Agroecosystem Services of Saffron Fields in the Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan Provinces, Iran

Rezvani Moghaddam, Parviz; Nassiri Mahallati, Mehdi; Khorramdel, Soroor; Moallem Banhangi, Fatemeh

doi:10.22048/jsat.2026.560835.1579

Agroecosystem Services of Saffron Fields in the Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan Provinces, Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Parviz Rezvani Moghaddam ¹

Mehdi Nassiri Mahallati ²

Soroor Khorramdel ²

Fatemeh Moallem Banhangi ³

¹ Professor, Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

² Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

³ PhD Graduate, Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22048/jsat.2026.560835.1579

Abstract

Evaluating and quantifying agricultural ecosystem services in saffron-based agroecosystems is essential for understanding their economic value and informing sustainable management. This study aimed to estimate and monetize multiple ecosystem services and disservices in saffron fields. Researchers collected primary data by using a structured questionnaire with saffron growers from selected counties in Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan provinces (Mashhad, Torbat-e Jam, Torbat-e Heydarieh, Khalilabad, Bardeskan, Birjand, Zirkouh, and Boshruyeh), resulting in 120 completed questionnaires. The study estimated the value of five saffron ecosystem services—food production, oxygen production, biodiversity, conservation, and the absence of migration—and two disservices —greenhouse gas emissions and phosphorus and nitrogen leakage. Results showed that the total net value of ecosystem services in the studied fields was 39,353.6 US$/hectare per year. Prevention of rural migration, identified as a cultural service, was valued at 24,579.3 US$/hectare per year. Cultural and provisional services and biological diversity made up 62, 43, and 5.8% of the total ecosystem service value in saffron fields. These findings highlight the importance of assessing both ecosystem services and disservices in saffron agroecosystems to guide sustainable management and policy decisions.

Keywords

Biodiversity

Emission of greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases

Oxygen production

Subjects