| GIS-AHP ensembles for interdisciplinary multi-criteria site selection: application to Desertification sensitivity index under climate change |
| Paper ID : 1081-ICRSSSA-FULL (R2) |
| Authors |
|
Mohamed A. E. AbdelRahman *1, Abd-Alla Gad Abd-Alla Gad2, Ahmed H. Zaky2 1Land Use department, Division of Environmental Studies and Land Use, National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS), Cairo 11769, Egypt; maekaoud@gmail.com 2Division of Environmental Studies and Land Use, National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS), Egypt. |
| Abstract |
| We propose GIS-AHP ensembles as an extension of the GIS-based Analytical Hierarchy Process (GIS-AHP) for tackling multi-stakeholder and multi-criteria site selection challenges. A case study from Egypt's surrounding desert areas on both sides of the Nile delta exemplifies the process for regionally prospecting soil sample sites using interdisciplinary expert groups. A feasible response option for regional food producers in Egypt facing climatically driven soil deterioration is to tap underdeveloped soil. However, due to the large number of stakeholders involved in the decision-making process, selecting ideal sites might lead to serious dispute. The GIS-AHP ensemble technique successfully enables transdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder decision-making in the context of land management adaptation under climate change, as proven by the case study. Unlike the conventional GIS-AHP, the novel GIS-AHP ensemble method may take into account different problem perceptions and examine the robustness of produced site rating outcomes in multi-actor situations. For both locations, the GIS-AHP ensemble site rating values are validated by employing long-established soil management areas as markers of favorable site conditions. The results of the interdisciplinary site evaluation are checked for consistency in terms of future soil sustainability. The proposed GIS-AHP ensemble methodology can be used to solve any site selection problem and can help to promote integrated environmental management practices. |
| Keywords |
| Soils; interdisciplinary; GIS-AHP; climate change; adaptation; site selection |
| Status: Accepted (Oral Presentation) |
