orogenic belt of south-Central Iran. They intruded into the Paleozoic Khabr and Rutchun metamorphic complexes that consist of marble, greenschist, calcschist and micaschist rocks. The DFR are cut through by monzonitic and dioritic dikes. Comprehensive petrological and geochemical studies disclosed DFR as a plagiogranite. They are calc-alkaline, metaluminous to slightly peraluminous I-type granitoids and exhibit enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs; e.g. Na, K, Rb, Ba) in contrast to the depletion of high field strength elements (HFSEs; e.g. Nb, Ta, P, Ti). Their chondrite normalized REE patterns show LREE enrichment [(La/Yb)N = 4.41–23.77] and unfractionated HREE [(Gd/Yb)N = 0.60 to 2.23] that suggest the lack of garnet during partial melting processes. The positive Eu anomalies advocate plagioclase accumulation. The low Nb, Ta, P2O5, TiO2 content, isotopic data, LREEs enrichment, various tectono-magmatic discrimination diagrams may point out the formation of DFR in a mature island arc environment through partial melting of metabasic source with contribution of some greywacke sediments and subduction-related volatiles. The partial melting occurred above garnet stability field. The involvement of variable amounts of oceanic sedimentary rocks especially greywackes in the melting processes in a mature island arc setting, as characterised by εNdt results ranging from +0.93 to −5.19 at 220 Ma, could also cause the DFR inclination toward active continental margin environment. It seems that the development of an island arc in an intra-oceanic setting must be happened prior to the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous time, while northward subduction of Neotethys oceanic crust was in progress under southern margin of the Central Iranian Microcontinents. Subsequent collision of the island arc with SSZ led to the tectonic proximity of the DFR into SSZ constituents. This approach gives us new intuition for the renovation of the geodynamic history of Sanandaj–Sirjan zone.

Crustal density structure of the northwestern Iranian Plateau

We present a new 2D crustal-scale model of the northwestern Iranian plateau based on gravity–magnetic modeling along the 500 km long China–Iran Geological and Geophysical Survey in the Iranian plateau (CIGSIP) seismic profile across major tectonic provinces of Iran from the Arabian plate into the South Caspian Basin (SCB). The seismic P-wave receiver function (RF) model along the profile is used to constrain major crustal boundaries in the density model. Our 2D crustal model shows significant variation in the sedimentary thickness, Moho depth, and the depth and extent of intra-crustal interfaces. The Main Recent Fault (MRF) between the Arabian crust and the overriding central Iran crust dips at approximately 13° towards the northeast to a depth of about 40 km. The geometry of the MRF suggests about 150 km of underthrusting of the Arabian plate beneath central Iran. Our results indicate the presence of a high-density lower crustal layer beneath Zagros. We identify a new crustal-scale suture beneath the Tarom valley between the South Caspian Basin crust and Central Iran and the Alborz. This suture is associated with sharp variation in Moho depth, topography, and magnetic anomalies, and is underlain by a 20 km thick high-density crustal root at 35–55 km depth. The high-density lower crust in Alborz and Zagros may be related to partial eclogitization of crustal roots below about 40 km depth. The gravity and magnetic models indicate a highly extended continental crust for the SCB crust along the profile. Low observed magnetic susceptibility of the Kermanshah ophiolites likely indicates that the ophiolite rocks only form a thin layer that has been thrust over the sedimentary cover.

Disaggregation of conventional soil map by generating multi realizations of soil class distribution (case study: Saadat Shahr plain, Iran).

Conventional soil maps generally depict information about soil spatial distribution in the framework of crisp boundaries of tessellated soil polygons. Such maps in standard soil survey procedures determine map unit composition on the basis of relative acreage occupied by individual major and minor soil components within soil map unit without addressing the specific location of each component in the polygon boundary. These limitations in addition to the sharp-edge boundaries of conventional soil maps are considered obstacles for modern land resource management. To increase detail in the polygon of conventional soil maps, we have produced a spatially disaggregated soil class map of a relatively flat agricultural plain called Saadat Shahr in South-Central Iran, using DSMART algorithm. DSMART is a known DSM-based disaggregation and harmonization algorithm that works through resampled classification trees to estimate the probability of the existence of each possible soil classes and also to prepare the maps of the most probable soil class, second most probable, and so on in raster format. The conventional soil map and 124 georeferenced profiles, as well as a set of numerical and categorical auxiliary data in 10-m resolutions in the extent of the study area utilized as the SCORPAN variables, were used as the inputs of the DSMART algorithm. A set of 78 independent sampling points generated by Latin hypercube sampling scheme were investigated and then used for validation of the DSMART raster outputs. The results indicated an improvement in disaggregated maps in the case of allocating soil components within the map units. In the generated DSMART, overall accuracy for seven soil subgroups was 68%. The best prediction obtained for Typic Xerorthents and Typic Calcixerepts, meanwhile a few classes were poorly predicted. For second most probable and third most probable maps, 17% and 0.5% of predicted soils match that observed respectively. This study revealed that DSMART as a disaggregation method can be used for enhancing existence soil map with poor descriptive data in the case of allocating soil classes in a more detailed way compared to the relevant original map.

