Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology

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Mohammadyari F, Mousazadeh R, Ramezani Mehrian M, Zarandian A. Spatial Economic Valuation of Habitat Quality Based on the InVEST Model in Khuzestan Province. Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology 2024; 13 (4) :85-100
URL: http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-1260-en.html

Ecosystem services (ES) are essential indicators for assessing the value of natural ecosystem conservation and play a critical role in implementinig management decisions within protected areas. This study aims to fill the existing gap in evaluating ecosystem performance through the application of the ES framework. The InVEST model was used to map and assess habitat quality (HQ) as an ecosystem service across Khuzestan Province. The analysis covered both urban-human-modified ecosystems and natural ecosystems within designated protected areas. The economic value of habitat quality in both ecosystem types was estimated using national and international datasets and applying the benefit transfer method based on spatial modeling outputs. Based on the modeling results, optimal habitats—defined by favorable rainfall, diverse vegetation, and remoteness from threats such as development and fragmentation—are mainly concentrated in the north, northeast, and east, with scattered patches in the south and center  of the province. The annual economic value of habitat quality and biodiversity is estimated at 62.02 trillion Rials for the entire province, and 6.44 trillion Rials within the protected areas.