Fuzzy Taxonomy Approach in Providing Effective Strategies in Desert Governance

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Environment, Tak.C., Islamic Azad University, Takestan, Iran.

2 Department of Arid and Mountainous Regions Reclamation, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

Abstract

Desertification is a complex socio-economic problem resulting from the performance and interaction of multiple factors that are always in uncertain environments and are strongly influenced by ambiguous and non-explicit judgments. Therefore, in the framework of natural resource governance, the use of fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making structures seems necessary to evaluate strategies to combat desertification. This research aimed to determine the priority of strategies to combat desertification using a fuzzy taxonomy model and was conducted on a case-by-case basis in the Yazd-Khazarabad plain during the years 2023-2024. In order to achieve this goal, effective criteria and strategies were first identified and evaluated using the fuzzy Delphi method. Then, the combined values were estimated and a fuzzy decision matrix was obtained. Next, the decision matrix was defuzzified and balanced. Finally, after performing the deviation test and ensuring the homogeneity of the strategies, the priority of the strategies was obtained by estimating the taxonomic degree. Based on the results of the research process, the strategy of "adjusting groundwater resource extraction" (31A) was evaluated with a relative priority of 0.002643 as the most important strategy in controlling and reducing the effects of desertification and restoring degraded lands. Finally, it is suggested that desertification control plans, in accordance with the strategic document obtained in the study area, emphasize the results achieved in order to accelerate the improvement of the unstable situation and prevent the waste of limited funds.

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