Mahdi Kolahi

@um.ac.ir

​Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Water and Environment Research Institute
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Mahdi Kolahi


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https://researchid.co/mkolahi8

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Environmental Sociology, Natural resources management, Environmental management
25

Scopus Publications

1198

Scholar Citations

19

Scholar h-index

30

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Scenario-based planning for urban sustainability: Envisioning an ecological city in Shandiz, Iran by 2032
    Forouzan Taheri, Mahdi Kolahi
    Evaluation and Program Planning, 2026
  • A Comprehensive Framework for Developing Energy Transition Roadmaps
    Mahdi Kolahi
    Sustainable Technologies for the Energy Transition, 2026
    This chapter introduces a comprehensive and adaptable framework for developing energy transition roadmaps by integrating technological innovation, policy mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement. It addresses key challenges in transitioning to sustainable energy systems and provides actionable strategies for academia, industry, and policymakers. The framework incorporates scenario analysis, technology pathways, governance structures, and social dimensions while emphasizing cross-sectoral linkages in power generation, transportation, and industry. It employs methodologies such as multi-criteria decision-making and adaptive management to ensure flexibility across different contexts. Case studies illustrate its practical application, highlighting success factors like advancements in renewable energy, energy storage, and grid modernization. The chapter also examines barriers—including policy misalignment, financial constraints, and technological lock-in—and proposes strategies to enhance equity and resilience. By outlining short- and long-term milestones for decarbonization and renewable energy integration, this chapter contributes to the discourse on sustainable energy transitions and provides practical guidelines for achieving low-carbon energy systems.
  • Emotional subjectivities of Iranian teachers in formal environmental education: Power, pedagogy and climate affect
    Amirali Boroumand, Mahdi Kolahi
    Journal of Environmental Education, 2026
    This study investigates the emotional subjectivities of teachers in Iran’s formal environmental education (FEE) and how pedagogical, institutional, and socio-political forces shape climate-related affect and practice. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, we surveyed 379 teachers with a Climate Emotion Inventory and conducted interviews with 38 educators across five provinces. Findings show prevalent constructive emotions (Responsibility, 72%; Hope, 68%) alongside inhibitory affects (Anxiety, 61%; Guilt, 47%). Curriculum constraints (76%) and weak institutional support (64%) strongly correlated with anxiety, while environmental identity was positively linked with hope and responsibility. Interviews revealed regionally grounded grief, the emotional costs of teaching crises, and coping strategies such as reframing, peer dialogue, spiritual grounding, and fostering student agency. While these practices sustain pedagogy, they remain compensatory in the absence of systemic reform. We argue that climate emotions are socially produced and politically mediated, shaping both vulnerability and resilience in sustainability education.
  • Holistic management approach for social-ecological systems in Iran
    Mahdi Kolahi, Amir Hossein Abdollahzadeh, Roohollah Noori
    Environmental Reviews, 2025
    Social-ecological systems (SESs) in Iran face escalating challenges and pressures due to a multitude of environmental and social factors, such as global warming, population growth, and unsustainable resources management practices. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the historical context and evolution of SESs in Iran and examines the current challenges and pressures confronting these systems. The methods utilized include literature review, case studies, framework development, analysis and synthesis, comparative analysis, integration of feedback, and Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework analysis. We also discuss opportunities for enhancing resilience and sustainability in the country’s SESs, including case studies of successful management approaches. This analysis highlights the urgent need for integrated and interdisciplinary approaches to manage SES in Iran, including with community engagement and inclusive participation. Our findings develop and recommend a holistic management approach that can effectively respond to changing social and ecological conditions over time. The suggested holistic management approach involves various processes and aspects, such as stakeholder engagement, baseline data collection and monitoring, scenario planning, adaptive management strategies, and evaluation. Overall, this paper provides a valuable resource for different stakeholders, especially researchers and policymakers interested in the management of SESs in Iran and offers insights to other neighboring nations encountering similar challenges in their SESs.
  • Integrated approach to water resource management in Mashhad Plain, Iran: actor analysis, cognitive mapping, and roadmap development
    Mahdi Kolahi, Kamran Davary, Hamid Omranian Khorasani
    Scientific Reports, 2024
