LAND CAPABILITY EVALUATION FOR ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ILAM PROVINCE, A GIS APPROACH/Avaliação da capacidade da terra para desenvolvimento de ecoturismo na província de Ilam, uma abordagem com utilização de SIG

Abstract

As one of the most wealth-generating industries in the world, tourism has been the center of attention by many governments worldwide. Depending on the purpose of tourism, it has been classified into different types, one of which is ecotourism. Given that ecotourism currently accounts for a small part of the whole, however, it has a rapid growth rate. This present study aims at zoning suitable areas in Ilam, a province in western Iran, for ecotourism development purposes. Accordingly, the digital maps of elevation, slope, land cover/land use, mineral springs, and water resources were prepared, at first. Afterwards, the suitable and unsuitable areas were segregated by Boolean functions. Overlaying the map layers by GIS software, the suitable areas were identified. The obtained results revealed that the top attractions are mainly distributed from the northern and central province to the southeastern parts where climatic condition is favorable, and rich in natural land cover and water resources. Moreover, the southern and western parts were evaluated poor in term of eco-tourist attractions.

Headnote

ABSTRACT

As one of the most wealth-generating industries in the world, tourism has been die center of attention by many governments worldwide. Depending on the purpose of tourism, it has been classified into different types, one of which is ecotourism. Given that ecotourism currently accounts for a small part of the whole, however, it has a rapid growth rate. The present study aims at zoning suitable areas in Ilam, a provmce m western Iran, for ecotourism development purposes. Accordingly, die digital maps of elevation, slope, land cover/land use, mineral springs, and water resources were prepared, at first. Afterwards, die suitable and unsuitable areas were segregated by Boolean functions. Overlaymg die map layers by GIS software, the suitable areas were identified. The obtamed results revealed that die top attractions are mainly distributed from the northern and central province to die southeastern parts where climatic condition is favorable, and rich in natural land cover and water resources. Moreover, the southern and western parts were evaluated poor in term of eco-tourist attractions.

Keywords: Land Capability Evaluation; Ecotourism Development; Boolean Algebra; Ilam Provmce (Iran); Geographic Information System; Remote Sensing.

RESUMO

Como uma das industrias mais geradoras de riqueza no mundo, o turismo tern sido o centro das aten9oes de muitos govemos em todo o mundo. Dependendo da fmalidade do turismo, ele foi classificado em diferentes tipos, um dos quais e o ecoturismo. O ecoturismo e responsavel atualmente por uma pequena parcela das receitas; no entanto, tern uma alta taxa de crescimento. O presente estudo de caso visa ao zoneamento de areas adequadas em Ilam, uma provincia no oeste do Ira, para fins de desenvolvimento do ecoturismo. Assim, foram elaborados inicialmente os mapas digitais de altitude, declividade, cobertura vegetal, uso do solo, nascentes de agua mineral e de recursos hidricos. Depois, as areas adequadas e inadequadas foram separadas por fiu^oes booleanas. A sobreposi9ao das camadas atraves de um GIS permitiu identificar as areas mais adequadas. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que as principais atra9oes estao localizadas, principalmente, nas provincia do norte e central, em dire9ao sudeste, regioes em que a condi9ao climatica e favoravel, e sao ricas em recursos naturais de cobertura do solo e de agua. Alem disso, as regioes sul e oeste foram avaliados como pobres em termos de atra9oes eco-turisticas.

Palavras-chave: Avalia9ao da Aptidao das Terras; Desenvolvimento do Ecoturismo; Algebra Booleana; Provincia de Ilam (Ira); Sistema de Informa9ao Geografica; Sensoriamento Remoto.

I. INTRODUCTION

Tourism development as an economic activity has a significant impact on empowering local communities. The role of tourism, as a new source of job creation, revenues, taxes, and currencies, has been taken mto consideration by numerous studies (Howard, 2009).

Nowadays, the development of tourism is widely accepted and placed on the agenda by developing and developed countries (Stueve, 2002). Tourism leads money and population from industrial centers towards natural and rural areas. The revenue from tourism contributes to the economy and social welfare of the host counfry (Cater, 1994). According to World Tourism Organization (WTO), ecotourism proportion will reach from the current of 7% to 20% in die coming decade (Ross, 1980).

