Evaluation of socio-economic factors affecting the destruction of Niyuk Meybod rangelands using AHP hierarchical analysis method

Social and economic studies are important in investigating rangeland destruction. Investigating the role of social and economic issues in rangeland destruction can reduce destruction in this ecosystem. For this reason, this research has been done to identify the most important socioeconomic factors affecting rangeland destruction in the Niyuk region and prioritize the mentioned criteria using an Analytical Hierarchical process to provide complete information about the causes of rangeland destruction in the region. Considering that no research has been done in this area so far, it increases the necessity of conducting the present research.

Niuk area is located in Yazd province according to country divisions. In this research, first, by studying the sources and consulting with the relevant experts, the most important socioeconomic criteria involved in the destruction of rangelands in the area were determined, and a questionnaire was designed to score and calculate the weight and priority of these criteria. Enough experts completed it. The region's socioeconomic indicators, criteria, and sub-criteria were identified using experts' opinions and research records, and a hierarchical structure was formed. The main criteria include economic and social indicators. Economic indicators are divided into three sub-criteria: livestock and animal husbandry, cutting and harvesting, and change of land use and plans.The sub-criteria considered for the standard of livestock and livestock farming includes a large number of livestock, indiscriminate grazing of rangelands, type of livestock, change of livestock farming method from traditional to industrial, non-observance of livestock entry and exit time, improper distribution of livestock in the rangelands and improper grazing system. Three main sub-criteria of population, poverty, and institutional factors were identified for social indicators. Three main criteria and 14 sub-criteria were identified for social indicators.

A paired comparison between economic and social indicators showed that economic indicators weighing 0.667 have the priority in destroying rangelands. Social indicators with a weight of 0.333 have second priority. Among the main criteria examined by economic indicators, the sub-criterion of change of use and plans with a weight of 0.683 has been allocated the most. It is below the livestock and animal husbandry standard with a 0.200 weight. It was ranked third for cut and harvest with a 0.177 weight.Among the main criteria of social indicators, the criterion of institutional factors with a weight of 0.637 is the priority, and the factors of poverty and population are in the next ranks with weights of 0.258 and 0.105. The results showed that the sub-criteria of converting rangelands into mines, building access roads to mines, and political interference in natural resources were ranked first to third with weights of 0.176, 0.083, and 0.082. The first two sub-criteria of economic indicators and the third criterion of social indicators are the destruction of rangelands in the Newek region. The sub-criteria of literacy status and age composition of the population with weights of 0.004 and 0.003 were placed in the last priority. These sub-criteria were related to social indicators.

It can be concluded that the most important factors of the region's destruction are the change of land use and conversion of rangelands to mines, construction of access roads to mines, institutional factors and interference with natural resources, and lack of integrated management of natural resources. To prevent the destruction of rangelands in the region, it is necessary to minimize the construction of any mines and communication ways related to mines, and it is suggested that considering the activity of mines, the customary rights of pastoralists should be considered and the participation of ranchers in decision-making should be expanded to maximize the possibility of the success of projects with the support of stakeholders.