Articles in Press
Back to the articles list |
Back to browse issues page
1- Expert at the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Technology, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Forest and Rangeland Research Devision, Kermanshah Province Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AEERO), Kermanshah, Iran. ,mjavanmiri@ut.ac.ir
2- Assistant Professor, Forest and Rangeland Research Devision, Kermanshah Province Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AEERO), Kermanshah, Iran. ,
Abstract: (26 Views)
Roads and access routes are among the main factors in the development of tourism and ecotourism. The ease of access to tourist sites and the reception of visitors largely depend on the development of roads. The present study examines the interactive effects of two indices—slope (as a limiting factor) and roads (as a guiding factor)—in relation to tourism in the Patam section of the Kheyrud Forest in Nowshahr. Alongside field surveys regarding the patterns of tourist presence and the identification of viewpoints, the study investigates the importance and impacts of access routes.
To conduct this research, field data were first collected using GPS to record the locations of routes. The spatial data were then optimized in ArcView software based on topographic maps, and new routes with suitable slopes were designed. Using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and slope analysis of the area, the slope map was classified into three categories, and road buffer zones at 100, 200, and 300 meters were analyzed. The slope and accessibility layers were evaluated and weighted by experts, and then overlaid to produce a final map showing the suitability of areas for ecotourism development.
The results showed that most tourists were located and moved within the 100-meter buffer zone of the roads. With the design of a 2.8 km walking trail and its connection to existing roads, 42% of viewpoints also became accessible. The total length of routes increased from 17.3 to 25.5 km, and road density rose to 28.3 meters per hectare. Despite the steep slopes in the area, the creation of these routes enabled access. The tourism suitability map indicated that 55% of the Patam area falls into the “very good” and “good” categories of suitability, located within the 100-meter road buffer. This highlights the importance of roads and access routes and demonstrates that, with the presence of roads, slope is no longer a limiting factor for tourist visitation.
To conduct this research, field data were first collected using GPS to record the locations of routes. The spatial data were then optimized in ArcView software based on topographic maps, and new routes with suitable slopes were designed. Using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and slope analysis of the area, the slope map was classified into three categories, and road buffer zones at 100, 200, and 300 meters were analyzed. The slope and accessibility layers were evaluated and weighted by experts, and then overlaid to produce a final map showing the suitability of areas for ecotourism development.
The results showed that most tourists were located and moved within the 100-meter buffer zone of the roads. With the design of a 2.8 km walking trail and its connection to existing roads, 42% of viewpoints also became accessible. The total length of routes increased from 17.3 to 25.5 km, and road density rose to 28.3 meters per hectare. Despite the steep slopes in the area, the creation of these routes enabled access. The tourism suitability map indicated that 55% of the Patam area falls into the “very good” and “good” categories of suitability, located within the 100-meter road buffer. This highlights the importance of roads and access routes and demonstrates that, with the presence of roads, slope is no longer a limiting factor for tourist visitation.
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
