Desert Research Department
The main tasks of the desert research department can be introduced in two areas as follows:
a) research in the field of resource management and natural reserves in the desert ecosystem;
b) Research in the field of solutions to curb desertification based on existing accepted definitions, which includes dry, semi-arid and dry semi-humid bioclimates of the country.
Therefore, the operational area of the department, in addition to desert and desert areas (semi-arid bioclimate), includes all dry, semi-arid and semi-humid dry areas (in total 89.7% of the country’s soil). In other words, the operational area of the department, not only desert ecosystems, will be any bioclimate prone to desertification in the country that has residential conditions. To put it more clearly, just as the desert cannot be limited in a certain climate, a certain altitude, a certain latitude, or a defined distance from the sea, desertification is not limited by climate, and it should not be expected that its origin is only in the territory of dry lands of the world. remain; More importantly, it should not be assumed that the risk of desertification is greater in dry lands or that it can cause less damage to more humid bioclimates. Thus, with the support of more than three decades of efforts of the researchers of this research department, today it is possible to adhere to this doctrine with a firmer belief that:
“Desertification flow, more than reducing the gross domestic product by reducing the efficiency of the land in desert ecosystems, it can cause a bigger, wider and more lasting damage to other ecosystems of the country.”
Another basic approach of the department is that desertification is one of those phenomena that direct struggle with its external manifestations (for example: the movement of sand unevenness, salinization, land subsidence, etc.), will yield the least possible achievement; What, desertification is a process that before it is possible to remember its natural roots and to curb them by identifying them, it is necessary to know its social, cultural, economic and political roots and with a determination arising from a will focused on knowledge and The power, with the coordination of many decision-making institutions in the political, cultural, economic, military and environmental fields of the country, attempted to contain or eradicate it.
Therefore, it goes without saying that from the point of view of the management governing the field of desert research, the strengthening of economic, social and cultural research is of special priority and importance than dealing with purely natural components.
Introducing policies and programs
According to the values explained in the organizational mission statement of the institute, the desert research department pays special attention to the following categories:
“Society-oriented and comprehensive research approach” is the fundamental policy of the department, because our ultimate goal is to serve the society and promote the stability of the land in line with the 50th principle of the constitution;
Attention to the current and future needs of the user community;
Applying scientific principles and modern knowledge and technology;
Therefore, according to the aforementioned triple considerations, in order to fulfill the two important tasks of the department, it is necessary to consider the following seven policies in a 20-year horizon:
Preserving the genetic reserves of the desert ecosystems and paying attention to the factors disturbing the stability of the land in the areas under the effect of desertification, by separating the natural and human components.
Respecting the ancient ways of interaction of desert dwellers with nature and helping to better understand their survival and evolution;
Development of the culture of natural resources and the environment of people living in desert areas and affected by desertification;
Helping to move from an “ecological environment” to an “ecological economy”;
Application of modern technologies effective in revitalization, modification and sustainable exploitation of desert areas affected by desertification;
Quantitative and qualitative development of applied research and scientific communication in the field of desert.
Distribution and development of research activities based on scientific capabilities and regional creativity and ecological power of the land.
