The tourism environmental impact assessment on Namak-Abrod forest using degradation model

This study is aimed at investigating the degradation intensity stemmed from tourist’s activities using degradation model inNamak-AbrodForest. In tourist’s aggregation center located on the first line of tele-cabin station on the mountain top, a region with an area about 10 ha was selected and studied as environmental unit, then 10-meter strip or band was established in four main and four sub-main aspects and 100% inventory was done. Within the band, ecological vulnerability was computed and classified based on physiographic, soil, hydrologic and vegetation maps, then eight degradation factors were calculated in the region based on topographic maps, field observations and expert’s opinions. Using degradation model, degradation coefficient was calculated and classified and the study area was divided into two parts namely rehabilitation needed and conservation needed.