Although tourism development may cause loss of native language and local culture (Miller, 2001), it can cause die development of the host countries in terms of educational and cultural conditions (Brandon, 2001). Therefore, sustainable ecotourism is one aspect consistent with the nature(Hunter, 1997). Ecotourism is considered as a part of sustainable tourism (Ceballos- Lascurain, 1993; Wells, 1992). Providing opportunities for employment of services provided by locals and giving natural unspoilt areas an economic value are die most important benefits of ecotourism (Alpert, 1996).

It can also create benefits for local people and attract international support for protected areas (Fennel, 1999). Hence, the support and participation of local people is essential to achieve sustamable ecotourism (Yoon, 2001). Ecotourism development should increase the maximum local participation in conservation of natural areas (Cooke, 1982).

The correct diagnosis of tourist behavior will contribute to suitable site selection of tourist destinations (Bansal, 2004). Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to nature where the flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions in a way to conserve die environment and improves die well-being of local people (Boo, 1990). Due to great income generation, tourism and ecotourism have urged countries to pay special attention to this industry (Tremblay, 2006). This form of tourism is based on purposeful travel coupled with cultural and spiritual understandings of a variety of natural phenomena (Choong, 2008). Ecotourism means traveling to different parts of countries to visit natural monuments and get more familiar with different cultures.

Given die mentioned circumstances, what is important in this type of tourism is the issue of sustainability (Honey, 2008). Valuation of ecosystem services and natural environment is very important for sustainable tourism management. There has been a wide range of approaches and methods presented in recent years to evaluate ecosystem values (Eade and Moran, 1996; Guo et al., 2001; Hein et al., 2006; Troy and Wilson, 2006; Egoh et al., 2008). According to literature, CeballosLascurain (1993) is die one who first used the concept of ecotourism. He defined it as "a form of environmentally responsible tourism that involves travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas with die object of enjoying, admiring, and studying the nature (the scenery, wild plants, and animals), as well as any cultural aspect (both past and present) found in these areas, through a process which promotes conservation, has a low impact on the environment and on culture and favors the active and socioeconomically beneficial involvement of local communities".

Banerjee et al. (2002) identified potential ecotourism sites in eastern India usmg Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS techniques in forest dominated areas of western Midnapore, West Bengal. They prepared die final ecotourism capability map by overlaying die map layers of land use/land cover, soil fertility, and ecological features.

Bukenya et al. (2002) applied GIS to zone Uganda National Park (Bukenya, 2002). Dondo et al. (2003) performed a research entitled "GIS in tourism - A Zimbabwean perspective, the international archives of photogram m etry" to specify situation of the resort areas to die visitors. Changa et al. (2007) used the maps of topography, land cover/land use, and human resources to identify suitable areas for ecotourism developement (Changa, 2007).

2.2 Boolean Logic Model

In overlaying function, the Boolean logic operations are based on Boolean algebra in which die values of the variables are the truth values true and false. First used by Varomes in 1947, die Boolean model is a multi-conditional inquiry by which suitability maps could be presented as O and I subsets (Olazade, 2005). This model has a two-element set of suitability and unsuitability and there is no other state inthemiddle (SanaeiNejad, 1999).

2.3 Data collection and processing

In order to evaluate ecological capability of Ilam Province, the maps of land cover, slope, land use, and hydrology were used. The topographic map of the study area at die scale of 1:50,000 was used to extract some geom orphological features including faults, ridges, and elevation points. The slope map was extracted from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to specify areas with the slope of higher than 20%, which are suitable for rock climbing, hiking in steep terrain, mountaineering, and hillside climbing. The Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) LISS-III (Linear Imaging Self Scanning Sensor) sensor (with die spatial resolution of 23x23m) and ETM+ satellite images were prepared from die Geographical Organization of Iran in order extract land use and land cover map of the study area using ERDAS IMAGINE Software. It is worth mentioning that LISS-III sensor is an optical sensor working in four spectral bands of green, red, near infrared, and short wave infrared. It covers a 141 km-wide swath with a resolution of 23 metres in all spectral bands. The current land use map was obtained from the landsat satellite images dating to 2002. The isothermal map of the province was used to zone suitable temperature areas and to identify places with low temperature for winter activities such as skiing. Moreover, die slope and hillshade maps were used to identify the accumulation places of snow and ice as an important prerequisite for establishment of ski resort. It is worth noting that die mentioned maps were all prepared from die DEM. The drainage network map of die province at the scale of 1:250,000 was prepared from die Department of Environment (DOE). The map of fragile habitats and protected areas was obtained from Adminisfration of Environmental Protection in Ilam Province. The data was used for zoning authorized hunting and fishing areas. The map of historic attractions was prepared based on the comprehensive plan for feasibility study of typical tourism resorts conducted by Cultural Heritage Department of Ilam Province. These areas were represented as a point map taken by GPS from die study area.

