Geography and Urban Research

The structure of the urban ecology of Urmia using landscape metrics

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Rasoul Ghorbani 1
Pooran Karbasi 2

1 a. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 b. Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22130/gur.2025.2052635.1014
Abstract
The landscape refers to the spatial structure and organization of natural and human elements in a region, shaped by human activities and natural processes. Metrics serve as key analytical tools in assessing and measuring the characteristics and performance of the landscape. This research examines the ecological structure of the city of Urmia, emphasizing the concept of landscape and its metrics, in order to propose corrective actions for improving its ecological processes. To identify the components of the landscape of Urmia, land use maps were utilized. Subsequently, for data modeling, landscape metrics (CA, NP, MPS, MSI, ED, SHEI, SHDI) were analyzed using the Patch Analyst extension. Finally, after hexagonal grid mapping of the area using a patch grid, the desired metrics for the hexagonal networks were calculated. The results obtained from the metrics indicate that the increase in distance and dispersion of patches, along with the reduction of their ecological connectivity, has led to fragmentation and a decrease in the integrity of the green space in the city of Urmia. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the use of landscape metrics can help identify the challenges and opportunities present in the sustainability of green spaces and improve the quality of life for residents.

Keywords

landscape
metrics
urban ecology
Urmia
Geography and Urban Research
Volume 2, Issue 2
Summer 2025
Pages 35-47

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