به‌کارگیری ماتریس ارزیابی اثرات سریع (RIAM) به منظور ارزیابی اثرات اقدامات آبخیزداری در آبخیز خانیک گناباد

Introduction and Objective:
Due to the importance of implementing watershed projects and the many consequences of these projects, today it is no longer possible to consider the implementation of these projects in different areas apart from the consequences and results of these projects on the livelihood of the residents and their needs. To achieve beneficial results and increase efficiency, it is necessary to evaluate the results and effects of watershed measures. Assessing the impacts of natural resource and watershed management projects on the conservation and sustainable use of forests and rangelands is an important implementation tool for managers and implementers of such projects, as it not only measures and explains the progress of projects, but also identifies the effects of such policies and projects on the sustainable livelihoods of various groups, especially rural people. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of knowing and evaluating the effectiveness of the watershed management measures carried out by the General Department of Natural Resources of Khorasan Razavi province from the perspective of experts in the Khanik Gonabad watershed located in Khorasan Razavi province.
Materials and Methods:
In this study, Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) and Analytical Hierarchy (AHP) methods were used to evaluate the effects of watershed measures. When there is no access to reliable data in the evaluation process and decision-making is based on incomplete secondary data, the evaluation tends to be subjective. In order to solve such a problem, the RIAM method, by defining standard criteria and scales, has been able to provide a permanent record of events in a decision-making process using a simple matrix. RIAM can also be used as a powerful method for watershed management assessment projects due to its simple structure, high ability in deep analysis, high accuracy, flexibility, and ability to perform an objective evaluation. For this purpose, in the form of field studies and comprehensive studies of the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Razavi Khorasan province, information about the measures taken in the Khanik watershed area was prepared. Then, using the RIAM method, the effect of the measures taken was evaluated. In this study, important and influential factors were classified into four economic, social, physical and ecological sectors. Each of the factors was scored based on the importance of the situation and time value. The method of ranking is that by multiplying the sub-criteria related to the importance of the situation, the total value of this criterion is determined. For the time value criterion, its subcriteria are added together. After obtaining these criteria, the environmental score of the project is calculated by multiplying these two criteria together.
Results and Discussion:
The results of the impact assessment of the measures taken using the rapid impact assessment matrix in the Khanik watershed showed that among the four indicators examined in this study, the effects of these projects have insignificant positive impacts and changes (+A) in terms of the two social and ecological indicators, low positive impacts and changes (+B) in terms of the economic indicator, and moderate positive impacts and changes (+C) in terms of the physical indicator. Also, the results of examining the effects of the measures taken in the Khanik watershed in terms of sub-indices showed that among the 22 sub-indices examined in this study, these measures had a neutral effect (ineffective) (N) in terms of three sub-indices (increasing the price of garden and agricultural land, creating a suitable cultivation bed, and affecting the method of irrigation), in terms of 12 sub-indices (increasing garden and agricultural production, creating employment, increasing the number and production of livestock, returning, migrants from the city to the countryside, reducing the migration of villagers to other areas, social conflicts and conflicts, water supply for agricultural wells, controlling siltation, correcting the slope of the waterway, sedimentation, impact on fodder production, and impact on green space), in terms of three sub-indices (increasing the area of ​​garden and agricultural land, participation in the maintenance and implementation of the project, and impact on landscapes and landscapes), in terms of two sub-indices (tourism potential and increasing water supply), in terms of springs) has a positive and moderate effect (+C) and in terms of examining the two sub-indicators (increasing the water flow of the aqueduct, flood control) it has a positive and definite effect (+D). In general, examining the effects of constructing three earthen dams in the Khanik watershed showed that these measures have positive but low effects (+B).
Conclusion and Suggestions:
The results of determining the weight of the criteria and sub-criteria using the hierarchical analysis of Khanik village showed that the physical criterion with a weight of 0.445 has the highest weight and these results indicate the achievement of the main goal (flood control and canal feeding) from the implementation of these measures. Also, the evaluation results of watershed management measures using the RIAM method show the positive but low effects of these measures, and to increase the effectiveness of these measures, it is suggested to implement other biological and mechanical watershed management measures in a combined manner.