Evaluation of geodiversity indicators in the karst southwest of Lorestan province with emphasis on karst forms

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 1. PhD student in Geomorphology, Department of Geomorphology, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, Uni versity of Tabriz, Tabriz- Iran.

2 2. Professor of Geomorphology, Department of Geomorphology, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz- Iran.

3 4. Associate Professor of Geomorphology, Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Khorramabad- Iran

10.22034/hyd.2025.68428.1806

Abstract

Geodiversity describes the natural diversity of abiotic elements in a place. The aim of this study is to interpret and evaluate geodiversity with emphasis on karst forms in the southwestern region of Lorestan. This region includes the basins of the cities of Kohdasht, Romeshkan, Poldokhtar, and Mamolan. The karst geodiversity assessment in the study area was carried out using the Benito Calvo model (2009) including geodiversity indices such as plot roughness density (PRD), Simpson roughness index (SIEI), Shannon roughness index (SHEI), Shannon diversity index (SHDI), and Simpson diversity index (SIDI). The results of the five indices of all geokarst in the region showed that the highest value is related to the Mamolan basin. In this basin, the Simpson and Shannon roughness indices for geomorphic types were determined to be 0.977 and 0.751, respectively, and numerical analysis showed that the topographic heterogeneity was very high and the combination of roughness classes was also high and almost uniformly distributed. Also, the Simpson and Shannon diversity rates for geomorphic types were determined to be 0.973 and 4.125, respectively, which indicated that in this interpretation from Simpson's perspective, there is no dominance of a specific type because the diversity is high. Shannon's effective number is consistent with high diversity, but more reasonable. The Pol Dokhtar basin is in second place in this evaluation. The overall results showed that the contribution of geological factors was greater than morphometric and climatic factors.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Persian).
Benito, Calvo Alfonso., Pérez-González,Alfredo., Magriand,O., Meza, perdomo (2009). Assessing regional geodiversity  the Iberian Peninsula. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 34:1433-1445.
Brilha, J., Gray, M., Pereira, D.I., & Pereira, P. (2018) Geodiversity: An integrative review as a contribution to the sustainable management of the whole of nature. Environmental Science and Policy, 86,pp.19−28. DOI: 10.1016.j. envsci.2018.05.001.
Cañadas  Serrano, E. y. Ruiz Flaño,P. (2007) geodiversidad: cancepto, evaluacion y aplicacion territorial EL caso DE tiermes caracena (soria). Department of Geography University of Valladolid , pp.389-393.
Crisp, J.R.A., Ellison, J.C., Fischer, A. (2021) Current trends and future directions in quantitative geodiversity assessment Prog. Phys. Geogr., 45 (2021) pp. 514-540, 10.1177.0309133320967219.FORMAT.EPUB.
Dickson, B., and P, Beier. (2006) Quantifying the influence of topographic position on cougar (Puma concolor) movement In Southern California, USA, The Zoological Society of London. Journal of Zoology, doi: 10.1111.j.1469-7998.2006.00215.x.
Esmaili, Reza. Khoshkho, Parasto. (2023) Geodiversity Sensitivity Assessment in Babolrood Watershed, Mazandaran Province, Quantitative Geomorphology Research, Year 12, Issue 3, Winter 1402, pp.201-185.(In Persian).
 
