@article { author = {Bat, L. and Yesim Özkan, E. and Can Öztekin, H.}, title = {The contamination status of trace metals in Sinop coast of the Black Sea, Turkey}, journal = {Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {1-10}, year = {2015}, publisher = {University of Guilan}, issn = {1735-3033}, eissn = {1735-3866}, doi = {}, abstract = {The concentrations of some heavy metals in sediment from the Sinop coasts of the Black Sea were measured to monitor metal pollution in 2013. The distribution of the heavy metals in sediments of the Black Sea shows a variable pattern. The objectives of the present study were to elucidate the distribution heavy metals such as Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn, Fe, As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Co in sediment from Sinop coast of the Black Sea. The quality of sediment in the Black Sea, pollution levels of metal were evaluated using the enrichment factor technique (EF). The lowest EF values were between 0-5 in Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Cd, Pb, Mn and Co. These values did not have statistically significant differences. As, Cr and Hg concentrations were estimated relatively higher enrichment values than other metals. The results indicated that contamination of surface sediments in Sinop Coast is dominated As (10.2-7.4 mg.kg-1), Cr (67-374 mg.kg-1) and Hg (0.07-0.03 mg.kg-1) and to a lesser extent Cu (7.24-5.09 mg.kg-1), Fe (1.76-1.12%), Zn (19.3-13.8 mg.kg-1), Ni (16.2-12.5 mg.kg-1), Cd (0.06-0.04 mg.kg-1), Pb (7.12-6.32 mg.kg-1), Mn (470-227 mg.kg-1), Co (9.5-5.9 mg.kg-1). Also, the requirement of age determination is of great importance to assess the extent of the anthropogenic contribution to pollution.}, keywords = {Black Sea,Enrichment factor,Heavy metal,Sediment,Sinop coast,Turkey}, url = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_112.html}, eprint = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_112_4a666ae9d2870de30036717ef4f9a5d0.pdf} } @article { author = {Zareian, H. and Esmaeili, H.R. and Zamanian Nejad, R. and Vatandoust, S.}, title = {Hemiculter leucisculus (Basilewsky, 1855) and Alburnus caeruleus Heckel, 1843: new data on their distributions in Iran}, journal = {Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {11-20}, year = {2015}, publisher = {University of Guilan}, issn = {1735-3033}, eissn = {1735-3866}, doi = {}, abstract = {This paper provides information on the geographic distributions of two cyprinid species: Hemiculter leucisculus (Basilewsky, 1855) and Alburnus caeruleus Heckel, 1843, in the world and the entire drainage systems in Iran. The new distribution records were taken from Maroon River (Jarrahi River system) and Chardaval River (Karkheh river system), both in Tigris River basin showing wide and narrow distribution ranges of these two cyprinid fishes, respectively. The main introduction sites and distribution range  of H. leucisculus is the southern parts of the Caspian Sea basin in Iran from where it has probably been translocated to other Iranian basins along with exotic Chinese carps. Although A. caeruleus is native to Tigris River basin, it had been already recorded only from Gamasiab and Doab rivers in 2009 in Karkheh River system (Tigris) and thus the present study extends its distribution range. In case of alien species, human-mediated fish introductions may increase faunal similarity among primary drainages due to a strong tendency for taxonomic homogenization caused primarily by the widespread introduction of cyprinid fishes. Fish faunal homogenization might be highest in drainages (e.g. Caspian Sea and Tigris basins) subjected to the greatest degree of disturbance associated with human settlement, infrastructure and change in land use. The provided data might be used in conservation program of freshwater fishes of Iran.}, keywords = {Freshwater fishes,species invasions,translocation,biogeography}, url = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_113.html}, eprint = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_113_ff72a91003c3768ca82efa4edfcf8b2a.pdf} } @article { author = {Mirzakhah, M. and Naderi, S. and Rezaei, H.R. and Fadakar, D. and Naseri, M.}, title = {Phylogeny of gazelles in some islands of Iran based on mtDNA sequences: Species identification and implications for conservation}, journal = {Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {21-30}, year = {2015}, publisher = {University of Guilan}, issn = {1735-3033}, eissn = {1735-3866}, doi = {}, abstract = {Different species of gazelles are among the most endangered mammals on the Asian steppes and occur in the central, southern and northwestern regions of Iran. The previous conservation efforts in this region have been incomplete due to confusion about the phylogenetic relationship among various populations. So that, different conservation programs such as ex-situ breeding and transfer of captive stocks to potential conservation units encountered the fundamental difficulties. This paper provides a phylogenetic study based on the analysis of Cytochrome b gene of mitochondrial DNA sequences in a number of individuals collected from the four wild island gazelles population (Kish, Kharg, Hormoz and Hengam) in the south of Iran which are applicable in phylogenetic studies and species identification  for conservation. After comparing the obtained and retrieved sequences of Genbank in MEGA5 Software and then tracing a related phylogenetic tree, we found two different species in four islands. Therefore, from phylogenetic point of view, Kharg and Kish Islands’ populations belong to Iranian gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) and Hengam and Hormoz Islands’ populations are Jebeer or Indian gazelle (Gazella bennettii). Thus, for these two different species, separate conservation programs should be taken to manage populations of these regions and to prevent the exchange gazelles between these Islands.