Evaluating Ecological Capacity for Using Ecotourism Using Fuzzy-AHP and ANP Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Models (Case Study: Khondab County)

The present study was done to evaluate the land suitability of Khondab county for ecotourism use. In this regard, after basic studies, soil, climate, physiography and vegetation criteria were used. The criteria were also weighed using FUZZY-AHP Buckley and ANP fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making methods. Then, the ecological model of the region's potential for prioritizing the use of ecotourism (centralized recreation and extensive recreation) after reviewing the ecological model of Makhdoom, was prepared using the WLC model and presented in three classes for the region. Comparison of the area of ecotourism use classes (concentrated and extensive recreation) by both Buckley FAHP and ANP methods shows that by Buckley FAHP method, 28% and 29% and by ANP method, 26% and 27% of the area region are suitable for concentrated and extensive recreation, respectively. In general, 67% of the total area is suitable for concentrated recreation by FAHP method, 71% by ANP method for concentrated recreation, 68% by FAHP Buckley method and 72% by ANP method for extensive recreation. Finally, it is concluded that most of the area has suitable conditions for the development of both concentrated and extensive recreation, but the best type of tourist use in the area is extensive recreation. Also, most of the eastern and southern parts of the region and a few parts of the northern and western parts of the region have suitable Potential for both types of recreation.