Shahid Beheshti UniversitySustainable Earth Trends3060-62254120240101Sustainable Tourism Development Based on A Strategic Approach Using SWOT Analytical Model (Case Study: Gorgan County)11110412110.48308/ser.2023.234119.1031ENSomayehGaldaviDepartment of Water Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Kashmar Higher Education Institute, Kashmar, Iran0000-0002-2218-1186GafarMirkatouliProfessor, Faculty of Geography Sciences, Golestan University, Golestan, Iran0000-0003-2469-4054MarjanMohammadzadehFaculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran0000-0003-1764-8105HamedMirkarimiFaculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran0000-0002-2510-8320Journal Article20231212The SWOT technique provides strategies to improve the management situation by examining and evaluating strengths and weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Therefore, the current research was conducted to provide a strategic plan for the management and sustainable development of tourism in Gorgan using the SWOT. So, a list of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats was identified and provided as a questionnaire with a Likert scale which was filled out by the experts. Then, their results were analyzed and weighted. Next, the SWOT matrix was formed based on internal (IFE) and external (EFE) factors, and the best strategies for tourism management in the study area were presented. According to the results, the existence of recreational areas such as Naharkhoran and Alangdareh near Gorgan City is considered the most important opportunity for tourism development in the study area. At the same time, the criteria of low level of sanitary conditions and lack of service facilities in recreational areas is the most important threat related to tourism development in the region. Also, from the point of experts’ view, the existence of beautiful landscapes, numerous waterfalls, and unique forest areas in the vicinity of Gorgan city are the most important strengths in tourism development. On the other hand, the lack of entertainment for tourists and the lack of guarantee for the sustainability of investment in this industry are the most important weaknesses. In this research, strategies and suggestions were presented to improve the current situation and to manage sustainable and successful tourism in this region.https://sustainearth.sbu.ac.ir/article_104121_699194689eecdc2bd64a16c0ad0b2f5a.pdfShahid Beheshti UniversitySustainable Earth Trends3060-62254120240101Analyzing Trends and Exploring the Correlation Between Runoff and Precipitation in the Armand River Basin122810442110.48308/ser.2024.234857.1039ENDariushSaeidiDepartment of Geography, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran0009-0001-5062-3463AmirGandomkarDepartment of Geography, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran0000-0002-9344-7607MasoudNAsriWater Research Center, Isfahan (Khorasan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran0000-0001-9505-4893Journal Article20240218This study examines temporal trends and discharge patterns over 35 years in the Armand River Basin using data collected from synoptic and hydrometric stations (1986-2020). Statistical analysis and graphical tests like the Mann-Kendall test, Pearson correlation, and Spearman correlation were employed. Results show a notable negative trend in average annual and winter precipitation at the Shahrekord station since 1994 and 1996, respectively, with other stations exhibiting decreasing rainfall trends across all seasons without a clear pattern. The analysis of runoff trends across hydrometric stations in the Armand Basin indicates a significant decrease in both annual and seasonal runoff, particularly notable in the summer season. These trends align with observed changes in precipitation across different seasons, confirming the decreasing runoff trend. Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients show a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) between runoff and precipitation, with coefficients of 0.612 and 0.595, respectively, supporting this relationship. Regression variance analysis confirms the linear assumption of this relationship, illustrated by scatter diagrams depicting the intensity, direction, and type of relationship between the two variables in the Armand River basin. The linear graphs indicate a positive relationship between precipitation and runoff in the basin. This is evident from the upward slope of the points, moving from left to right. Additionally, the concentration of points around the regression line suggests a strong and intense relationship between runoff and precipitation in the studied basin.https://sustainearth.sbu.ac.ir/article_104421_6e402ddaaf2921391ab2f0ae0b368ae5.pdfShahid Beheshti UniversitySustainable Earth Trends3060-62254120240101Green Commute: Reducing Carbon Footprint in Commuting Scenarios in Karaj293710444210.48308/set.2024.235335.1046ENShimaOveisiInstitute of Space and Atmospheric Studies, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada0000-0003-3441-5864MazaherMoeinaddiniDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran0000-0002-3931-5339Journal Article20240412This study addresses the substantial contribution of mobile sources in commuting to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in megacities and underscores strategies for carbon footprint emission reduction. Field interviews and questionnaires facilitate data collection, enabling the classification of the studied vehicle fleet based on various parameters. The scenarios aim to minimize GHG<sub>s</sub> from the commute, utilizing the International Vehicle Emission (IVE) model to establish a primary carbon footprint emission inventory for commuting in Karaj. The base scenario reveals that commuting in Karaj produces 1579423 grams of CO2<sub>e</sub>, with CO<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O, and CH<sub>4 </sub>emissions at 1389039 grams, 43.74 grams, and 6385.38 grams, respectively. Three carbon footprint reduction scenarios, involving removing diesel vehicles, adopting natural gas-fueled vehicles, and replacing Euro 4 and 5 with older vehicles, demonstrate that the removal of diesel vehicles (S1) and adopting natural gas-fueled vehicles, and replacing Euro 4 and 5 with older vehicles (S3) are the most effective strategies, achieving a 99% efficiency rate in reducing CO<sub>2</sub>e. This