Application of Multiple Attribute Decision Making Methods in Environmental Hazards Analysis of Protected Areas

This study was conducted to analyze the hazards of Helleh Area of Boushehr. For this purpose, risks were identified in the region according to the field visits, interview with natives as well as studying the environmental characteristics. Then the screening of identified risks was completed using Delphi technique and its related questionnaires. Finally 26 risk factors were determined in both natural events and environmental risks. In the next step, Multiple Attribute Decision Making methods namely AHP and TOPSIS were applied for analyzing and prioritizing of identifed risks. In this research, risk factors were analyzed using three criteria of the severity, occurrence probability and sensitivity of recipient environment. Entropy technique was used for obtaining the criteria weights of TOPSIS method. Then the final priorities of risks were concluded from Average Method (combined TOPSIS and AHP). Water supply for Rayis Ali Delvari dam at the upper part of the study area threats for the wetland. So according to result of Average method, water supply for Rayis Ali Delvari dam as the most important risk factor with score 1 places in first preference. Unpermitted hunt of birds, irregular use of chemical poisons and fertilizer, construction of border road from safe and sensitive areas of wetland with score 4 place in second preference and conflagration in forest places in third preference with score 5. This prioritization shows the high importance of human risks than natural events. Use of modern irrigation systems in the area and biological ways for pest control are recommended among the most effective managerial strategies to control the identified risks.