Analysis of the Alternatives to Combat Desertification Derived from the Decision-Making Models Using the Social Choice Functions (Case Study of Khezerabad Region in Yazd Province)

Different decision-making models are applied for assessing and providing the desertification optimal strategies through taking into account the total effective measures that sometimes the results of the prioritization of these models are not consistent. This issue depends on the nature of the model, the considered criteria, and the way of weighing the criteria as a group by the experts. So, there is need for presenting some functions in some groups to prioritize the strategies offered in each region by the different models on the basis of logic and strong principles and theoretical foundations.

In this paper, it has been tried to do so by using the Social Choice functions. The Social Choice functions are a counting method from a set of given alternatives to resolve the voting paradox and the inconsistency of prioritizing. Therefore, for the final selection from the Nanson, Kemeny and Gopeland functions are used and the desertification strategies were analyzed.

The obtained results from functions indicated that, the alternatives of prevention of unsuitable land use changes (A18), vegetation cover development and reclamation (A23) and modification of ground water harvesting (A31) respectively were identified as the most important alternatives for combating desertification in the region.

The results of the evaluation of the strategies showed that the obtained rankings are somewhat different from each other, which is mainly due to the structure of the methods. The results of this study enable the managers of desert areas to use the limited facilities and funds allocated to control the desertification process in correct and efficient ways in order to achieve better results, to avoid wastage. Prevent the outflow of national funds. Therefore, it was suggested that in the plans to control and reduce the effects of desertification and rehabilitation of degraded lands, the results and rankings obtained should be considered.