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Abstract
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Aims: This study aims to economically value and assess multiple threats to the water and soil resources of the Karkheh National Park and Karkheh Protected Area in the southwest of Iran. Materials & Methods: Modeling water budget, runoff, soil erosion, and water pollution potential was performed using the WaterWorld Policy Support System (WWPSS), a processbased hydrological model that utilizes remotely sensed and globally available. The economic value has been calculated using the Substitute Cost Method for 2021. Findings: The result showed that the southern area of the Karkheh River basin experienced the minimum precipitation, which has led to a decrease in vegetation and an increase in runoff generation in the southern areas. The total runoff generated in the river basin is based on the upstream-downstream relationships from the north to the south, estimated at 81000648 m3 .yr-1. The soil erosion rate spiked in the southern area with the decline of vegetation, and the intensification of runoff could result in water pollution. Economic valuation represents the actual value of water generation in the whole Karkheh National Park and Protected Area, which was US$ 0.104 million, estimated at US$ 6.63 per hectare. In addition, the soil conservation economic value in the entire Karkheh National Park and Protected Area was US$ 9.3 million and US$ 912.2 per hectare. Conclusion: This information provides valuable awareness of the economic value of natural resources and can help environmental assessors’ in their activities related to conservation planning. It is a valuable tool for emphasizing the economic implications of ecosystem degradation and can help with sustainable management.
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