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 Evaluating the ecological capability and determining the natural capacity as well as appropriate planning and management actions ensure the sustainable utilization of the ecosystems. The aim of this study was to assess the ecotourism potential of the middle Taleghan located in the Alborz province. According to the importance of the ecotourism potential criteria, two groups of highly important factors (distance from attractive places, accessibility and path and topography) and less important factors (vegetation, soil erosion, distance from water resources and temperature) were determined. The spatial variables were classified, rated and overlaid for the whole studied area using geographic information system (GIS). According to the results, 3936/1 hectares (10/36%) classified as S₁ class, 12309 hectares (32/42%) classified as S₂ class, 14797/52 hectares (38/96%) classified as S₃ class and 6934/5 hectares (18/26%) categorized in N classes. Results indicated that distance from attractive places, road and paths availability and vegetation in some vegetation types were the main limiting factors. Temperature, distance from water resources, topography and soil erosion were identified as the important factors to enhance the ecotourism capacity of the studied area.

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Determining the recreational appropriatness of rangeands based on their ecological potentials is vital for ecotourism management. Ecological potentials should be evaluated to achieve an appropriate ecotorism planning. This study aimed to provid a model for evaluating ecotourim suitability using GIS in Venae basin, Boroujerd County, Lorestan province, Iran. The effective sub-criteria on ecotorism suitability were identified using literature review, questioners from exporters and tourists. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to weight and evaluate these factors or sub-criteria on rangeland recreational appropriateness. Expret Choice software was used to conduct AHP. Digital information map, slope, aspect, satellite map and so on were overlaid by ArcGIS^© software.  The ecotourism suitability sub-criteria were categorized into two main physical and biotic criteria.  Twenty two sub-criteria were evaluated based on the specific ecotourism type, and their spatial maps were produced and combined. According to the AHP synthesis, sensitivity to soil erosion was identified as the most important sub-criteria (with relative weight of 0.431) from physical criteria for ecotourism suitability and distance from city and camping were not identified as important sub-criteria with relative weight as low as 0.028. Security and residents charcteristics were also identified as the most and least important sub-criteria for ecotourism suitability among biotic criteria  with relative weight of 0.56 and 0.33  respectively. Results indicated that 1457 hectares (24.85 percent) of the study area was classified as highly suitable for eotourism (S1), 1751 hectares (29.86 percent) classified as S2, 1200 hectares (20.46 percent) classified as S3 and 1456 hectares (24.85 percent) were classified as unsuitable (N) for ecotourism purposes. In summary, the physiographic condition of the study area such as high slope and mountainous land units were identified as the most limiting factors of ecotourim suitability. Specific landscape, high mountain peaks, plant diversity, gardens, orchards and plantation were aslo identified as sub-criteria that improve ecotourim suitability in the study area. The limitation of slope sub-criteria for ecotourism suitability can be decreased by providing walking trails appropriate for tourists in the area.

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Geno Biospher is in cross two Khalig- Omani & Iran –Torani region cross together. It has lots of rangelands with trees and with more than 60% plant species of Hormozgan. In this study, the original goal is evaluating potential of Geno rangelands for ecotourism use to preventing degrade. In every special region in every type, we use 4 transects with 200 meter and we put 15 plot 1*1 m² with 100 meter distance. Then production was estimated with cut & weight method and final plant cover map was prepared. Map rules was based according life-environment units and with using systemic method in Arc GIS9.2 environment, all data layers overlay together and ecotourism ecologic potential map was prepared with Makhdom ecological models. Finally results show that 10.84% or 61.04ha is proper for concentrated recreation 1& 2 levels and 40.64% or18067.01 ha is proper for open recreation. According research result and attention to 40.64% of range surface that protect and they has open recreation potential too, this rangeland can use for ecotourism, plant and animal researching, mountain climbing, looking bird, looking at wild animal and paraglider for scientific and public tourisms.
 

