Zoning of Oshtrankou Protected Area Using Multi-criteria Evaluation and K-MEANS Clustering Algorithm

Zoning of protected areas is an approach that can reduce conflicts between human and conservation activities by allocating areas to land management and land use units. The present study uses methods based on GIS and multi-criteria evaluation to zoning the protected area of Oshtrankooh. For this purpose, first, the existing zones in the area are identified, and for each of these zones and using a weighted linear combination, a map was prepared. The maps obtained in this step include the map of conservation, recreation, and development goals, each of which was created using layers related to these goals and using fuzzy sets. Finally, these three utility maps were combined and the final map was divided into desired classes using the K-MEANS clustering algorithm. The results of this analysis showed that the approach used in this study can well identify and differentiate the desired zones. The results also showed that 75% of the area is dedicated to safe and protection zones, the areas selected for these zones are highly connected and close to each other, which makes the management of these areas easier. Extensive, concentrated recreation zones and rehabilitation zones occupy 15, 3, and 7% of the area, respectively.