Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Determining an appropriate method for the purpose of land allocation for ecotourism development (case study: Taleghan County, Iran)

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Appropriate management and planning of suitable areas for the development of ecotourism activities can play an important role in ensuring proper use of the environment. Due to the complexity of nature, applying different tools and models—particularly multi-criteria methods—can be useful in order to achieve these goals. In this study, to indicate suitable areas (land allocation) for ecotourism activities in Taleghan county, weighted linear combination (WLC) using geographical information system (GIS), fuzzy logic, and analytical network process (ANP) were used. To compare the applicability of each of these methods in achieving the goal, the results were compared with the previous model presented by Makhdoum. The results showed that the WLC and ANP methods are more efficient than the Makhdoum model in allocating lands for recreational areas and ecotourism purposes since concomitant use of fuzzy logic and ANP for ranking and weighing the criteria provides us with more flexible and logical conditions. Furthermore, the mentioned method makes it possible to involve ecological, economic, and social criteria simultaneously in the evaluation process in order to allocate land for ecotourism purposes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ananda, J., & Herath, G. (2003). Use of analytic hierarchy process to incorporate stakeholder preferences into regional forest planning. Forest Policy and Economics, 5(1), 13–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anomasiri, W. (2004). Eastern philosophy of ecotourism management model in Mae Son Province. Thailand: Master Thesis, Technology of Environmental Management, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babaie-Kafaky, S., Mataji, A., & Ahmadi-Sani, A. (2009). Ecological capability assessment for multiple-use in forest areas using GIS-based multiple criteria decision making approach. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 5, 714–721.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balli, A., Monavari, M., Riazi, B., Khorasani, N., & Kheirkhah Zarkesh, M. (2015). A spatial decision support system for ecotourism development in Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests ecoregion. Boletim de Ciências Geodesicas, sec Artigos, Curitiba, 21(2), 340–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barzekar, G., Aziz, A., Mariapan, M., Ismail, M. H., & Hosseni, S. M. (2011). Delphi technique for generating criteria and indicators in monitoring ecotourism sustainability in Northern forests of Iran: case study on Dohezar and Sehezar Watersheds. Folia Forestalia Polonica Series, 53(2), 130–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, S.W., & Butler, R.W. (1993). Review of the development of ecotourism with respect to identifying criteria for ecotourism for Northern Ontario. Forestry Canada, Ontario Region Sault Set. Marie, ON. Unpublished File Report No. 5. 54p.

  • Bunruamkaew, K. H., & Murayama, Y. (2012). Site suitability evaluation for ecotourism using GIS & AHP: a case study of Surat Thani Province Thailand. Journal of Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 21, 269–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dashti, S., Monavari, M., Hosseini, M., Riazi, B., & Momeni, M. (2013). Application of GIS, AHP, fuzzy and WLC in island ecotourism development, case study of Qeshm Island, Iran. Life Science Journal, 10(1), 1274–1282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhami, I., Deng, J., Burns, R., & Pierskalla, C. (2014). Identifying and mapping forest-based ecotourism areas in West Virginia—incorporating visitors’ preferences. Tourism Management, 42, 165–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drumm, A., & Moore, A. (2005). Ecotourism development: a manual for conservation planners and managers, volume 1: an introduction to ecotourism planning (2nd ed.). Arlington, VA: The Nature Conservancy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eastman, J. R. (2006). IDRISI Andes guide to GIS and image processing. Clark University.

  • Ghoddousi, J. (2014). Application of MCDM techniques in HSE and environment management. Lecture note (In Persian). IAU. Science and Research Branch, Tehran. College of Environment and Energy.

  • Hajehforooshina, S. H., Soffianian, A., Salman Mahiny, A., & Fakheran., S. (2011). Multi objective land allocation (MOLA) for zoning Ghamishloo Wildlife Sanctuary in Iran. Journal for Nature Conservation, 19(4), 254–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hosseini, M., Ghafouri, A. M., Mohd Amin, M. S., Tabatabaei, M. R., & Ali Gholami, S. (2012). The landuse change detection in Taleghan catchment. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 7(25), 3665–3672.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janke, J. R. (2010). Multi-criteria GIS modeling of wind and solar farms in Colorado. Renewable Energy, 35, 2228–2234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kangas, J., Kangas, A., Leskinen, P., & Pykalainen, J. (2001). MCDM methods in strategic planning of forestry on state-owned lands in Finland. Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, 10, 257–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karimi, A., & Makhdoum, M. (2009). Site selection for development of ecotourism activity in coastal areas of eastern Gilan Province using GIS. Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 16(1).