2.4 Data processnig

After preparing all die required map layers, they were converted from vector into the raster format. After importing into die GIS, die map layers were scrutinized and converted into a unique coordinate system and die same cell size in order to make them standardized. Based on the DEM of the study area, the cell size was 90x90m. The data coordinate system was WGS84, Zone 38N. In Boolean logic, die units of each map layer are weighted based on die zero and one logic. In other words, each cell size of die final map is suitable or unsuitable for ecotourism development and there is no intermediate state. The logic is involved in two numbers; 0 and I, of which I represents suitability of a pixel size, while 0 shows unacceptable situation or unsuitability of a pixel size (Hall et al,1992). Tables I and 2 give the functions applied for overlaying each of the map layers. After weighting the map layers, the final ecotourism development map was prepared using Boolean logic. The spatial distribution of suitable tourism resorts are specified are presented on die final map.

3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Suitable zones for mountaineering, caving, and rock climbing

The suitable zones for caving in the Ilam F1Tovince include die areas with the height of over 1,800 m and a slope of 20% to 70% where there are pristine and natural caves. Covering 3.8% (75519 ha) of the entire area of die province, this zone embraces mountains Kabir Kouh, Manasht, Sivan Kouh, Ghalarang, Guachan, Dinar Kouh, and Ghalajeh (Ahmadi, 2009). These areas are located mainly in die central and southeastern province at the border between die cities of Abdanan and Dare Shahr, as well as in the northern and northwestern province parallel, to die main highlands and the boundary line of the Zagros. Figure 2demonstrats suitable zone for caving, rock climbing, and mountaineering: The upper right-side picture is Manasht Mountain situated in die northern Ilam. The mountain is one of the richest wildlife habitats in the province, even in Iran, which has die height of 2,629 m above sea level. In die bottom right photo, Varzin Peak is illustrated as the tallest point of Kabir Kouh Mountain as well as the highest point in die province. This mountain range extends as a great wall to the lengdi of 240 km playing an important role in plant and animal life of the Ilam Province. A large part of the area has high potential to rock climbing sport. This zone contains a large number of the county's well-known caves, one of which is Agha Cave has not been explored yet.

3.2 Suitable zones for hillside climbing and visiting natural landscapes

This zone includes 10.3%(189463 ha) of die total area of die province. The height of more than 800 m and less than 2050m and the slope ranges between 20% to 70% are the most important constraints in this zone so as only 46%(92731 ha) of die province is suitable for hillside climbmg. The average annual temperature of the zone varies between 12 0C to 20 °C. The rainfall ranges between 400 mm to 900 mm. Around 80%(151570 ha) of these hillsides are covered by woodlands, mainly extending m northern and central province. These areas have the greatest amount of ramfall in die province. The oak forests, beautiful rivers, and different pasture types offer unique sceneries to the visitors. These areas do not include the height of over 2050 m (in northern and central highlands) as well as gentle slopes and flat places in southern and border areas where are poor in terms of rainfall and land cover. Figure 3 depicts suitable zones for hillside climbing and visiting natural landscapes. The picture on die right shows the famous Arghavan Strait located at a distance of 3 km from the Ilam City. This zone is one of the most suitable herbal habitats in the province. It is also considered as one of the Iran's redbud species habitats. In fact,one of the densest oak forest reservoirs in the province and even in die country is located in this zone.

