Application of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in Watershed Management (Case Study: Nahrein Catchment, Tabas)

Nowadays, inappropriate land use and degradation of natural resources have led to increase of flood, soil erosion etc. In such critical conditions, an integrated planning in natural resource management with the goal of control, reclamation and conservation seems to be necessary and these kinds of purposes can be reached by an integrated watershed management. Comprehensive management of watersheds is a coordinated and harmonic management of physical, biological, social and economic systems, which provides conditions that minimize the negative impact on resources while safeguarding the interests of the community. In this research, in line with the goals of resource management, the impacts and consequences of physical, economic and ecological criteria on vegetation condition changes were evaluated with focus on elimination of flood and soil erosion issues in Nahrein watershed (with the area of 18800 ha located in Tabas). The evaluation was done by considering four management activities: management of grazing, planting, seeding, and sowing. The prioritization of the scenarios was carried out using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique. Then, based on the suggestions and comments from relevant experts, the evaluation of available options was done by pairwise comparison matrix method. After calculations, economic criteria was selected as the most important criteria and management activity of sowing and scenario No. 16 were introduced as the most appropriate reform plan and scenario for the study area which is selected based on available criteria.