The Application of Delphi Method in Classification and Prioritization of Criteria for the Selection of Protected Areas: an Integrated Approach

Natural sites with cultural value are one of the most important biological and cultural diversity reservoirs which have been conserved over several centuries by people. But in the present era, due to the lack of conservation criteria and also because of human activities, these sites have been threatened. The aim of this paper is to prioritize criteria for identification of conservation zones with cultural value. At first essential criteria for the aims of the survey were identified, and then assembled in a new structure. On the whole, 12 criteria were identified for the selection of protected areas, afterwards based on the Delphi method these criteria were screened out and the criteria landscapes with cultural values, intangible cultural assets, legal protection, tangible cultural assets, geographical region with natural value, social tendency, social institutions, unique natural landscape, geographical region with cultural value, specific species, conservation importance and social dependency; respectively, were considered important.