Table 6 Ecological features (source: authors)
Theme | 1- Water Infrastructure |
Explanation | The most important functional feature of the Qanat is its role as a traditional water supply system. For centuries, Qanat has been a reliable source of water in hot and dry climates, especially on the plateau of Iran, where it has made the region habitable and cultivated. Today, it is used in many regions around the world, including the plateau of Iran, for the agricultural sector. In addition to providing water for irrigation and drinking, Qanat have been integrated into the cultural infrastructure of cities and villages by supplying water for mosques, schools, baths, and funerals |
Sources | Delfani et al. 2021; Kowkabi 2021; Sedghi and Zhan 2022; Bagheban-Golpasand et al. 2019a, b; Bailiff et al. 2015; Parsizadeh et al. 2015; Shams 2014; Hamidian et al. 2015; Lightfoot 1996; Colonel and Noel 1944; Motiee et al. 2006; Endreny 2008; Hosseini et al. 2010; Jomehpour 2009; Beaumont 1971; Charbonnier 2018; Vayysi 2021; Radaei et al. 2021 |
Theme | 2- Ecological and sustainable |
Explanation | Qanat is often referred to as a sustainable and environmentally friendly system in numerous articles. It uses only gravity for water extraction, does not create any pollution, and all the materials used in Qanat installations are environmentally friendly and recyclable Qanat transfer fresh water from the mountain to the downstream plains that have more saline soil, thus preventing the spread of desertification by keeping the soil moisture balanced, preventing soil salinity, and stabilizing the soil. As a water supply network, Qanat preserves and connects ecological elements and scattered biomes The Qanat does not cause a significant discharge of underground water, unlike a well, because the amount of water in the Qanat is proportional to the volume of the underground aquifer, and it utilizes the surplus of underground water. The Qanat is a living organism that balances the water level of underground aquifers even during severe droughts. The Qanat is an eco-technology that demonstrates the relationship between humans and the environment, and it adapts to geographical conditions. Asgharzadeh further suggests that the Qanat has a self-regulating, generative, and self-aware nature towards the environment, and it possesses degrees of intelligence and artificial intelligence. However, it should be noted that this idea has only been discussed in one article |
Sources | Kowkabi 2021; Motiee et al. 2006; Hamidian et al. 2015; Jomehpour 2009; Endreny 2008; Radaei et al. 2021; Hosseini 2010; Sedghi and Zhan 2022; Delfani et al. 2021; Ebizadeh 2011; Tabatabaei and Khozeymehnezhad 2019; Laghaei et al. 2012; Nasiri and Mafakheri 2015; Jomehpour 2009; Asgharzadeh et al. 2017; Jomehpour 2009; Ebizadeh 2011; Labbaf Khaneiki 2019, 2016; |
Theme | 3- Clean Energy Generator |
Explanation | The water mill uses the flow of water from the Qanat to move the mill wheel and grind wheat into flour. Additionally, wind deflectors were facilities that used the humidity of the Qanat and wind flow to cool buildings |
Sources | Ahmadi, Nazarisamani, and Malekian 2014; Jomehpour 2009; Delfani et al. 2021; Tabatabaei and Khozeymehnezhad 2019 |
Theme | 4- Protector of vegetation and animals |
Explanation | The water infrastructure of Qanat in cities and villages promotes the formation and preservation of agricultural lands, gardens, green spaces, green corridors (along the network of streams), and green areas adjacent to dams and pools. In dry areas, the Qanat is considered the only aquatic habitat for fish, crabs, shrimps, etc |
Sources | Radaei et al. 2021; Bouzarjomehri and Khatami 2018; Hashemzadeh Segherloo 2015a, b; Mansouri et al. 2010; Ramin and Doustdar 2019; Azh et al.2015; Ebizadeh 2011; Sadeghi et al. 2013; Abadian et al. 2017 |