Spatial Comparative Analysis of Landscape Fragmentation Metrics in a Watershed with Diverse Land Uses in Iran

Knowledge of landscape fragmentation is known to be important in ecological integrity, hydrological processes, urban planning, sustainable land management, and policymaking. Recent anecdotal studies reveal a need for analytical quantification at different levels. Therefore, the present study was conducted KoozehTopraghi Watershed, Ardabil Province, Iran, where covers by uses/covers, (a) explore spatial pattern metrics comprehensively scales, (b) distinguish hot spots, (c) investigate clustering metrics. The behaviors 7, 10, 13 concerning three levels patch, class, across 36 sub-watersheds were explored using principal component analysis (PCA) expert elicitation. Getis-Ord Gi* local Moran’s I indices also used analyze spots clusters fragmentation, respectively. results verified high degree variability analysis. class-level showed that watershed characterized high-fragmented residential use low-fragmented dry farming use. trend level further indicated 1, 2, 11, 21, 26, 34 36, mainly located lowlands central parts, allocated better status considering rather than other parts watershed. significant distributed terms various