Mapping desertification potential using life cycle assessment method: a case study in Lorestan Province, Iran

Abstract

Abstract: In recent year, desertification has become one of  the most important environmental hazards all
over the world, especially in developing countries such as Iran. Understanding the factors impacting on
desertification and identifying the regions with high desertification potential are essential to control this
phenomenon (i.e., desertification). The life cycle assessment (LCA) method is essential in assessing the
desertification of  ecosystems, especially for susceptible ecosystems with high degradation risks. The aim of
the present study was to evaluate the desertification potential of  Lorestan Province, Iran, based on the LCA
method. We selected aridity, fire and dust as three indicators of  desertification and collected data from 2000
to 2015. We divided the study area into 6 types of  ecoregions according to the climate types (arid, semi-arid
and dry sub-humid) and dominant species (Quercus brantii and Astragalus adscendens), and calculated the
characteristic factor (CF) of  each indicator (aridity, fire and dust) by combining the indicator layers and
ecoregion layer of  the study area. In a given ecoregion, the sum of CF values of aridity, dust and fire
indicators represents the life cycle inventory (LCI) desertification value (the higher the LCI value, the greater
the desertification potential). Then, we obtained the desertification potential map by combining and
overlapping the ecoregions and the normalized indicators based on the LCA method. Aridity and fire
exhibit significant impacts on desertification in the study area compared with dust. In the study area,
semi-arid ecoregion with Quercus brantii as the dominant species is the largest ecoregion, while arid ecoregion
with Quercus brantii as the dominant species is the smallest ecoregion. Arid ecoregion with Astragalus
adscendens as the dominant species (LCI desertification value of  1.99) and dry sub-humid ecoregion with
Quercus brantii as the dominant species (LCI desertification value of  0.79) show the highest and lowest
desertification potentials, respectively. Furthermore, arid ecoregion with Quercus brantii as the dominant
species also has a higher LCI desertification value (1.89), showing a high desertification potential. These
results suggest the necessity of  proper management and appropriate utilization in these ecoregions. In
general, assessing desertification potential using the LCA method on a local and regional scale can possibly
provide a new methodology for identifying and protecting areas with high degradation risks.