3.3 Suitable zones for ecotourism and individual or family camping

The suitable zone for ecotourism includes areas with beautiful sceneries. This zone covers 37.3%(592808 ha) of the entire study area. Having dense and semidense oak forest and permanent springs and streams, these areas can be a good place for ecotourism (Ahmadi, 2011) that mainly distributed in die northern province, these areas include Dalahou Forest Resort, Arghavan, Bankoul, Nam Tang, Tang Ghir, Dare Kalam, Tang Kafouri Resort, Tang Hianan, Khoran, Shesh Kalan, Mishkhas, the watershed of die Ilam Dam, and Dinar Mountain. The zone has die vastes area in die Counties Ilam, Ivan, Shirvan Chardavel, and Dare Shahr. and The zone has the highest rate of precipitation (864 mm m Chenarbashi and 750 mm in die hillsides of Sharezoul) due to the high altitude and western winds. Rare and unique plant and animal species in some areas (Manasht, Bankoul, Sheshkalan, and Kolam), beautiful natural landscapes, tectonic forms, karst land forms, diverse plant species (Mozaffarian, 2005), and pleasant climatological conditions provide die most suitable recreational zones in die county. Figure 4presents suitable zones for ecotourism and individual or family camping: The top right photo shows the recreation area of Bankoul m the Nordiem Province and die photo on the bottom depicts the recreation area of Malle Panjab as one of the most well-known resorts in the province.

3.4 Suitable zones for water sports, swimming, and fishing

This zone is scattered in many different places, including around 12.4% (280703 ha )of the entire area of the province. The River Samireh, die longest river m die province, Kangir River, Siah Gav Wetland, die water basm of the Dams Ilam, and Ranguvan are among important water sport resorts. These areas include mainly the 1500 m-periphery of the major rivers and springs. Figure 5 shows suitable zones for water sports, swimming, and fishing. The top right photo shows the artificial lake of the Ilam Dam while the bottom photo is one of the most amazing natural aquariums of Iran situated at die distance of 140 km far from die Ilam City resulted from the karst water discharge of Kabir Kouh Mountain. The aquarium has a depth of 30 m and die total area of both wetlands is less than I ha. This zone has been selected as one of the international target resorts.

3.5 Suitable zones for hunting

In these areas, fishing and hunting must be done with the permission and under certain conditions. This zone does not include the protected areas of Manasht and Gholarang in the western province. As mentioned earlier, it is not allowed to hunt in other areas of the province unless observation of the necessary conditions. This is to prevent poaching. This zone includes large parts of the province. Figure 6 illustrats suitable zones for controled hunting: The picture on the right is one of the Ilam's animal habitats. The hunting and fishing is done in this zone under specific conditions in the anticipated seasons. The limitation is severe in hunting of mammals due to a sharp decline in their numbers in recent years.

3.6 Suitable zones for visiting historical monuments

This zone covers historical places including Tange Ghir and Shams, presenting a combination of pristine natural landscapes and historical monuments. Among the historical target resorts in the province can be pointed to the Villages Sarabkalan, Zanjire Olia, and Sarab Kalam as well as Madakto Historical City and fringe areas of Abdanan. The beautiful natural landscape with historical monuments makes the area among foremost tourism resorts. This zone consists 0.6%(13282 ha) of the total area of the province. Figure 7 shows suitable zones for visiting historical monuments: The photo on the right is Madakto Ancient City dating to the fifth century BC.

3.7 Suitable zone for nature therapy

This zone includes areas in adjacent to die mineral springs. Covering approximately 0.1%(710 ha) of total area of die province, these areas are situated in Dehloran County (Dehloran Hot Spring, 3 Km away from die Dehloran County), Ilam County (Tang Bichar Hot Spring), and Dashtlag Hot Spring. Sulphurous hot springs with healing properties are located at a distance of 3 km from die Dehloran County, at die hillside of Siahkouh Mountain and in die vicinity of the Khofash (semantically equivalent to bat) Cave. Widi an approximate temperature of 50 0C, it contains hot springs and sludge therapy pools that are of particular health care importance. This is a very effective healing source for rheumatism, allergies, wounds, broken bones, and bruises (Figure 8).

3.8 Suitable zones for winter sports

The Ilam Province has high and dense mountains. The mountains with an altitude of over 3000 m are rarely observed in die province so that the mountains higher than 2000 m mclude less than 2% (8087 ha) of the total area of the province. There are few mountains in die province with die altitude of higher than 2600 m. Heavy snow showers in winter (more than 400 mm) have created a thick layer of snow on die mountains. The suitable areas for wmter sports constitute around 1.51% (8087 ha)of die total area of the province. Figure 9 gives suitable zone for winter sport. The photo on die right is one of the Kabir Mountain's peaks where is suitable for winter sports. The height of the top of the peak is 9 thousand feet where the rainfall exceeds 1000 mm per year. Heavy precipitations in winter provide that certain conditions for winter sports.

