Evaluation of Desertification Control Projects Based on Sustainable Development Goals (Case Study: Gonabad County, Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran)

Desertification is a complex process of land degradation that results in significant natural and environmental damage, ultimately leading to ecosystem destruction. In the present context, effectively managing, controlling, reducing, and reversing desertification—alongside conducting a quantitative evaluation of its impacts—is essential. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of desertification mitigation projects in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Eastern Iran, focusing specifically on Gonabad County in Khorasan Razavi Province. Key indicators were evaluated across three dimensions: social (participation rate, migration, and education), economic (income, investment, and employment), and environmental (vegetation cover and dust storms). Data collection was conducted using a 51-item questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Environmental indicators were analyzed using satellite imagery. The study’s sample included 107 participants, comprising local residents, facilitators, stakeholders, managers, and executive experts. Statistical analyses, including T-tests and Friedman tests, were employed to analyze the data. The results revealed that the desertification project had a moderate impact on the selected indicators in the study area. In the social dimension, participation and migration indicators demonstrated significant improvements, with mean scores of 3.36 and 3.38, respectively (p < 0.05). In the economic dimension, the income indicator showed an increase, with a mean score of 3.38; however, the investment index did not exhibit significant change. Additionally, job creation scored lower than anticipated, with an average of 2.84. In the environmental dimension, satellite image analysis revealed an increase in the average vegetation cover index from 0.0837 in 2013 to 0.1261 in 2023, alongside a 4% reduction in the frequency of dust storms (from 47.18% to 43.01%). Public participation, with an average rank of 6.60, emerged as the most influential factor contributing to the success of the desertification project. To enhance the effectiveness of future desertification mitigation efforts, it is recommended to strengthen local participation, increase investment, and place greater emphasis on socio-economic dimensions.