Desertification Hazard Zoning Using Multi Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) Model

Nowadays, Desertification is one of the greatest environmental challenges. It is a global issue & its serious consequences affect on biodiversity, environmental safety, poverty eradication, economic & social stability & sustainable development around the world. Therefore, the most appropriate way to determine the extent of desertification risk is using experimental models. In this study to investigate the desertification multi attribute utility theory model was used. For this aim, required data layers were provided in ArcView environment. Then work units were separated using geomorphology method. By determining the effective index, the index values were determined in each works unit & the value of the indices to one another was determined by Shannon entropy method. In continues with calculating the equation of indices utility in work units, multi-attribute utility function or utility coefficient was estimated. Finally, the results were presented as evaluation map. The results showed that 0.42 & 8.92 percent of total study area are classified in very high & high class of desertification, respectively, & moderate desertification (81.74 percent) has the most share of desertification in the study area. Based on all factors, desertification utility index values for the entire region with value of 0.8677 was classified in moderate class. The results of this research provide the possibility of planning to minimize the effects of desertification in development projects, & can create conditions that the balance between development & environment projects be possible according to the priorities & vulnerability mapping of the study area.