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Volume 40, Issue 2 (2025)
GeoRes 2025, 40(2): 185-192 |
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Received: 2025/04/21 | Accepted: 2025/06/20 | Published: 2025/06/26
Received: 2025/04/21 | Accepted: 2025/06/20 | Published: 2025/06/26
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Asadi A. Organizing the Gisum Coastal Strip with an Ecotourism-Oriented Approach. GeoRes 2025; 40 (2) :185-192
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A. Asadi *
Pars University of Architecture and Art, Tehran, Iran
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Background
Coastal areas are among the most valuable and complex natural ecosystems on Earth, characterized by high biodiversity and playing a crucial role in ecological balance, carbon storage, and climate regulation. Beyond their environmental significance, these regions are economically and socially vital, serving as habitats and sources of livelihood for millions of people. At the same time, human pressures, unsustainable development, and climate change threaten their stability, highlighting the urgent need for scientific management and sustainable conservation.
Previous Studies
Previous studies have extensively emphasize the ecological and economic importance of coastal areas and the necessity of their sustainable management. Costanza et al. [2014] have highlighted the high economic value of coastal ecosystem services and stressed their role in biological and climatic dynamics. Similarly, Barbier et al. [2011], by examining the ecological and economic functions of these regions, recommend participatory and protective policies to ensure coastal sustainability. Nellemann and Corcoran [2009] have underscored the role of coasts in “blue carbon” storage. At the regional level, studies such as Zakeri Hadadan et al. [2021] and Afzali et al. [2024] have demonstrated that uncontrolled tourism activities have disrupted the ecological balance of northern Iran’s coastal strips. Additionally, Vali [2025] highlights the weaknesses in institutional coordination and the lack of strategic planning in coastal management.
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual model for the management of the coastal strip, prioritizing the preservation of ecotourism and ecological sustainability, as well as to identify and analyze the key indicators influencing coastal ecotourism management.
Research Type
This study was descriptive-analytical in nature.
Research Society, Place and Time
This study was conducted in 2025 and focused on the Gisum coastal strip in the Talesh region of Gilan Province as a case study. The qualitative research population consisted of environmental experts, tourism specialists, local officials, and members of non-governmental organizations active in natural resources and tourism in the region. The quantitative population included local residents, tourists, and tourism stakeholders in Gisum.
Sampling Method and Number
In the qualitative phase, purposive and snowball sampling methods were employed, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached, resulting in a total of 15 experts and key informants being interviewed. In the quantitative phase, simple random sampling was used, and based on Cochran’s formula, a sample size of 384 individuals was determined and examined.
Used Devices & Materials
In this study, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and audio recordings. The resulting textual data were analyzed and coded using MaxQDA 2024.10. In the quantitative phase, data were gathered via a questionnaire designed based on the identified indicators and sub-indicators, and statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 24, employing Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
In this study, the indicators and sub-indicators influencing the management of the Gisum coastal strip were first identified (Table 1). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that all factor loadings exceeded 0.7, and the indicators demonstrated satisfactory convergent validity (AVE: 0.65–0.72) and composite reliability (CR: 0.66–0.71). Among them, tourists’ environmental behavior had the highest factor loading, while ecological and social justice also showed high validity and reliability. Other indicators, including environmental awareness, attitudes toward sustainable ecotourism, social participation, satisfaction levels, environmental risk assessment, access and infrastructure, acceptance of conservation policies, and environmental education, also exhibited strong factor loadings and were statistically validated (Table 1).
Table 1) Evaluation of Indicators and Sub-Indicators Affecting the Organization of the Gisum Coastal Strip Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis
In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis of the interviews led to the extraction of four main themes and several subthemes, each corresponding to a key dimension of coastal management with a focus on ecotourism and the ecological balance between shore and forest (Table 2). These dimensions included: management strategies (tourism capacity control, ecological monitoring, waste management), institutional requirements (interagency coordination, regional regulations, special funding), the role of local communities (participation in decision-making, green businesses, preservation of indigenous knowledge), and a sustainable development framework (triple bottom-line balance of economy, society, and environment, climate adaptation, green technologies) (Table 2).