3.9 Final ecotourism zoning map

After overlaying the map layers using die Boolean model, the ecotourism land capability map was prepared. According to which, die Ilam Province is divided into small zones of 0, I, 2, 3, and 4 (Figure 10).

The zone No. 0: this zone has no potential for ecotourism developement. It includes 47% (1029652 ha)of the total area of the province. Homogeneous terrain in die southern and border areas creates a uniform landscape in die Zone 0. Accordingly, gentle slopes and die altitude of less than 800m, die zone has no potential to establish any of the tourism activities listed exept for the areas in die periphery of the rivers and the Dehloran Hot Spring,.

Zone No. I: this zone has die required potential for just one ecotourism activity. Including more than 26%(520612 ha) of die entire area, this zone has the largest extent in die province. It covers southern and border areas, die 1500m - periphery of the Rivers Doyraj, Meym eh, Gavi, and Changouleh. This zone can be seen in the southern province as a yellow spot including the Dehloran Hot Spring. The hillside climbing and water sports are among the tourism resorts of the zone.

Zone No. 2: this zone is mainly scattered in the central and Northern Province where the required potentials for the hillside claiming and ecotourism are provided and forest land cover reaches its greatest extent. The altitude of this zone ranges between 800 m to 2000 m and die rainfall varies from 400 mm to 800 mm. Constituting 17% (341325 ha)of the total area, this zone is seen as spots in other parts of the province.

Zone No. 3: As a long string, this zone is stretched from die northern to the central and southeastern province. It is situated in the hillside of the Kabir Mountain as well as the high mountains in die north with potentials for the ecotourism activities including mountaineering, caving, visiting natural landscapes, winter sports, and camping. The dense and semi-dense woodlands cover around 90% (58842 ha)of die zone. As the most suitable area for rock climbing sport, this zone is one of the pristine areas of the province including lush green slopes of the high mountains. It is among die rainiest regions of the province covered by oak forest with dense and semi-dense canopy and bulk volume rocks. Around 3.6% (65392 ha)of the total area of die zone is allocated to the zone 3.

Zone No. 4: this zone is usually observed as red spots throughout the central province where die highest elevation is 3062 m (Varzing) and die maximum precipitation is 863 mm (in Chenarbashi Village). Having a wilderness landscape, this zone has die required potential for die ecotourism activities including mountaineering, hillside climbing, visiting natural landscapes, ecotourism, and winter sports. This zone has the highest potential for ecotourism development compared to other areas. Aldiough the Ilam Province, with an area of 20000 km2, is considered as one of the smallest provinces of Iran, however, it has an incredible diversity of climatic and pedologic situations. It is a few kilometers away from the snow-capped mountains and includes warm plains, and die old oak and palm trees. In general, the different highlands compose the landscape of die Ilam Province. The mountain landscape with forested valleys is created one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in die region (Figure 10).

4. CONCLUSION

The results obtained from data analysis revealed that around 53%(1029652 ha) of the total area of the Ilam Province has the required potential for ecotourism activities such as mountaineering, caving, hillside climbing, nature therapy, winter sports, etc. In this study, the map layers including elevation, slope, land cover, hydrology and so on were overlaid using Boolean logic to determine land capability of the province for different ecotourism activities. According to the results, die ecotourism with die total area of more than 30% (592808 ha) allocates itself the maximum extent. This is due to rich land cover and forest areas of the province so that woodland and rangeland areas cover 30% (619179 ha) and 80% (1634634 ha) of the total area of the province, respectively. The second top priority tourism activity is hillside climbing due to high density of mountain areas covered by wilderness land cover m an area of 10.7%(186463 ha) with gentle slopes. The nature therapy with an area of less than 0. 1% (710 ha ) has the smallest extent in die study area. It is worth nothing that these zones were identified based on the rigorous approach of Boolean logic and it does not mean that other areas have a poor recreational potential. The other parts could also be evaluated from other points of view. What has been investigated in this research is to zone and introduce suitable sites in die form of an ecotourism map which can be used as a workplan for ecotourism development in die study area.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors would like to express their sincere appreciation to die proofreading services rendered by Ravian Danesh Mohit Company.

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(Recebido em junho de 2014. Aceito em novembro de 2014).