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Evaluating ecological and ecotourism capability along with proper planning can lead to sustainable utilization of natural areas. This study aimed to use five unique indicators of ecotourism including Wildlife Distribution Index (WDI), Ecotourism Attraction Index (EAI), Environmental Attraction Index (ERI), Infrastructure Facility Index (IFI), and the Ecotourism Diversity Index (EDI) to identify and prioritize potential ecotourism development in Dena County, with more than 90% of natural areas including rangelands and forests. Primary maps including altitude, habitat of wildlife, vegetation type and density, land use and land cover, slope, geographic aspect, rock and soil sensitivity to erosion, landslide and earthquake sensitivity, tourist attraction features and infrastructure along with maps of the specific hybrid indices of ecotourism potential assessment were produced in the GIS environment and classified based on the ecotourism capabilities. The relative importance of the indices on the ecotourism capability of the study area was determined using the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP), and linear weighting method of hybrid indices. The results showed that the percentages allocated to suitable classes (S1), relatively suitable (S2), to some extent suitable (S3) and unsuitable (S4) of ecotourism development in the study area were 7, 85, 7, and 0.001 percent respectively. Some 12400 hectare as good potential for ecotourism development distributed evenly in the study area. Very low unsuitable class of ecotourism development of the study area implies the pristine and high capacity of this area for ecotourism purposes. This result indicates investment for ecotourism improvements in this area is highly required.
 

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Creation of a side-by-side and consolidated economic activities will improve the livelihoods and economic status of the tribes. Development of Ecotourism could be a response to this need of nomads. This research was conducted in the central Lar region of Alborz mountains. Comparing and prioritizing of nomadic tourism on the indicators of sustainable livelihoods of local communities was the main focus of the study. AHP method was used to question priorities and importance of the indicators. Experienced experts and local people were used to fill in the questioners on sustainable livelihoods influenced by indigenous development in nomadic areas. Also, after prioritizing sustainability criteria and indicators, to compare the average rating of the priorities, mean difference test is used. The results showed that from the expert’s point of view nature and ecological capital with the final weight of 0.35 are most important elements while local users believe that economic investment with the final weight of 0.39 will mostly affected by the development of nomadic tourism. Ranking of indicators show that development of nomadic tourism is at the top and other criteria are in the next rank. Also, the results showed that for 14 indices i.e. environmental pollution, wildlife presence, plant species diversity, tribes trust each other, women's presence and role, employment level, variety of manufactured products, creating marketplaces and access to electricity and telephone, there is significant disagreements. It could be concluded that prior to development of ecotourism in the region, infrastructure’s by economic and cultural means should be built.

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Biodiversity status as a major element of rangelands’ ecosystems is very important. Presence of human as a tourist on nature lands in many cases seems to be destructive and harmful to the biodiversity. Therefore, it could be said that one of the negative factors affecting the biodiversity is what is known as mismanaged ecotourism. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ecotourism on the richness and diversity of vegetation in Kalasak rangelands. To do the experiment three regions selected at high, medium and low tourism activities. Selection was made on the basis of changes in vegetation type/composition, distance from the roads and city and access to facilities. For sampling, transects and plots were used. Four transects of 200 meters, having 10 plots of 1 square meter alongside, were randomly put on the each region. Samples eventually were taken from 160 plots. Systematic random method was used for vegetation sampling. The results showed that the highest species richness (For Menhinic 1/75 and for Margalof 1/68) and diversity index (For Shannon Wiener 4/50 and for Simpson 0/68) is related to low tourism pressure areas. For the region with a high tourism intensity, the lowest amount (Menhinic 0/9 and Margalof 1/1 and diversity index for Shannon-Wiener 2/75 and Simpson 0/21) were seen. Therefore, in order to preserve the richness and species diversity, it is suggested that tourism pressure be kept as low or medium as possible. If that is not possible for the areas where tourism pressure is high temporary cease of use and rehabilitation activities are suggested. Also, it is suggested that specific hiking routes be made for tourists to prevent destruction of vegetation by non-planned roads.

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Rangeland pastoral units of Iran with abundant ecotourism attractions and rich culture of the local community could provide a basis for ecotourism activities. The main purpose of this study is to develop a suitability classification model for rangeland pastoral units from the Social-cultural dimension’s point of view. The study may help on development of ecotourism, with emphasis on the rangeland pastoral units of Ilam province. The method is based on descriptive-analytical and surveying methods (surveys of experts and researchers). The Delphi method was used to identify the components and indicators of the Social-cultural dimension of ecotourism development. Interviews, reviewing related literature and field visits showed that 73 indicators are important. Indicators were classified into eight classes. Results were reviewed by a panel of experts having 31 members from six groups of stakeholders, interested in tourism affairs and ecotourism. Finally, those Indicators with mean greater than 3, SD less than 1 and CV less than 0.3 were selected. The outcome of the study showed that 6 components namely security, culture and traditions, mental and emotional, partnership and solidarity, ownership, potential capacities plus 31 indicators were suitable for monitoring and assessing the suitability of rangeland pastoral units for development of ecotourism. Among the indices for the mental and emotional component the following were outstanding (mean of 4.81) "degree of local community motivation to preserve, stabilize and revive ritual, art, indigenous architecture and handicrafts. From the component of culture and traditions wedding and funeral ceremonies and security within the properties from security component were considered as the advantages of the area on ecotourism development.