study highlights the substantial impact of curbing carbon emissions from GHG<sub>s</sub>. S1 and S3 show significant reductions in carbon footprint emissions, emphasizing the crucial role of strategic planning and greenhouse gas minimization in controlling emissions from commuting. These findings underscore the critical importance of reducing carbon footprints and commuting to effectively mitigate GHG<sub>s</sub> in congested urban areas.https://sustainearth.sbu.ac.ir/article_104442_7f803f86c527f4c7dd229c53ef4ff11b.pdfShahid Beheshti UniversitySustainable Earth Trends3060-62254120240101An Analysis of the Spatial Distribution of Urban Public Services in the Districts of Tabriz Metropolis, Iran384810444710.48308/set.2024.234863.1040ENOmidMobarakiDepartment of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran0000-0001-5025-623XEbrahimSamiDepartment of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, IranJournal Article20240219This research aims to analyze the spatial distribution of urban public services in the metropolitan districts of Tabriz. This study is an applied research type and its method is descriptive-analytical. To analyze the data, the TOPSIS model as well as cluster analysis and SPSS and GIS software were used. The research results showed that there was no favorable spatial justice between the districts of Tabriz city in privileging public urban services. In other words, districts 2, 3, and 5 were on one level (first level), districts 6, 7, and 4 were on one level (second level) and districts 9, 8, 1, and 10 were on one level (third level). In deprived districts, nonconforming population growth with service needs, lack of green and recreational spaces, lack of suitable health-medical, commercial, and sports services, increase in population growth rate, lack of educational and cultural facilities, low employment, low-income strata and immigrants` residence, construction of unlicensed buildings and indiscriminate expansion in these districts have intensified the level of instability. Therefore, for the optimal distribution of public services between districts of Tabriz city, first of all, the approach of social justice should be placed on the agenda of the managers and decision-makers of Tabriz city so that the distribution of services and facilities between the districts of Tabriz city is balanced according to population needs.https://sustainearth.sbu.ac.ir/article_104447_b23f11aa6abadfbe35737f1d01842b49.pdfShahid Beheshti UniversitySustainable Earth Trends3060-62254120240101Ecotoxicological effects of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate on Biochemical Indices in Oreochromis niloticus Exposed Invitro495810449310.48308/set.2024.235398.1047ENThomas OhwofasaIkpesuDepartment of Biology, Federal University Otuoke, Nigeria0000-0002-0669-9727Adenike BosedeAriyoDepartment of Microbiology, Federal University Otuoke, Nigeria0000-0002-5955-306XJournal Article20240417The anionic surfactant linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LABS) is a synthetic surfactant, frequently utilized in domestic detergents as well as for a variety of industrial purposes. The effects of this ubiquitous pollutant on freshwater fish <em>Orechromis niloticus</em> were investigated. For 30 days, the fish were treated with the concentration ranges of LABS reported in the field (0.05,0.1,0.15, and 0.2) mg/L, including the control. Fish in both the control and experimental groups received twice-daily meals at 3% of their body weight throughout the experiment. A fish was removed from each plastic tub after each experimental period (2,9,16,23, and 30<sup>th</sup>) and was punctured in the heart to obtain blood samples. Blood was drawn and placed in sample bottles and analyzed for lipid peroxidation, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, catalase, protein, and superoxide dismutase using standard methods. No deaths were noticed in either the control fish or the fish subjected to different sublethal concentrations of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate. After exposure to the surfactants, there was a noticeable alteration in the activities of the marker's indices in the blood of the fish. Tissue-specific, clear-cut time and dose dependence characterized the rate of changes in the assessed markers in the fish.https://sustainearth.sbu.ac.ir/article_104493_f1691d4937eb5b32e7cd889520d79a31.pdfShahid Beheshti UniversitySustainable Earth Trends3060-62254120240101Relationships of Habitat Quality to Characteristics of Soil, Topography, and Landscape Features Across Qeshlagh Dam Watershed in Western Iran596810452610.48308/set.2024.235106.1044ENKazhanHasaniDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416 Sanandaj, IranBubakSouriDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416 Sanandaj, Iran0000-0003-2506-859XFazlolahAhmadi MirghaedDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran0000-0003-0123-4258Journal Article20240317This research investigates the relationships between habitat quality, soil characteristics, topography and landscape metrics across soil zones and sub-basins of the Qeshlagh dam in western Iran. InVEST software was applied to determine habitat quality while soil characteristics were interpolated through the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) method using ArcGIS software. The results revealed that the higher habitat quality throughout the Qeshlagh basin is distributed on upland including northern and eastern parts and also western strips of the basin. Dense urban land use and agricultural development were amongst the factors for declining habitat quality in central and southern parts of the study area. Statistical analysis showed that there are significant relationships of habitat quality to characteristics of soil, topography and landscape features throughout soil zones and sub-basins while the scale of sampling may impact the results. Also, it was emphasized that the habitat quality is influenced by the landscape pattern. In this regard cohesiveness of the largest landscape spot was highly influential. It is suggested that land management pathways regarding the rate and magnification of the degradation of the habitat quality should be considered and urgent conservative measures need to be applied to improve habitat quality across the basin.https://sustainearth.sbu.ac.ir/article_104526_0985628accff41ac29b2f93102ada8b1.pdf