Assessing the role of settlement in the environmental challenges of sensitive ecosystems. A case study in Zrebar wetland (Iran)

The majority of the planet's natural systems, especially sensitive ecosystems, are undergoing rapid change as a result of environmental problems. This issue has been made worse by settlements and their activities. Which has led to environmental issues in the sensitive ecosystem. As a result, the goal of this article is to assess how settlers play a part in the environmental problems sensitive ecosystems face. Zrebar Lake, one of Iran's most significant wetlands, will function as the case study for this analysis. The Required data were collected through a survey conducted from 2020 to 2021, among 360 responses in 15 villages and Marivan city in Iran. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) designed with AMOS software. In addition, the probability level (P: 0.0001) is optimum, and Then the spatial analysis was performed in ArcGIS by spatial interpolation with Inverse distance weighted (IDW). The results indicate that in all dimensions examined, settlements have significantly contributed to the occurrence of environmental challenges in the Zrebar wetland ecosystem. And Settlements in close proximity to sensitive ecosystems have a significant impact on these challenges. Finally, the findings of this study demonstrate the problems that a sensitive ecosystem faces, using statistical and spatial analysis to aid in the practical implementation of sustainable management in the settlements surrounding the wetland ecosystem, as well as new approaches to launching related policies. Provide long-term ecosystem management in urban and rural areas. •The significance of settlements in sensitive ecosystems' environmental challenges.•Settlements in close proximity to sensitive ecosystems have a significant impact on environmental challenges.•The most environmental challenges have been in the infrastructural, social, and ecological dimensions.•Understanding the local population is essential for identifying and resolving the challenges.