Evaluation of Ecological Vulnerability Using Extended Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (EFAHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS) (Case Study: of Kerman Province)

This paper explores ecological vulnerability of Kerman province using Extended Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (EFAHP) for calculating relative importance of criteria and sub-criteria, and Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method in Geographic Information System (GIS) for combining spatial information. Ecological vulnerability is the degree to which an ecosystem can tolerate changes that caused by nature or human activities. By evaluating this index sensitive and vulnerable areas are identified, therefor those humane activities that can destroy natural ecosystem in these areas must be prevented. This study has been conducted, firstly, by reviewing previous literature for identifying important criteria in evaluating ecological vulnerability, and seven criteria were identified including elevation, slope, aspect, density of vegetation, depth of soil, geology: erodibility of rocks and climate. Based on principles of EFAHP the comparison matrix of these criteria and their sub-criteria were developed, then by interviewing ten experts their relative importance were calculated. The spatial layers of these criteria were prepared in GIS and their relative importance were assigned to them. These layers were combined using WLC method to develop ecological vulnerability map of Kerman province. The results demonstrating high vulnerability in north, north east and east parts of Kerman province with 25.4% and 26.4% of the area in vulnerable and sensitive degree, respectively. These areas have very vulnerable ecosystem and spatial attention needs to be taken into account toward these areas in future development plans of Kerman province by planners and policy makers.