JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

Shortage of rainfall and also relatively high intensity precipitations in short-term are characteristics of arid regions of the world, such as central of Iran. Studies have indicated that massive flooding causes great loss of life and properties every year. Also, Water scarcity in arid and semiarid regions of the world will cause fragile living conditions in these areas. Therefore, it is needed to reduce runoff rates using actions such as dam construction or artificial recharge techniques. In this study, seven factors were applied such as the slope, surface permeability, transmissibility in alluvium, alluvial quality, land use, runoff volume and thickness of the unsaturated layer to determine suitable areas and site selection for flood spreading and artificial recharge in south of Kashan plain. After preparing the digital layers, criteria weights were determined using Fuzzy AHP. The weighted maps were acquired and merged together. Results indicated that land use criterion with the greatest weight (0.22) was determined as the first priority in the site selection for flood speading. The parameters of runoff volume, permeability, slope, depth of the unsaturated layer, alluvial quality, and transfer coefficient were accounted as the second to seventh priorities. 

Recently, catchments were considered as planning and management units for sustainable development in many issues. Catchment sources management is considered as a new principle for development planning and management of water and soil resources emphasizing on socio-economic characteristics of the region to sustainable livelihoods and without vulnerability of plant and the residents of an area. These objectives will be achieved when the proper management of resources and the management should be applied to decrease destructive processes and strengthen the improvement processes. Aiming at biological management of watershed resources with scenario building approach, this study has assessed and prioritized biological management options in the Delichay Catchment. With a choice of four biological management activities, 16 scenarios were developed in the study area. Then, criteria weighting was carried out using analytic hierarchy process and ultimately, the best management option was chosen using TOPSIS model. The results indicated that social, ecological, economic and physical criteria were respectively prioritized from one to four and scenario number 10 was determined as the best scenario and the first priority. Also, the results showed that the multi-criteria decision making techniques included capability of expressing different aspects of the problem and are perfect tools for integrated watershed resources management.