Qeshm island has specific ecological and environmental features. Because of being an island and as a free zone, its importance and fragile ecosystems merit more protective measures. More important may be the mangrove forests of a different types of Avicennum spp. forests. This has added to island’s significance as an international biosphere reserve.
During the last couple of decades accelerated development and intensive landuse without regards to its capability has destroyed basic natural resources and the natural coastal environment. Land is polluted and landuse types do not respect natural carrying capacity. Future development of Qeshm island depends on the degree of respect to natural landscape capability. Much more because of its vulnerability which is faced with accelerated population growth.
A system approach was adopted for landuse capability evaluation and integrated land suitability for various types of development and specially (eco-.) tourism. Resulting zones of various capability for diverse landuse types were then overlayed on administrative divisions map for its practical application in future development planning.
Qeshm has many great potentials for all types of landuse, yet according to environmental evaluation, and by presence of biosphere reserve, its potential for integrated tourist and protection is greater. It has relatively little capability for industrial and agricultural development. At last it should be emphesized that the island can easily enjoy an environmental management system for its future sustainable development, what is rather impossible or very difficult for the whole country because of geographic and administrative complexities. Qeshm’s EMS planning is one great specific advantage that this largest island of Persian Gulf may relay upon.
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