}, keywords = {Gazella bennettii,Gazella subgutturosa,Islands,Phylogeny,Cytochrome b,mtDNA}, url = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_114.html}, eprint = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_114_e8a20aeb82f28eebdbe7209c56a7f4d8.pdf} } @article { author = {Sourinejad, I. and Nikkhah Khaje Ataei, S. and Kamrani, E. and Ghodrati Shojaei, M.}, title = {Feeding habits of yellowfin seabream, Acanthopagrus latus in the northern region of the Persian Gulf}, journal = {Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {31-39}, year = {2015}, publisher = {University of Guilan}, issn = {1735-3033}, eissn = {1735-3866}, doi = {}, abstract = {Feeding habits of yellowfin seabream, Acanthopagrus latus was investigated in coastal waters of the Northern Persian Gulf. This investigation was conducted by monthly sampling of thirty fish from September 2011 through August 2012. Fish size ranged from 17.98 ± 2.07 to 32.31 ± 6.52 cm in total length and from 134.01 ± 45.62 to 720.46 ± 292.58 g in weight. The highest value of gastro-somatic index was obtained in September (5.22 ± 0.04) and the lowest in December (1.61 ± 0.03) with annual average of 2.50 ± 0.60. The result of gastro-somatic index revealed that the highest feeding activity of A. latus was during autumn. The highest level of vacuity index was observed in summer (34.95 ± 4.71) and the lowest in autumn (25.88 ± 2.71) indicating that the highest number of empty stomachs was in summer. Annual average of vacuity index was 30.14 ± 5.72 exhibiting that A. latus was comparatively gluttonous in the Northern Persian Gulf. Bivalves and shrimps were the major food items found in the stomach of A. latus showing food preference indices of 45.86% and 30.67%, respectively. Other food items included crabs (12.66%), aquatic plants (4.05%), animal derivatives (4.52%) and gastropods (2.23%). According to the results, animal derivatives, aquatic plants and gastropods were eaten accidentally and were not the food items of A. latus in coastal waters of Hormozgan. The average relative length of gut was 1.41 ± 0.15 showing that A. latus was omnivorous in this region.}, keywords = {Acanthopagrus latus,Feeding habits,Gastro-somatic index,Persian Gulf}, url = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_200.html}, eprint = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_200_7096027dc1d74a4b7c1f0f67fa2423db.pdf} } @article { author = {Reihanian, A. and Hin, T.W. and Kahrom, E. and Binti Mahmood, N.Z.}, title = {A framework for implementing sustainable tourism in national parks of Iran: development and use of sustainable tourism indica-tors in Boujagh National Park, Iran}, journal = {Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {41-52}, year = {2015}, publisher = {University of Guilan}, issn = {1735-3033}, eissn = {1735-3866}, doi = {}, abstract = {Despite the fact that national parks and other protected areas are mostly adopting the sustainable development process, it was found that sustainability has yet to be perceived pragmatically in these areas. Due to its process, this paper presents a monitoring framework approach to develop and implement indicators for sustainable tourism. To illustrate the application of the framework, a set of indicators were developed and used by way of an iterative Delphi survey conducted to seek expert opinions on the sustainability indicators to monitor tourism development in Boujagh National Park. This park was the subject of a case study, even though with lack of data. The results of this research confirmed in developing a set of 20 indicators, which emphasised on issues related to visitor satisfaction, economy, environment and society. It is the first step in a long-term process toward developing adapted indicators for national park monitoring and will allow decision-makers to enhance the sustainability of tourism development in Boujagh National Park.}, keywords = {sustainable tourism indicator,monitoring,Boujagh National Park,Delphi}, url = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_202.html}, eprint = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_202_cf7d8a71824a9908525a595528d79411.pdf} } @article { author = {Gholami, V. and Darvari, Z. and Mohseni Saravi, M.