Investigating the Factors Influencing Wetland Degradation According to CIPA Decision Support Criteria by Fuzzy Delphi Approach (Case Study: Amir Kalayeh Wetland, Guilan Province)

Wetlands are between water and land; they are of great importance for the livelihoods of the local communities. The aim of this study is to determine the factors influencing the destruction of Amir Kalayeh wetland in Guilan province. The criteria are based on CIPA goals, including 4 criteria as communication, education, participation and awareness-raising. Communication criteria consisted of 6 sub-criteria, education criterion with 5 sub-criteria, participation criteria with 3 sub-criteria and awareness-raising criterion with 6 sub-criteria. The criteria and sub-criteria were prioritized using fuzzy Delphi technique. The results showed the factors as sectional viewpoint of the organizations, lack of knowledge of the rules and legal regime of Amir Kalayeh wetland, lack of attention and reliance on indigenous knowledge, lack of awareness about the values, functions and threats of wetlands, and lack of reform and updating of deterrent laws (such as crimes and regulations) were identified as the most important contributing factors.