    Iran's Mashhad Plain faces a severe water crisis due to the excessive exploitation of groundwater, leading to the depletion of its aquifer. While water demand management is recognized as a superior solution compared to supply projects, its implementation presents notable challenges. This study addresses the urgent necessity to curtail water demand in the Mashhad Plain by alleviating conflicts among various stakeholders, including water resource managers and consumers. Initially, the research identifies key water resource actors who collaborate in devising a comprehensive roadmap and conceptual model for efficient water resource management. An analysis uncovers significant conflicts among actors, representing approximately 6% of identified issues, with minor conflicts in 30% of cases. Encouragingly, stakeholders demonstrate potential for consensus on the remaining conflict items, with specific actors emerging as pivotal in conflict resolution. Efficient water resource management in regions facing scarcity, diverse interests, and sustainability challenges demands a multifaceted strategy. Future endeavors involve developing a dynamic system model to simulate policy impacts and strengthen conflict resolution efforts. This research introduces a roadmap-driven approach aimed at resolving conflicts and implementing water demand management in the Mashhad Plain. It emphasizes the critical need to address water scarcity challenges while effectively mitigating conflicts among water resource stakeholders.
  • Urban water footprint in Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city
    Mahdi Kolahi, Zeinab Sharifi, Saeideh Heydari, Mina Ansari
    Environmental Conservation, 2024
    Summary The water footprint (WF) is a metric used to quantify the total volume of fresh water consumed directly and indirectly by individuals and communities; it helps to inform responses to global challenges such as water scarcity, climate change and sustainable water management. This study assessed virtual (VWF), direct (DWF) and total (TWF) water footprints in Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city. Data collected from 382 households showed that the average individual VWF was 1314 m3 per month, the average individual DWF was 228 m3 per month and the average individual TWF was 1538 m3 per month. Additionally, key consumption patterns were identified, with rice and bread emerging as the most consumed items and vegetables as the least consumed. Over a 5-year period, direct water use declined. Significant correlations emerged between family size, annual cost and VWF and TWF, yet no association was found between age and the WFs. There were income-based disparities in VWF and TWF but no differences across education levels in terms of DWF, VWF and TWF. These findings offer crucial insights for policymakers and water authorities in formulating effective water-saving policies to address pressing environmental concerns.
  • Phytoremediation potential of seedlings: comparing heavy metal accumulation in Ailanthus, Acer, and Fraxinus species
    Maryam Daghestani, Mahdi Kolahi
    Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2024
  • Socio-environmental responsibility in Iranian universities: a multidimensional perspective
    Mahdi Kolahi, Rogaieh AzimiSeginSara
    Environmental Conservation, 2023
    Summary Universities are expected to play a pivotal role in promoting environmental conservation goals, yet a comprehensive analysis of their actual contributions remains limited. This study delves into the perceptions of socio-environmental responsibility among faculty members within Iran’s top 13 universities. Using random cluster sampling, we collected 410 questionnaires from these institutions, evaluating socio-environmental responsibility through eight distinct variables. The outcomes unveil widespread deficiencies in responsibility across all universities, with 66% exhibiting low levels of engagement. Notably, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources displays the lowest level, while Bu-Ali Sina University ranks highest. The research variables exhibit significant positive correlations, elucidating the interconnectedness of different aspects of socio-environmental responsibility. Furthermore, the study identifies a significant disparity in mean university socio-environmental responsibility concerning gender, although no significant relationships are found with factors such as professors’ academic rank, employment status or age. Sixteen codes are highlighted based on qualitative analysis. These findings underscore the urgency for universities to redefine their roles within the community and prioritize community empowerment, stakeholder engagement, capacity building and environmental education. By addressing these facets, universities can elevate their levels of socio-environmental responsibility and contribute more effectively to environmental conservation efforts.
  • Satellite-Based Monitoring of Growing Agricultural Water Consumption in Hyper-Arid Regions
    Ashkan Ebrahimivand, Farhad Hooshyaripor, Salar Rezaei-Gharehaghaj, Sahand Razi, Mohammad Milad Salamttalab, Mahdi Kolahi, Roohollah Noori
    Water Switzerland, 2023
    Land-use change has a key role in hydrologic processes and biodiversity. Although many satellite-based studies have been conducted to reveal the interaction between land-use changes in hydrological processes worldwide, the land-use change impact on agricultural water consumption in hyper-arid regions is poorly understood. Here, we investigate increased agricultural water consumption in the Qom province, a hyper-arid region in Iran, using derived imageries from Landsat 5 Tm and Landsat 8 OLI during the last three decades. We used maximum likelihood classification (MLC) and decision tree classification (DTC) to analyze the satellite images. The MLC method showed that croplands have increased from 30,547 ha in 1989 to 39,255 ha in 2019 (i.e., a 29% increase). In this period, the total orchard area increased from 3904 ha to 6307 ha, revealing a growth of 61%. In the DTC method, the increases in the cropland and orchard areas were, respectively, 34% and 60%. Although both MLC and DTC satisfied the accuracy criteria, the former was more consistent than the latter concerning ground data and documented statistics. Satellite-based and MLC results showed an increase in agricultural water consumption from 152 million cubic meters (MCM) in 1989 to 209 MCM in 2019, showing a 38% increase (i.e., 1.27% annually). Our findings send an alarming message for policymakers to reduce the water demand through sustainable agricultural practices in the Qom province, where the agricultural sector uses approximately 90% of annual water demand.