}, title = {Artificial neural network technique for rainfall temporal distribu-tion simulation (‍‍Case study: Kechik region)}, journal = {Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {53-60}, year = {2015}, publisher = {University of Guilan}, issn = {1735-3033}, eissn = {1735-3866}, doi = {}, abstract = {Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have become one of the most promising tools for rainfall simulation since a few years ago. However, most of the researchers have focused on rainfall intensity records as well as on watersheds, which generally are utilized as input records of other hydro-meteorological variables. The present study was conducted in Kechik station, Golestan Province (northern Iran). The normal multi-layer perceptron form of ANN (MLP–ANN) was selected as the baseline ANN model. The efficiency of GDX, CG and L–M training algorithms were compared to improve computed performances. The inputs of ANN included temperature, evaporation, air pressure, humidity and wind velocity in a 10 minute increment The results revealed that  the L–M algorithm was more efficient than the CG and GDX algorithm, so it was used for training six ANN models for rainfall intensity forecasting. The results showed that all of the parameters were proper inputs for simulating rainfall, but temperature, evaporation and moisture were the most important factors in rainfall occurrence.}, keywords = {Intensity,Rainfall,Algorithm,ANN,Kechik station}, url = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_203.html}, eprint = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_203_23db44ea77c32ed10794f86ab127f630.pdf} } @article { author = {Azizov, A. and Suleymanov, S. and Salavatian, M.}, title = {The features of the feeding of Caspian marine shad, Alosa braschnikowii (Borodin, 1904) in western part of the Caspian Sea}, journal = {Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {77-83}, year = {2015}, publisher = {University of Guilan}, issn = {1735-3033}, eissn = {1735-3866}, doi = {}, abstract = {Feeding habits of Caspian marine shad Alosa braschnikowii (Borodin, 1904), inhabiting in the western part of Caspian Sea such as prey spectrum and seasonal dynamics have been studied. As in other parts of Caspian Sea, throughout the year, the main hunt of Caspian marine shad constituted kilkas, gobies and shrimps while other groups of zoobenthos were represented in a lesser extent. Importance of other fishes and zoobenthos in the diet of Caspian marine shad is influenced by their ecological morpho-functional peculiarities. Seasonal changes of species composition and proportions of fodder food items are caused by life cycles of fishes and migrations of fodder entities. The changes of food composition depending length of fishes, the depth and haul region are analyzed. Caspian marine shad most intensively feeds in spring (March – April) before spawning and in summer (July) after spawning.}, keywords = {Feeding,Caspian marine shad,Kilka,gobies,shrimps,amphipods}, url = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_206.html}, eprint = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_206_0cbe378349f4793f3123ffca2596990c.pdf} } @article { author = {Akhavan, R. and Kia-Daliri, H. and Etemad, V.}, title = {Geostatistically estimation and mapping of forest stock in a natural unmanaged forest in the Caspian region of Iran}, journal = {Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences}, volume = {13}, number = {1}, pages = {61-76}, year = {2015}, publisher = {University of Guilan}, issn = {1735-3033}, eissn = {1735-3866}, doi = {}, abstract = {Estimation and mapping of forest resources are preconditions for management, planning and research. In this study, we applied kriging interpolation of geostatistics for estimation and mapping of forest stock at-tributes in a natural, uneven-aged, unmanaged forest in the Caspian region of northern Iran. The site of the study has an area of 516 ha and an elevation that ranges from 1100 to 1450 m a.s.l. Field sampling was per-formed on a 75m × 200m systematic grid using 309 geo-referenced circular sample plots of 1000 m2 area. Experimental variograms were calculated and plotted for basal area (BA), volume (V) and stem density (N). Whereas the calculated variograms of BA and V exhibited spatial auto-correlation only after data stratification based on diameter size classes and tree species, the variogram of stem density displayed a moderate spatial structure that was fitted by a spherical model. Stem density was estimated by ordinary block kriging and the accuracy of estimation was validated by cross-validation result. We conclude that geostatistical approaches have the potential to more accurately capture and describe the spatial variability of forest stock, and thus reduce the uncertainty in estimates of stem density as well as produce more accurate stem density maps of forests in comparison with the spatially uninformed classic method. Geostatistical methods provide a very suitable tool to derive more accurate estimates of growing stock, particularly in structurally complex, unmanaged, uneven-aged forest such as this one from the Caspian region of northern Iran.}, keywords = {Geostatistics,mapping,forest stock,unmanaged forest,Caspian region,Iran}, url = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_1191.html}, eprint = {https://cjes.guilan.ac.ir/article_1191_fdd3389bd4516958a4096d5f5a2dca30.pdf} }