Table 2) Themes and Sub-Themes of the Main Dimensions in Organizing the Gisum Coastal Strip
The proposed conceptual model illustrates a dynamic and networked interaction among these four pillars (Figure 1). Management strategies relied on institutional support, local communities facilitated the implementation of these strategies, and the sustainable development framework provided feedback for continuous system improvement. Causal relationships among components, such as the effect of tourism capacity control on ecological balance and the influence of local participation on waste management effectiveness, were incorporated into the model, ensuring that changes in any component produced systematic effects across other elements (Figure 1).
Figure 1) Model for Organizing the Gisum Coastal Strip
Main Comparisons to Similar Studies
The findings of this study align with previous research, confirming the significance of environmental, social, and managerial indicators in coastal management. Consistent with Lee and Moscardo [2005], have increased environmental awareness led to more responsible tourist behaviors. Positive attitudes toward sustainable ecotourism corresponded with the results of Thi Khanh and Phong [2020] and Angessa et al. [2022], reinforcing active participation and community support. Tourists’ environmental behaviors were also dependent on awareness and attitudes, similar to the findings of Ramayah et al. [2010]. Local community participation in decision-making and conservation aligns with the results of Pretty and Smith [2004] and experiences reported by Alongi [2008] and Kathiresan & Bingham [2001]. The indicator of ecological and social justice, in line with Scheyvens [1999], have played a key role in ensuring sustainability and equitable benefit distribution. Furthermore, the importance of institutional coordination and sustainable management capacity was confirmed, consistent with UNEP (2019).
Suggestions
Future studies could enhance the effectiveness of integrated management and sustainable development by utilizing up-to-date remote sensing data, conducting comparative research across other coastal zones, examining institutional conflicts in depth, and assessing the social impacts of ecotourism projects. The application of advanced analytical tools, such as institutional network analysis and future scenario modeling, would further support evidence-based decision-making and strategic planning in coastal management.
Conclusion
Tourists’ environmental behavior and ecological and social justice indicators have the greatest impact on the management of the Gisoom coastal strip. Ultimately, the proposed model is based on four main pillars—management strategies, institutional requirements, the role of local communities, and a sustainable development framework—whose dynamic and networked interactions provide a comprehensive and flexible structure for achieving sustainable management of the Gisoom coastal strip.
Acknowledgments: Not applicable.
Ethical Permission: Not reported by the authors.
Conflict of Interest: No conflicts of interest exist.
Author Contributions: Asma Asadi conducted all aspects of the study and manuscript preparation (100%)
Funding: Not applicable.
Coastal areas are among the most valuable and complex natural ecosystems on Earth, characterized by high biodiversity and playing a crucial role in ecological balance, carbon storage, and climate regulation. Beyond their environmental significance, these regions are economically and socially vital, serving as habitats and sources of livelihood for millions of people. At the same time, human pressures, unsustainable development, and climate change threaten their stability, highlighting the urgent need for scientific management and sustainable conservation.
Previous Studies
Previous studies have extensively emphasize the ecological and economic importance of coastal areas and the necessity of their sustainable management. Costanza et al. [2014] have highlighted the high economic value of coastal ecosystem services and stressed their role in biological and climatic dynamics. Similarly, Barbier et al. [2011], by examining the ecological and economic functions of these regions, recommend participatory and protective policies to ensure coastal sustainability. Nellemann and Corcoran [2009] have underscored the role of coasts in “blue carbon” storage. At the regional level, studies such as Zakeri Hadadan et al. [2021] and Afzali et al. [2024] have demonstrated that uncontrolled tourism activities have disrupted the ecological balance of northern Iran’s coastal strips. Additionally, Vali [2025] highlights the weaknesses in institutional coordination and the lack of strategic planning in coastal management.
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual model for the management of the coastal strip, prioritizing the preservation of ecotourism and ecological sustainability, as well as to identify and analyze the key indicators influencing coastal ecotourism management.
Research Type
This study was descriptive-analytical in nature.
Research Society, Place and Time
This study was conducted in 2025 and focused on the Gisum coastal strip in the Talesh region of Gilan Province as a case study. The qualitative research population consisted of environmental experts, tourism specialists, local officials, and members of non-governmental organizations active in natural resources and tourism in the region. The quantitative population included local residents, tourists, and tourism stakeholders in Gisum.
