Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Wind Erosion Hazard in Alborz and Qazvin Provinces

In recent decades, human activities have intensified wind erosion, affecting ۳۰% of the Earth's surface. This study evaluates land susceptibility to wind erosion and identifies dust sources in Alborz and Qazvin provinces using the ILSWE index, which integrates climatic erosivity, soil erodibility, soil crust factor, vegetation cover, and surface roughness. These factors were derived from climatic data, field observations, and laboratory analyses. Land use analysis (۲۰۰۱–۲۰۲۲) revealed a ۳.۸۲% decline in rangeland, while cropland (۲.۹۳%), barren land (۳.۰۱%), and urban areas (۰.۴۷%) increased. Savannas (۰.۱۲%) and shrublands (۲.۴۸%) decreased, while water bodies remained unchanged. The highest climatic erosivity was found in the northern, eastern, and southwestern regions. Vegetation cover and surface roughness peaked in the central to eastern areas, while the lowest values were observed in the northern, southern, and western regions. Soil crust and erodibility were highest in the southern, western, and southwestern areas, while the lowest values occurred in the central and northern parts. Over ۷۰% of the region exhibited "very high" or "high" wind erosion sensitivity, with peaks in ۲۰۰۳, ۲۰۰۴, ۲۰۲۱, and ۲۰۲۲. Highly sensitive areas in the central and northwestern parts have decreased over time. Trend analysis showed that ۸.۴۵% of the region had reduced sensitivity (mainly in croplands), ۸۱.۸۲% remained stable, and ۹.۷۳% increased (mainly in barren lands and dust hotspots). The study concludes that climatic conditions, vegetation cover, and soil type contribute to wind erosion, while increasing barren and croplands reflect population growth and higher food demand.

کلیدواژه ها:

Dust Source ، Trend of Changes ، Land use ، ILSWE Index