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Since in most mapping models geometric mean of different criteria are used to determine the desertification intensity, one of the most important issues in desertification studies is understanding the similar areas, which require similar management after determining the desertification intensity map. Two similar classes of desertification intensity may require different management due to differences in the criteria that affect its desertification severity. Therefore, after determining the geomorphological facies as the working units in Sistan plain, we used hierarchical cluster analysis to identify the homogeneous environmental management units (HEMUs) based on indices of MEDALUS model. According to the MEDALUS model, the studied area was divided into two categories namely medium and high desertification classes. Working units (geomorphological facies) are classified into five clusters according to HEMUs analysis based on climate, soil, vegetation, and wind erosion criteria. The first cluster (C11) include six facies with moderate and severe desertification; in all of these units the main effective factor was wind erosion, so they need the same management decisions controlling wind erosion. Two working units (1 and 4) with the same desertification severity were placed in two different clusters due to the main factors affecting each other. The results of the Mann-Whitney test showed that the value of the test statistics was 79. Also, the value of Asymp.Sig was obtained to be 0.018, which is less than 0.025 (two-tailed test), and it can be concluded that the classification of work units in the two models, clustering and desertification, is not equal (P<0.05). So It seems that using cluster analysis to identify the same units, which need the same management decision after preparing the desertification intensity, is necessary.

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"Introduction: Following the crisis of coronavirus outbreak in numerous regions of the world, this epidemic enhanced promptly in most countries, including Iran, and sent a host of patients in need of medical services to hospitals. This study aimed to investigate the challenges of operational management of a reference military hospital during the pandemic COVID-19. Methods: This research is a qualitative study with the content analysis method with a deductive and guided approach. Data collection was conducted through a semi-structured interview method and utilizing a questionnaire designed based on the management functions of the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS). The targeted sampling method and participants in this study included senior-middle managers working in organizational positions of the reference hospital in 2020 employed during the organizational position in Covid-19 Pandemic. Classifications and coding were performed employing MAXQDA 2018 software. Results: The findings of this study were explored in the form of strengths, weaknesses, and challenges. Weaknesses included taking surprise, early and non-missionary entry into the COVID-19 crisis, lack of appropriate depot, instant management, deficiencies in the training of patients and staff, poor functioning of the crisis management system, deficiencies in monitoring, and poor provision of psychological support. The strengths were the devoted and altruistic presence of the medical staff and managers, the financial support of the headquarters, the effective field research of the management team of the organization, and the proper management of the volunteer forces. The most significant challenge was the poor coordination with the relevant organizations, including the headquarters, the Defense Organization, and the Ministry of Health. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that in the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic to promote the operational management of the hospital, sticking to the general policies of the organization, structured coordination with internal and external organizations, organized management of equipment and human resources, generating a robust documentation structure and decision-making based on the evidence, effective and practical use of the crisis management system, systematic training of staff and patients, prioritizing the safety of patients and staff, organized dissemination of information and systematic monitoring as well as evaluation are the most significant points to deal with the epidemic crisis. "