The Application of Multi-Criteria Decision Making Method in Integrated Management: A Case Study of Aghsu Watershed, Golestan Province, Iran

Integrated watershed management is a process allowing integrated development of water, land and other environmental resources in a watershed ecosystem to get sustainable economic and social outcomes. This research has concentrated on the physical, ecological and socio-economic impacts of vegetation-based management scenarios targeting flooding and soil erosion issues in Aghsu watershed, Golestan province. The study covers an area of 124.9 Km2. In this research, according to managerial problems of the region, four biological actions (contour furrows with planting of seedling, reforestation, channel terraces with tree planting and agro-forestry) and 16 management scenarios were taken into consideration. Then, using multi-criteria decision making algorithm, biological effects of proposed watershed management scenarios for Aghsu watershed were predicted and superior scenarios were determined. The analysis shows that scenario 11 (reforestation and agro-forestry) and scenario 7 (contour furrows with planting of seedling and reforestation) are the best scenario groups. These results suggest that the combination of scenarios for the two activities and reforestation activities have better outcomes. The scenario-based approach used in this study assists to predict the effects of biologic management action. It is assumed that using this approach watershed planners and stakeholders can choose the best scenario among possible management scenarios.