  • Modeling wetland restoration scenarios in Gavkhooni International Wetland
    Ahmad Reza Pirali Zefrehei, Mahdi Kolahi, Judith Fisher
    Restoration Ecology, 2023
    One of the challenges for managers is to ensure the long‐term sustainability of wetlands by protecting their ecological values against natural and human pressures. This study has evaluated the past vulnerability status of Gavkhooni International Wetland, Isfahan, Iran, using a combination of GIS and multicriteria spatial decision support systems (MC‐SDSS) processes, to propose restoration scenarios. Three scenarios were developed from criteria established using field studies and expert opinion: (1) wetland restoration to preserve existing water bodies, (2) determination of susceptible regions as habitat replacement for aquatic communities, and (3) a combination of the two previous scenarios. Finally, a map was developed classifying the regions into five categories by area of priority. The northern regions of the wetland were prioritized based on the results of the first and the second scenarios. The third scenario provided the highest opportunity to obtain an optimistic state, that is, normal conditions, for the wetland marginal regions, especially in the central region (between the east and west). In a pessimistic state and optimistic state of the third scenario, almost all parts of the center to the south of the wetland show the lowest priority restoration scenarios. According to the different scenarios, the central regions of the wetland are less affected by agricultural activities and human settlements. In general, the results show that the Gavkhooni Wetland is unstable based on functional, environmental, social and economic conditions. According to the criteria and the MC‐SDSS model, the government can adopt and implement the necessary policies and programs to improve the condition of the wetland.
  • THE PARIS AGREEMENT'S APPROACH TOWARD CLIMATE CHANGE LOSS AND DAMAGE
    Azam Amini, Mohammad Abedi, Elnaz Nesari, Ehsan Daryadel, Mahdi Kolahi, Hojjat Mianabadi, Judith Fisher
    World Affairs, 2023
  • Legal conflicts among natural resources stakeholders in Iran
    Mahdi Kolahi, Mohammadali Jannatichenar, Kirsten Davies, Caitlyn Hoffmann
    British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 2023
  • Toward the development of a conceptual framework for the complex interaction between environmental changes and rural-urban migration
    Ameneh Mianabadi, Kamran Davary, Hojjat Mianabadi, Mahdi Kolahi, Erik Mostert
    Frontiers in Water, 2023
  • Ecological-environmental challenges and restoration of aquatic ecosystems of the Middle-Eastern
    Ahmadreza Piralizefrehei, Mahdi Kolahi, Judith Fisher
    Scientific Reports, 2022
  • Evaluation of Zayandehroud basin health in the Iranian plateau
    Ahmad Reza Pirali Zefrehei, Mahdi Kolahi, Judith Fisher
    Aquatic Sciences, 2022
  • Water/climate nexus environmental rural-urban migration and coping strategies
    Ameneh Mianabadi, Kamran Davary, Mahdi Kolahi, Judith Fisher
    Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 2022
  • Assessing the effects of desertification control projects using socio-economic indicators in the arid regions of eastern Iran
    Rokhsareh Khashtabeh, Morteza Akbari, Mahdi Kolahi, Ali Talebanfard
    Environment Development and Sustainability, 2021
  • Multiple streams framework and logging policy change in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran
    B. Sotoudeh Foumani, M. Kolahi, S. Mohammadi Limaei, J. Fisher, T. Rostami Shahraji
    Australian Forestry, 2021
  • Youth and sustainable waste management: a SEM approach and extended theory of planned behavior
    Ava Heidari, Mahdi Kolahi, Narges Behravesh, Mona Ghorbanyon, Fatemeh Ehsanmansh, Nogol Hashemolhosini, Fahimeh Zanganeh
    Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 2018
  • Assessment of citizens’ virtual water footprint
    Mahdi Kolahi, Saeideh Heydari, Mina Ansari, Farzaneh Nouraei
    Advances in Science Technology and Innovation, 2018
  • From paper parks to real conservations: Case study of social capital in iran's biodiversity conservation
    International Journal of Environmental Research, 2014
  • Visitors’ characteristics and attitudes towards iran’s national parks and participatory conservation
    Mahdi Kolahi, Tetsuro Sakai, Kazuyuki Moriya, Masatoshi Yoshikawa, Stanko Trifkovic
    Parks, 2014
  • Introduction of participatory conservation in Iran: Case study of the rural communities’ perspectives in Khojir National Park
    International Journal of Environmental Research, 2014
  • Assessment of the effectiveness of protected areas management in iran: Case study in khojir national park
    Mahdi Kolahi, Tetsuro Sakai, Kazuyuki Moriya, Majid F. Makhdoum, Lina Koyama
    Environmental Management, 2013
  • Challenges to the future development of Iran's protected areas system
    Mahdi Kolahi, Tetsuro Sakai, Kazuyuki Moriya, Majid F. Makhdoum
    Environmental Management, 2012

