Habitat Quality Assessment in Relation to Urban Development Using the InVEST Model and GIS: A Case Study of Qamsar City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty of Civil, Water, and Environmental Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran 1983969411, Iran

2 Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, Faculty of Earth Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Given the rapid pace of urban growth and urbanization—manifested in increasing population and human demand for residential land—there is an urgent need for scientifically sound and well-structured development planning. Among the key principles of urban planning and land-use management are the assessment of natural habitat quality, land potential, and optimal site selection, all aimed at minimizing environmental degradation while maximizing urban efficiency. Accordingly, evaluating the quality and degree of degradation of natural habitats is essential for guiding urban development in Qamsar, a region characterized by sensitive environmental conditions, unique geography, and economic dependence on natural resources. This study employed the Habitat Quality model from the InVEST software suite to assess habitat quality in the context of urban development. Unlike traditional methods such as AHP and fuzzy logic, the InVEST model accounts for anthropogenic threats and quantifies habitat degradation and quality loss due to urban infrastructure. Input data included a classified land use/land cover (LULC) map and spatial layers of proximity to roads, rivers, and service centers, all developed within ArcGIS Pro. Sensitivity to threats and habitat status were determined for each land use class based on authoritative InVEST documentation and scientific literature. Results revealed that low-quality habitats are predominantly located in the northwest and areas adjacent to human settlements, suggesting these zones as suitable priorities for future urban expansion. Conversely, regions with high ecological value and habitat quality should be excluded from urban growth to preserve their environmental integrity. The InVEST model thus serves as a robust and practical ecological analysis tool, enabling environmentally informed and sustainable urban development decisions.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 10 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 23 May 2025
  • First Publish Date: 24 May 2025

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