Fox, n., Graham, L., Eigenbrod, F., Bullock, J., Parks, K. (2022) Geodiversity Supports Cultural Ecosystem Services: an Assessment Using Social Media. Geoheritage, pp. 14-27. DOI:10.1007.s12371-022-00665-0.
Ghahroudi Talia, Manijeh., Heidary, Mehrnoosh.(2022) Investigation of geodiversity in Lar basin, northern Iran; Journal homepage: http: sustainearth.sbu.ac.ir. Sustainable Earth Review 2(1) 2022.
Ghahrudi Tali, Manijeh., Ali Nouri, Dijeh., Farjadi Nia, Sajjad. (2022) Application of geodiversity in environmental management (case study: Karaj Dam upstream basin) Quantitative Geomorphology Research, Year 10, Issue 4, Spring 1401, pp. 1-17.
Ghobadi, Mohammad Hossein., Amiri, Mehrdad. (2018) Evaluation of karst development based on lithological, morphological and structural characteristics in the Hassan Abad area of ​​Qale Bozi Mobarakeh, Isfahan. 11th National Conference, Specialized in Geology, Payam Noor University, Payam Noor University of Qom, November 13 and 14.(In Persian).
Goli Mokhtari, Leila., AmirAhmadi, Abolghasem., Zandi, Rahman., Ganjinia, Malihe. (2023) Analysis of terrestrial diversity (geodiversity) in the Binalood Mountains, Hakim Sabzevari University, No. 14, Volume 52, pp. 41-24.(In Persian).
Goli Mokhtari, Leila., Negahban, Saeed., Shafiei, Najmeh. (2018) Comparative analysis of geodiversity (geological diversity) in the northwestern basins of Fars province, Quantitative Geomorphology Research, Year 7, Issue 3, Winter 137, pp. 163-151.(In Persian).
Gordon, J.E., Tormey, D., Wignall, R., Brazier, V., Crofts, R. (2022) Climate change will challenge the management of geoheritage in protected and conserved areas Park. Steward. Forum, 38, 10.5070.P538156119,p.56.
Gray, M. (2004) Geodiversity: valuing and conserving abiotic nature, Wiley, Lenders. See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235864115.
Guerini, M.,  Mantovani, A.,  Bux Khoso, R.,  Giardino, M.(2024) Exploring the Correlation between Geoheritage and Geodiversity through Comprehensive Mapping: A Study within the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark (NW Italy), Geomorphology, 416(15).
Hjort, J., Luoto, M. (2012) Can geodiversity be predicted from space? Geomorphology, its geomorphic constraints: A case study in Kuwait, International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 13(1) : 17-30. https: doi.org.10.1016.j.ijgeop.2025.01.002. 153–154 : 74-80, 10.1016.J.GEOMORPH.2012.02.010.
Iranian Land Affairs Organization (2025) Land Affairs of Lorestan Province.(In Persian).
Jadari Eyvazi, Jamshid. (1995) Geomorphology of Iran. Textbook Publication Series: Textbook Plan,Payam Noor University Publications, First Edition, May 1995, pp. 47-45.(In Persian).
Jamshidi, Amin. (2022) Positive and negative consequences of the karst phenomenon in Lorestan province, 41st National Conference of Earth Sciences. Tehran, Civilica Scientific Database. p.14.(In Persian).
Jenness, Jeff. (2011) Topographic position index. Version 1.3a. (accessed November 2009) Jenness Enterprises. Web Site: http://www.jennessent.com.
Karami, Fariba., Mokhtari, Davud., Ahmadi, Farnoosh (2023) The role of landforms and lithology in the rate of soil erosion in the Zenozchay watershed. Journal of Hydrogeomorphology. Volume 10, Number 37, January 2023, pp. 1-24.(In Persian).
Kazemi. Masoumeh. (2012) Investigation of factors affecting the evolution of karst geomorphology in Mount Gamasyab with emphasis on the Lapieh evolution (south of Nahavand). Geographic Quarterly of the Land, Year 9, Issue 33, Spring 91 .(In Persian).
Kienle, D., Walentowitz, A., Sungur, L., Chiarucci, A., Irl, S., Jentsch, A., Vetaas, O., Field, R., and Beierkuhnlein, C. (2021) Geodiversity and Biodiversity on a Volcanic Island: The Role of Scattered Phonolites for Plant Diversity and Reproductive Fitness, Biogeosciences Journal, Copernicus Publications.London. Journal of Zoology. doi: 10.1111.j.1469-7998.2006.00215, p.1691.
Luca, Pisano., Veronica, Zumpano., Mariangela, Pepe., Isabella Serena, Liso., and Mario, Parise.(2022) Assessing Karst Landscape Degradation: A Case Study in Southern Italy, https: doi.org.10.3390 land11101842, p.2.
Maghsoudi, Mehran; Sharafi, Siamak; Kamrani, Pouya (2022) Geodiversity Sensitivity Assessment at Regional Scale (Case Study: Lorestan Province), Geomorphic Environments, Heritages and Terrestrial Diversity; 9th National Conference of the Iranian Society of Geomorphology, November 2012, University of Tehran.(In Persian).
Makram, Marzieh., Negahban, Saeed. (2014) Classification of landforms using the Topographic Position Index (TPI) (Case study: Southern region of Darab County) Quarterly Journal of Geographic Information Research, Sepehr, Volume 23, Issue 92, pp. 57-65.(In Persian).
Maqsoudi, Mehran., Mohammad Khan, Shirin., Sharafi, Siamak., Kamrani, Pouya. (2023) Geodiversity assessment using qualitative-quantitative index (GI) (Case study: Lorestan province) Quantitative Geomorphology Research, Year 12, Issue 2, Fall 2013, pp. 1-2.(In Persian).
McGarigal, K., Cushman, S.A., Neel, M.C., and Ene, E. (2002). FRAGSTATS:Spatial Pattern Analysis Program for Categorical Maps. Computersoftware program produced by the authors at the University ofMassachusetts: Amherst. MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Land 2022, 11(10), 1842, https: doi.org.10.3390.land11101842.
Meteorological Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran. (2025) General Meteorological Department of Lorestan Province.(In Persian).
 