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Emotional subjectivities of Iranian teachers in formal environmental education: Power, pedagogy and climate affect
    A Boroumand, M Kolahi
    The Journal of Environmental Education, 1-17 , 2026
    2026
  • A Comprehensive Framework for Developing Energy Transition Roadmaps
    M Kolahi
    Sustainable Technologies for the Energy Transition, 11-28 , 2026
    2026
  • Factors affecting people's participation and motivation in joint conservation of Sarigol National Park
    SS Sukhdari, M Kolahi
    Journal of Social Order and Developement, 29-49 , 2025
    2025
  • Implication of Environmental Crises on the Socioeconomic Dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals
    E Mark, R Riya, A Aliyu, A Farshad, B Elliot, B Lindsay, G Erica, H Maryna, ...
    Global Environment Outlook 7: A future we choose –Why investing in Earth now … , 2025
    2025
  • A qualitative approach to the causes and consequences of the may 2024 flood in Mashhad city.
    M Gholami, M Kolahi
    2025
  • Scenario-based planning for urban sustainability: Envisioning an ecological city in Shandiz, Iran by 2032
    F Taheri, M Kolahi
    Evaluation and Program Planning, 102711 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Integrating Justice into Restoration Practice
    A Martin, N Dawson, I Rodriguez, S Ajit, R Carmona, M Kolahi, ...
    IUCN WCPA , 2025
    2025
  • Report of the Indigenous and local knowledge dialogue workshop on scenarios of the future
    WV Alangui, RC BAYATE, J Carino, A Corcino, B Delgado, D De Vera, ...
    Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem … , 2025
    2025
  • Investigating the Factors Influencing People's Participation and Willingness in the Participatory Conservation of Salouk National Park
    M Kolahi, F Bagheri
    Journal of Society and the Environment 1 (3), 49-74 , 2024
    2024
  • Urban water footprint in Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city
    M Kolahi, Z Sharifi, S Heydari, M Ansari
    Environmental Conservation, 1-7 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 6
  • Holistic management approach for social-ecological systems in Iran
    M Kolahi, AH Abdollahzadeh, R Noori
    Environmental Reviews 33, 1-15 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 15
  • Phytoremediation potential of seedlings: comparing heavy metal accumulation in Ailanthus , Acer , and Fraxinus species
    M Daghestani, M Kolahi
    Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 196 (10), 920 , 2024
    2024
  • Social network analysis of rangeland stakeholders in Robat village, Khorasan Razavi Province
    H Amirreza, M Kolahi, H Omranian Khorasani
    Integrated Watershed Management 4 (2), 66-80 , 2024
    2024
  • Designing an Ecosystem Restoration Model with Emphasis on Community Engagement: A Case Study of Arghavan-Dareh Woodland, Mashhad.
    N Khatoony, M Kolahi
    Journal of Range & Watershed Management 77 (2) , 2024
    2024
  • Investigating the causes of the marginalization of introduction to environmental science courses in higher education in Iran
    M Kolahi, A Boroumand
    Journals of Environmental Education and Sustainable Development 12 (3), 9-28 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 3
  • Integrated Approach to Water Resource Management in Mashhad Plain, Iran: Actor Analysis, Cognitive Mapping, and Roadmap Development
    M Kolahi, K Davary, H Omranian Khorasani
    Scientific Reports 14 (162) , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 43
  • Social network analysis of rangeland stakeholders in Robat village, Khorasan Razavi Province
    A Heirany, M Kolahi, H Omranian Khorasani
    Integrated Watershed Management 4 (2), 66-80 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 1
  • Impact of Socio-economic factors on the Success of Rangeland Management Plans at Baharkish Watershed of Quchan County
    A Kahrobaei, M Kolahi, A Anabestani
    Journal of Geographical Studies of Mountainous Areas 3 (11), 189-206 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 2
  • Ethnobotanical studies in Iran’s rangelands
    A Heirany, M Kolahi
    J Med Plants Res 17, 305 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 2
  • Conceptual model for ethical roots of environmental crisis.
    E Tamassoki, M Kolahi
    2023
    Citations: 8

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Youth and sustainable waste management: a SEM approach and extended theory of planned behavior
    A Heidari, M Kolahi, N Behravesh, M Ghorbanyon, F Ehsanmansh, ...
    Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management 20 (4), 2041-2053 , 2018
    2018
    Citations: 168
  • Assessment of the effectiveness of protected areas management in Iran: Case study in Khojir National Park
    M Kolahi, T Sakai, K Moriya, MF Makhdoum, L Koyama
    Environmental management 52 (2), 514-530 , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 125
  • Challenges to the future development of Iran’s protected areas system
    M Kolahi, T Sakai, K Moriya, MF Makhdoum
    Environmental management 50 (4), 750-765 , 2012
    2012
    Citations: 116
  • Water/Climate Nexus Environmental Rural-Urban Migration and Coping Strategies
    A Mianabadi, K Davary, M Kolahi, J Fisher
    Journal of Environmental Planning and Management , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 62
  • Recent advances in environmental science from the Euro-Mediterranean and surrounding regions: Proceedings of Euro-Mediterranean Conference for Environmental Integration (EMCEI …
    A Kallel, M Ksibi, HB Dhia, N Khélifi
    2018
    Citations: 62
  • Integrated Approach to Water Resource Management in Mashhad Plain, Iran: Actor Analysis, Cognitive Mapping, and Roadmap Development
    M Kolahi, K Davary, H Omranian Khorasani
    Scientific Reports 14 (162) , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 43
  • From Paper Parks to Real Conservations: Case Study of Social Capital in Iran’s Biodiversity Conservation
    M Kolahi, T Sakai, K Moriya, M Yoshikawa, R Esmaili
    International Journal of Environmental Research 8 (1), 101-114 , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 38
  • Assessing the effects of desertification control projects using socio-economic indicators in the arid regions of eastern Iran
    R Khashtabeh, M Akbari, M Kolahi, A Talebanfard
    Environment, Development and Sustainability 23 (7), 10455-10469 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 32
  • Introduction of Participatory Conservation in Iran: Case Study of the Rural Communities' Perspectives in Khojir National Park.
    M Kolahi, K Moriya, T Sakai, E Khosrojerdi, V Etemad
    International Journal of Environmental Research 8 (4), 913 , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 31
  • The Paris Agreement's approach toward climate change loss and damage
    A Amini, M Abedi, E Nesari, E Daryadel, M Kolahi, H Mianabadi, J Fisher
    World Affairs 186 (1), 46-80 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 29
  • Ecotourism Potentials for Financing Parks and Protected Areas: A Perspective From Iran's Parks
    M Kolahi, T Sakai, K Moriya, M Aminpour
    Journal of Modern Accounting and Auditing 9 (1), 144-152 , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 27
  • Administrative Organizational Structures towards General Environmental Policies
    M Kolahi
    Quarterly Journal of the Macro and Strategic Policies 8 (31), 510-534 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 25
  • Natural resources stakeholders.
    M Kolahi
    2021
    Citations: 24
  • Toward the development of a conceptual framework for the complex interaction between environmental changes and rural-urban migration
    A Mianabadi, K Davary, H Mianabadi, M Kolahi, E Mostert
    Frontiers in Water 5, 1142307 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 23
  • Criteria and Indicators; Requirement for Cognition, Applying and Evaluating Good Governance in Natural Resources
    M Payste, M Kolahi, H Omranian khorasani
    Water and Sustainable Development 7 (1), 13-22 , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 22
  • Protected Areas Management and Environmental Sociology in Iran
    M Kolahi
    Scholars’ Press , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 22
  • Visitors’ Characteristics and Attitudes towards Iran’s National Parks and participatory conservation
    M Kolahi, T Sakai, K Moriya, M Yoshikawa, S Trifkovic
    Parks 20 (1), 49-62 , 2014
    2014
    Citations: 21
  • Legal conflicts among natural resources stakeholders in Iran
    M Kolahi, M Jannatichenar, K Davies, C Hoffmann
    British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies 50 (1), 160-179 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 19
  • Ecological-environmental challenges and restoration of aquatic ecosystems of the Middle-Eastern
    A Piralizefrehei, M Kolahi, J Fisher
    Scientific Reports 12 (17229) , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 19
  • Modeling Wetland Restoration Scenarios in Gavkhooni International Wetland
    ARP Zefrehei, M Kolahi, J Fisher
    Restoration Ecology, e13721 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 18