Assessment of de-desertification alternatives using Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP): Case study of Khezrabad region in Yazd

In order to enhance the efficiency of control plans, reclamation and restoration of destroyed lands and prevention of limited capitals loss are necessary. Absence of a method for covering various criteria and alternatives and proposing the optimal solutions based on a systematic structure and collective view has been always noticed in de-desertification plans. It has been always observed that the alternatives are proposed based on the expert’s partial, nonsystematic and non-holistic view while he or she has no experience in application of systematic models, such as Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM), in de-desertification. Therefore, in this study, the systematic Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) model has been used for proposing optimal solutions to de desertification. In this study, opinions of experts about the priority of criteria and alternatives were assessed by Fuzzy Delphi method and Pirewise comparisons. Then, the final priority of alternatives was obtained by using fuzzy decision making matrix and FAHP model. This model was employed for assessing the efficiency of proposing optimal alternatives in Khezrabad region in Yazd province. According to the obtained results, modification of groundwater withdrawal, with an average weight of 93, was identified as the optimal de-desertification alternative in the study area, and other alternatives were found to have an insignificant role in control of desertification.