Volume 12, Issue 3 (11-2018)
مرتع 2018, 12(3): 316-329 |
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Ghorbani nia V, Mirsanjari M, Liaghati H. Evaluating ecotourism potential development in Dena county using multi-criteria evaluation of specific hybrid indices. مرتع 2018; 12 (3) :316-329
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-646-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-646-en.html
Abstract: (4722 Views)
Evaluating ecological and ecotourism capability along with proper planning can lead to sustainable utilization of natural areas. This study aimed to use five unique indicators of ecotourism including Wildlife Distribution Index (WDI), Ecotourism Attraction Index (EAI), Environmental Attraction Index (ERI), Infrastructure Facility Index (IFI), and the Ecotourism Diversity Index (EDI) to identify and prioritize potential ecotourism development in Dena County, with more than 90% of natural areas including rangelands and forests. Primary maps including altitude, habitat of wildlife, vegetation type and density, land use and land cover, slope, geographic aspect, rock and soil sensitivity to erosion, landslide and earthquake sensitivity, tourist attraction features and infrastructure along with maps of the specific hybrid indices of ecotourism potential assessment were produced in the GIS environment and classified based on the ecotourism capabilities. The relative importance of the indices on the ecotourism capability of the study area was determined using the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP), and linear weighting method of hybrid indices. The results showed that the percentages allocated to suitable classes (S1), relatively suitable (S2), to some extent suitable (S3) and unsuitable (S4) of ecotourism development in the study area were 7, 85, 7, and 0.001 percent respectively. Some 12400 hectare as good potential for ecotourism development distributed evenly in the study area. Very low unsuitable class of ecotourism development of the study area implies the pristine and high capacity of this area for ecotourism purposes. This result indicates investment for ecotourism improvements in this area is highly required.
Keywords: Ecotourism, Multi-criteria evaluation, Hybrid specific indices, Primary variables, Dena County.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2018/11/30 | Accepted: 2018/11/30 | Published: 2018/11/30
Received: 2018/11/30 | Accepted: 2018/11/30 | Published: 2018/11/30
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