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Rangeland ecosystems have many valuable functions, the value of the most of these functions yet unclear. The aim of this study was the determination of tourism value of Maleshoure and Gurgo rangelands in Boyer Ahmad city using individual’s willingness to pay.  To investigate the factors affecting the individual’s willingness to pay, The logit regression model was used.  Data extraction was carried out using a two-dimensional method, required data were collected by filling in a questionnaire and interviewing 150 visitors from the mentioned area. Based on the results of the model, nightly accommodation variables such as cost, household income, satisfaction with welfare services and the proposed rental rate were significant. These are the most effective factors in the number of visitors WTP for using the rangelands of the region. The results showed that 64 % of visitors are willing to pay for recreation. Results showed that the average WTP is equal to 25984 Rials. Also, the annual recreational value of this region was about 259840 Rials per hectare which could be sumup fot the whole atea as 1852 million Rials. This indicates that attention of visitors to the recreational resources of the area is heigh. Due to recreational value of the study area, it is suggested that policy makers, to increase the budget pay more attention on this factor. Also, tourism can play an important role in increasing the income of the rangers.

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Background and objectives: Ecotourism is a powerful approach to economic development and nature conservation. It induces positive behavioral changes in both local residents and tourists, fostering the preservation of natural and cultural resources. This study aims to model and rank areas with ecotourism potential in the rangelands of Mazandaran province.
Methodology: Utilizing Makhdoom's system method, the study evaluates the ecotourism potential of Western Rangelands in Mazandaran province. Environmental and ecological factors were identified and mapped. These maps were then analyzed, summarized, and integrated using GIS, based on the Makhdoom model, to classify the area's recreational potential. Modeling involved correlating recreational potential with environmental and recreational factors using data mining techniques: artificial neural networks (ANN), random forests, and support vector machines (SVM), facilitated by STATISTICA software. Independent variables included slope, direction, elevation, soil, vegetation, water resources, access routes, lithology, distance to faults, power lines, and proximity to urban areas. The dependent variable was ecotourism potential. Map preparation, modification, and classification were performed in ArcGIS 10.8.2, with statistical data analysis in Excel.
Results: According to the final recreation plan, Chenarbon rangeland with an area of 292/1514 hectares has the possibility of extensive recreation of the second floor. In Dasht-Lashak, 46.51% has the possibility of extensive recreation on the second floor and 53.49% is unsuitable for recreation, also in the rangeland of Islamabad, 75.2% has the potential for extensive recreation on the second floor and 24.98% is unsuitable for recreation.   According to the final recreation map, 96.19% of the second floor has extensive recreation capacity in the Kohneh-Lashak rangeland and 3.81% is unsuitable for recreation. Kojour rangeland with 87.24% has the possibility of extensive recreation of the second floor and 12.76% of the rangeland is unsuitable for recreation. Largan rangeland with 12.54% has the capacity of extensive recreation of the second floor and 87.46% is unsuitable for recreation, and finally, Piedeh rangeland with 57.31% has the capacity for extensive recreation of the second floor and 42.69% is unsuitable for recreation. 65.83% of the area is suitable for recreation and 34.17% of the area is unsuitable for recreation. Based on the value of the explanation coefficient, the most appropriate model among the three different algorithms investigated is the ANN model with the BFGS algorithm with the 8-10-1 MLP network with the number of 8 input layers, 10 hidden layers, and one output layer in modeling and (R2=0.94, RMSE=9.99% and BIAS=0.02%) were selected.
Conclusion: The study confirms that non-parametric algorithms provide highly accurate evaluations of ecotourism potential. It is recommended to use data mining techniques to design ecotourist services, meeting their basic needs while preserving nature.