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Volume 40, Issue 1 (2025)
GeoRes 2025, 40(1): 73-83 |
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Received: 2025/02/1 | Accepted: 2025/03/10 | Published: 2025/03/15
Received: 2025/02/1 | Accepted: 2025/03/10 | Published: 2025/03/15
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Aryanpooya M, Pazhouhan I. Environmental Capability Assessment of the Arasbaran Forests for Ecotourism Development Using the Multi-Criteria Evaluation Model. GeoRes 2025; 40 (1) :73-83
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Authors
M. Aryanpooya1, I. Pazhouhan *1
1- Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
Abstract (343 Views)
Aims: The Arasbaran Protected Area, with over 65% forest cover and high biodiversity, is considered one of Iran’s most valuable ecosystems. The accelerating degradation of this region highlights the urgent need for sustainable management and environmental assessment. This study aims to evaluate the ecological capability of the Arasbaran forests for ecotourism development, as a strategy to promote environmental conservation and enhance the livelihoods of local communities.
Methodology: Initially, relevant indicators were identified using the Delphi method. The criterion maps were then digitized in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment and normalized using fuzzy logic. By applying the Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) model and Weighted Linear Combination (WLC), prioritization and zoning of the area were carried out with an ecotourism approach.
Findings: The results indicated that the “physical environment” criterion had the highest importance with a weight of 0.579, followed by “environmental” (0.251) and “infrastructural” (0.168) criteria. Among the physical sub-criteria, slope (0.144), soil (0.136), and distance to rivers (0.135) had the highest weights. The distance to protected areas (0.522) was the most significant environmental sub-criterion. Within the infrastructural category, land use (0.41) and distance to villages (0.121) received the highest and lowest weights, respectively. Final zoning results showed that only 14% of the area was classified as “highly suitable”, 23% as “moderately suitable”, and 63% as unsuitable for ecotourism.
Conclusion: Only a limited portion of the Arasbaran forests has a “highly suitable” capacity for ecotourism development, while more than half of the area lacks such potential. Physical and ecological criteria had the greatest influence in assessing the region’s ecotourism potential.
Methodology: Initially, relevant indicators were identified using the Delphi method. The criterion maps were then digitized in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment and normalized using fuzzy logic. By applying the Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) model and Weighted Linear Combination (WLC), prioritization and zoning of the area were carried out with an ecotourism approach.
Findings: The results indicated that the “physical environment” criterion had the highest importance with a weight of 0.579, followed by “environmental” (0.251) and “infrastructural” (0.168) criteria. Among the physical sub-criteria, slope (0.144), soil (0.136), and distance to rivers (0.135) had the highest weights. The distance to protected areas (0.522) was the most significant environmental sub-criterion. Within the infrastructural category, land use (0.41) and distance to villages (0.121) received the highest and lowest weights, respectively. Final zoning results showed that only 14% of the area was classified as “highly suitable”, 23% as “moderately suitable”, and 63% as unsuitable for ecotourism.
Conclusion: Only a limited portion of the Arasbaran forests has a “highly suitable” capacity for ecotourism development, while more than half of the area lacks such potential. Physical and ecological criteria had the greatest influence in assessing the region’s ecotourism potential.