Evaluation and ranking of environmental Risks in Dena Protected Area using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Protected areas are a powerful tool to tackle the biodiversity crisis and threat assessments of protected areas, essential for ensuring the conservation and explain the protective measures in the future. Dena protected area is one of the richest parts of the country in terms of biodiversity with an area of 93780 hectares located in the Sisakht County. In this study, the Delphi method was used to identify risks in the region. According to the Likert range, from 26 identified risks in the region, 18 risk factor selected as the final risks in tow groups of environmental risks and natural risks. In order to analysis and prioritize the identified risks, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Expert Choice software was used. The results showed that the soil erosion risk from natural risk criteria with weight of 0.105, local agricultural damaging effects risk with weight of 0.025 in physical sub criteria , eradication of pasture and medicinal plants with weight of 0.049 in biological sub criteria, exploitation of vegetation and forests in order to provide forage for livestock, fuel and… with weigh of 0.0104 in socio-economic sub-criteria and the lack of efficient management of the environment with weigh of 0.074 in cultural sub criteria have the highest weight, respectively. Regional management indicated that now proper planning and efficient management for protect the area and the ability to run multiple applications with an emphasis on preserving its existence is not implemented. Risks management, optimal implementation of all criteria specified in laws of protection and improving the environment and identify vulnerable areas can be effective to manage the Dena Protected Area.