Ecological Modeling of Land Suitability for Reclamation of Desert Using Buckley FAHP (Case Study: Zehkalut, Kerman)

Zehkalut in Jiroft, is one of the arid lands in the country, has been facing desertification problem in recent years, due to the improper exploitation of natural resources. As desertification has become a serious problem in this region, it seems necessary to use models for rehabilitation and biological restoration of the degraded areas, based on environmental conditions and ecological potential. The main aim of this study is to provide a model to determine an appropriate method of reclamation and rehabilitation of desert (desertification) considering all environmental factors for successful implementation of projects. A model for desert reclamation using Fuzzy AnalyticalHierarchy Process (FAHP) model has offered in this research. For this purpose, opinions of experts to determine the effective criteria and their priorities were evaluated by using Delphi method and pairwise comparisons. Then, by developing Fuzzy decision-making matrix and using weighted linear combination method, the coefficient of significance of the criteria was determined. Final land suitability map for land reclamation of the area was produced by applying the coefficient of significance of each criterion to the classified map of the same criterion and integrating the maps using a fuzzy gamma operator. Results showed that reclamation of degraded areas could be done only in margins of the watercourses by planting compatible and native tree species. This area include the lands that are predicted to be used with the utmost caution in biological operations, to justify the costs incurred. The results show the ability of the Fuzzy AnalyticalHierarchy Process and GIS in assessing land suitability for reclamation considering a group decision-making approach.