Structural concepts for Soltanieh fault zone (NW Iran)

Active deformation in Alborz range is due to N-S convergence between Arabia and Eurasia. This paper provides geomorphic traces of regional deformation in NW Iran in order to characterize active faulting on major faults. Soltanieh and North Zanjan fault systems are involved in convergence boundary extent between South Caspian Basin and Central Iran. Soltanieh and North Zanjan faults are major reverse faults in the study area. Soltanieh fault has been probably responsible for historical Soltanieh earthquake in 1803. Accurate mapping accompanied by field observations enabled offset determination along active faults. We presented geomorphic documents indicating left-lateral strike-slip movements in Soltanieh fault zone. Kinematics is achieved through analyzing inversion results obtained from kinematic measurement sites which are generally scattered along Soltanieh fault zone. Fault kinematic data inversion results (slip-vector measurement in fault planes) indicate a dominant NE trending horizontal maximum stress axis (σ1). Kinematic inversion results infer reverse faulting mechanism accompanied by strike-slip component.

The Role of Moisture Sources and Climatic Teleconnections in Northeastern and South-Central Iran’s Hydro-Climatology

Iran faces climate disparities due to extreme topographic anomalies, the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf water bodies, influences from diverse air masses and moisture sources, and its considerable area. FLEXPART model has been utilized to determine the main marine and continental moisture sources for south-central (Shiraz box) and northeastern (Mashhad box) parts of Iran. The marine moisture sources directly influenced extreme drought and wet conditions in Shiraz and Mashhad boxes during the wet period, while no correlation was observed during the dry period. In addition to local components, extreme drought and wet conditions have also been influenced by the climatic teleconnections. Extreme drought conditions mainly occurred during the La Niña phase, while wet conditions mainly occurred during the El Niño phase. Scrutinizing the effect of marine moisture sources on the hydrology of water resources demonstrated that the moisture contribution from the Arabian Sea directly influenced the discharges of Chenar-rahdar (in the Shiraz box) and Kardeh (in the Mashhad box) rivers during the wet period. However, the Red Sea inversely correlated with the discharges of both rivers during the dry period. Hydrogeologists, hydrologists, and meteorologists can utilize the outputs of this survey to develop climatology and hydrology models in the future.

Management strategies of a critical aquifer under the climate change in Jahrum of South-Central Iran

The Jahrum aquifer is situated in South-Central Iran, within an arid climate. The water table and minimum hydraulic storage (MHS) of Jahrum aquifer have been significantly reduced in recent decades due to groundwater over-exploitation. The MHS is defined as “volume of water in excess of recycle water, stored in most aquifers to provide enough pressure-head to push water toward the discharging zones”. The daily precipitation and temperature of Canadian’s Coupled Global Climate Model 3.1 is downscaled at the Jahrum climatic station using LARS-WG for the 2015–2095 period and scenarios B1, A1B and A2. Under three scenarios, the precipitation will decrease and temperature will increase. The annual water balance of the Jahrum aquifer is calculated for the baseline period (1998–2010), as well as for several management alternatives, including reducing cultivated area, or and applying water stress or no stress during the dry periods under the three scenarios. The cultivated area or exploitation, and consequently, total irrigation water requirement is reduced in a way to compensate 50 and 100% volume of the MHS. The MHS recovery depends on the percentage of cultivated area reduction and water stress. In all scenarios and alternatives, the current cultivated area should be reduced, depending on the case, within a range of 61–84% to recover the MHS, completely. The MHS recovery period varies from 45 to 75 years in the three scenarios. It is recommended that the MHS recovery method be used for any aquifer exposed to over-exploitation and climate change.