Assessment of the Ecological Potential of Shaskoh Protected Area for Determining Suitable Ecotourism Sites

摘要

Assessment of the ecological potential in ecotourism industry is considered as an important tool for acquiring a proper tourism pattern and for avoiding possible undesirable consequences. Considering the ecological specifications of the area, in this study, the ecological potential of Shaskoh protected area was evaluated using systematic analyzing method and map overlapping which created uniform land units. A specific model for the area was determined using "Iranian model for ecotourism and protection", and eventually the ecological potential was evaluated after comparing it with proposed land uses. Analyses were performed using ArcGIS 9.3. According to results, majority of the area of study lacks potential for intensive tourism activities and only 0.04 % of total area (24.25 ha) is suitable for category 2 of tourism activities. 11.6 % (8326.18 ha) of the area has the potential for extensive tourism activities.