 
Micić Ponjiger, T., Lukić, T., Vasiljević, Ð.A., et al. Quantitative Geodiversity Assessment of the Fruška Gora Mt. (North Serbia) by Using the Geodiversity Index. (2021). Geoheritage 13, 61 https: doi.org.10.1007.s12371-021-00572-w.
Moghimi, Ebrahim., Rahimi Harabadi, Saeed., Hodai Arani, Mojtaba., Alizadeh, Mohammad., Aroji, Hassan. (2012) Geomorphotourism and the feasibility of road geomorphosites using the Perry-Yara method; Case study: Qom-Kashan Freeway. Journal of Applied Research in Geographical Sciences, Year 12, No. 27, Winter 2012, p.14.(In Persian).
Mokhtari, Davud., Rezaei Moghadam, Mohammad Hossein., Dartaj, Diana. (2024) Analysis of the impact of tectono-karst activities on the formation of transverse valleys of Zagros: in the area of Avuz to Kermostaj, Fars Province. Hydrogeomorphology, Volume 11, Issue 38, Spring 2023, pp.97-8.(In Persian).
Nabavi, Mohammad Hassan (1996) A Preface to the Geology of Iran. Tehran, Publications of the Geological Organization of Iran. pp. 14-31.(In Persian).
Pisano, Luca., Zumpano, Veronica., Pepe, Mariangela., Liso, Isabella Serena., and parise, mario.(2022) Assessing Karst Landscape Degradation: A Case Study in Southern Italy. Land 2022, 11, 1842.pp.2- 18.https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101842.
Rong, Tianyu., Shuting, Xu., Yayan, Lu., Yanjun, Tong., and Zhaoping, Yang. (2023) Quantitative Assessment of Spatial Pattern of Geodiversity in the Tibetan Plateau . Sustainability 2023, 15, 299. https doi.org.10.3390.su15010299, p.1.
Ruban, D. (2017) Geodiversity as a precious national resource: A note on the role of geoparks, Resources Policy, 53: 103-108.
Salehi Pourmilani, Alireza., Rafiei, Rasoul., Sadouq, Seyed Hassan. (2023) Application of landscape metrics in the assessment of geomorphological diversity of desert areas, case study - Playa Masileh. Journal of Geographical Spatial Planning, Volume 13, Issue 4, pp. 85-102.(In Persian).
Sarli, Reza., Mousavi, Mirnajaf., Khodadad, Mehdi. (2018) Detecting changes in land use and vegetation cover in Pol-e Dokhtar County using Landsat satellite images. Haft Hesar Environmental Studies Journal, Winter 2018, No. 26.(In Persian).
Weiss, A. (2001) Topographic Position and Landforms Analysis. Poster presentation, ESRI User Conference, San Diego, C.
YarAhmadi, Dariush., Beiranvand, Hojjatollah. (2014) Physical Geography of Lorestan, Khorramabad- Lorestan University, 246 pages, illustrated, tables, diagrams, maps, ISBN: 978-600-6217-15-4.(In Persian).
 
Journal of Hydrogeomorphology
Volume 12, Issue 45 - Serial Number 45
January 2026
Pages 163-142

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 02 August 2025
  • Revise Date: 16 September 2025
  • Accept Date: 16 September 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics