Application of analytical hierarchy process and geographic information system in capability evaluation of Babolrood basin lands for range management

Determination of land capability for optimal use of land and prevention from land degradation due to improper use is an effective step towards sustainable development strategy. Due to the importance of the issue, in this study, ecological capability of Babolrood basin-Mazandaran for range management was evaluated using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS). Thus, the hierarchy of evaluation process was created and the weights of criteria and indicators were computed using expert's judgments and indicators were mapped in GIS environment. In final step, ecological capability map of range management was generated using GIS-based Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) technique. Results showed that 78.94% of the study area had no capability and 1.21, 13.02, 6.7 and 0.13% of the study area had the class capability of first, second, third and fourth, respectively.