Zoning the protected area of Shahoo/Kosalan using RS and GIS

Zoning is the main part of planning principles, which is now considered as the most important tool in preserved areas management. This study has been carried out in the preserved area of Shahoo/Kosalan, located in Kurdistan Province (Iran). It seeks to examine the implication of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS)in allocating optimal zones and resolving existing conflicts. Using satellite images of Landsat 8 (June, 14, 2015) and by the means of ecological niche factor analysis, land use maps and NDVI as well as wild goats habitat favorability maps were prepared. After database development in GIS, to actualize potentials of this area, 7 zones were selected. Following thatand according to experts, natural traits of the area, previous studies character models were written to integrate the parameters of each zone and develop MCE. After MCE development for each zone, MOLA was employed to finalize zoning. Results obtained from MOLA zoning reveal that positioning of the applications has been appropriately done, which in case of being operationalized, will prevent the existing conflicts.