Sampling Method and Number
In the qualitative phase, purposive and snowball sampling methods were employed, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached, resulting in a total of 15 experts and key informants being interviewed. In the quantitative phase, simple random sampling was used, and based on Cochran’s formula, a sample size of 384 individuals was determined and examined.
Used Devices & Materials
In this study, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and audio recordings. The resulting textual data were analyzed and coded using MaxQDA 2024.10. In the quantitative phase, data were gathered via a questionnaire designed based on the identified indicators and sub-indicators, and statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 24, employing Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
In this study, the indicators and sub-indicators influencing the management of the Gisum coastal strip were first identified (Table 1). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that all factor loadings exceeded 0.7, and the indicators demonstrated satisfactory convergent validity (AVE: 0.65–0.72) and composite reliability (CR: 0.66–0.71). Among them, tourists’ environmental behavior had the highest factor loading, while ecological and social justice also showed high validity and reliability. Other indicators, including environmental awareness, attitudes toward sustainable ecotourism, social participation, satisfaction levels, environmental risk assessment, access and infrastructure, acceptance of conservation policies, and environmental education, also exhibited strong factor loadings and were statistically validated (Table 1).
Table 1) Evaluation of Indicators and Sub-Indicators Affecting the Organization of the Gisum Coastal Strip Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis
In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis of the interviews led to the extraction of four main themes and several subthemes, each corresponding to a key dimension of coastal management with a focus on ecotourism and the ecological balance between shore and forest (Table 2). These dimensions included: management strategies (tourism capacity control, ecological monitoring, waste management), institutional requirements (interagency coordination, regional regulations, special funding), the role of local communities (participation in decision-making, green businesses, preservation of indigenous knowledge), and a sustainable development framework (triple bottom-line balance of economy, society, and environment, climate adaptation, green technologies) (Table 2).
Table 2) Themes and Sub-Themes of the Main Dimensions in Organizing the Gisum Coastal Strip
The proposed conceptual model illustrates a dynamic and networked interaction among these four pillars (Figure 1). Management strategies relied on institutional support, local communities facilitated the implementation of these strategies, and the sustainable development framework provided feedback for continuous system improvement. Causal relationships among components, such as the effect of tourism capacity control on ecological balance and the influence of local participation on waste management effectiveness, were incorporated into the model, ensuring that changes in any component produced systematic effects across other elements (Figure 1).
Figure 1) Model for Organizing the Gisum Coastal Strip
Main Comparisons to Similar Studies
The findings of this study align with previous research, confirming the significance of environmental, social, and managerial indicators in coastal management. Consistent with Lee and Moscardo [2005], have increased environmental awareness led to more responsible tourist behaviors. Positive attitudes toward sustainable ecotourism corresponded with the results of Thi Khanh and Phong [2020] and Angessa et al. [2022], reinforcing active participation and community support. Tourists’ environmental behaviors were also dependent on awareness and attitudes, similar to the findings of Ramayah et al. [2010]. Local community participation in decision-making and conservation aligns with the results of Pretty and Smith [2004] and experiences reported by Alongi [2008] and Kathiresan & Bingham [2001]. The indicator of ecological and social justice, in line with Scheyvens [1999], have played a key role in ensuring sustainability and equitable benefit distribution. Furthermore, the importance of institutional coordination and sustainable management capacity was confirmed, consistent with UNEP (2019).
Suggestions
Future studies could enhance the effectiveness of integrated management and sustainable development by utilizing up-to-date remote sensing data, conducting comparative research across other coastal zones, examining institutional conflicts in depth, and assessing the social impacts of ecotourism projects. The application of advanced analytical tools, such as institutional network analysis and future scenario modeling, would further support evidence-based decision-making and strategic planning in coastal management.
Conclusion
Tourists’ environmental behavior and ecological and social justice indicators have the greatest impact on the management of the Gisoom coastal strip. Ultimately, the proposed model is based on four main pillars—management strategies, institutional requirements, the role of local communities, and a sustainable development framework—whose dynamic and networked interactions provide a comprehensive and flexible structure for achieving sustainable management of the Gisoom coastal strip.
Acknowledgments: Not applicable.
Ethical Permission: Not reported by the authors.
Conflict of Interest: No conflicts of interest exist.
Author Contributions: Asma Asadi conducted all aspects of the study and manuscript preparation (100%)
Funding: Not applicable.
Keywords:
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