  • Leksakundilok, A. (2004). Ecotourism and community-based ecotourism in the Mekong Region. Working paper series: working paper no.10, The Australian Mekong Resource Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney.

  • Leksakundilok, A. (2006). Community participation in ecotourism development in Thailand.

  • Lindberg, K., & Mckercher, B. (1997). Ecotourism: a critical overview. Pacific Tourism Review, 1(1), 65–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahdavil, A., Niknejad, M., & Karami, O. (2015). A fuzzy multi-criteria decision method for locating ecotourism development. Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences, 13(3), 221–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Makhdom, M. F. (1999). Fundamental of land use planning, publication of Tehran University. Iran: Third edition.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malczewski, J. (2004). GIS-based land-use suitability analysis: a critical overview. Journal of Progress in Planning, 62.

  • Mendoza, G., & Prabhu, R. (2006). Participatory modeling and analysis for sustainable forest management: overview of soft system dynamics models and applications. Forest Policy and Economics, 9(2), 179–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mobaraki, O., Abdollahzadeh, M., & Kamelifar, Z. (2014). Site suitability evaluation for ecotourism using GIS and AHP: a case study of Isfahan Townships, Iran. Management Science Letters, 4(8), 1893–1898.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ok, K. (2005). Multiple criteria activity selection for ecotourism planning in Igneada. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 30, 153–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozkan, A., & Banar, M. (2010). Refuse derive fuel (RDF) utilization in cement industry by using analytical network process (ANP). Chemical Engineering Transactions, 21, 747–751.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phua, M., & Minowa, M. (2004). A GIS-based multi-criteria decision making approach to forest conservation planning at a landscape scale: a case study in the Kinabalu Area, Sabah, Malaysia. Landscape and Urban Planning, 71, 207–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piran, H., Maleknia, R., Akbari, H., Soosani, J., & Karami, O. (2013). Site selection for local forest park using analytic hierarchy process and geographic information system (case study: Badreh County). International Research Journal of Applied and Basic Sciences, 6(7), 930–935.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qadiri, M. M., Baqbani, H. R., & Nourani, H. (2012). The role of rural tourism in rural and urban relations in the county of Taleqan. Spatial Planning, 2(1), 27–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahmani, O., Rasouli, S.H., Pliehvar, A.A. (2011). Locating optimal capable places for ecotourism development using GIS, case study: Kalaleh County. The First Specialized Congress on Urban Management and Town Councils.

  • Rezaei-Moghaddam, K., & Karami, E. (2008). A multiple criteria evaluation of sustainable agricultural development models using AHP. Environment Development and Sustainability, 10, 407–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saaty, T. L. (1996). Decision making for leaders: the analytic hierarchy process for decisions in a complex world (3rd ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: RWS Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saaty, T.L., & Vargas L.G. (2001). Models, methods, concepts and applications of the analytic hierarchy process. International series in operations research and management sciences. Kluwer Academic Publisher, springer, p.333.

  • Salman Mahini, A., & Gholamalifard, M. (2006). Siting MSW landfills with a weighted linear combination methodology in a GIS environment. International journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 3(4), 435–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thapa, R. B., & Murayama, Y. (2007). Land evaluation for peri-urban agriculture using analytical hierarchy process and geographic information system techniques: a case study of Hanoi. Land Use Policy, 25, 225–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsaur, S. H., Lin, Y. C., & Lin, J. H. (2006). Evaluating ecotourism sustainability from the integrated perspective of resource, community and tourism. Tourism Management, 27(4), 640–653.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tulay, C., & Hayran, C. (2006). Land use potential and suitability for areas of arable and garden farming, meadow-pasture and recreation-tourism in Alpagut village, Bolu, Turkey. Journal of Applied Sciences, 6(8), 1641–1651.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ullah, K.M., Hafiz, R. (2013). Finding suitable locations for ecotourism development in Cox’s Bazar using geographical information system and analytical hierarchy process. Journal of Geocarto International, 1–12.

  • Ying, X., Guang-Ming, Z., Gui-Qiu, C., Lin, T., Ke-Lin, W., & Dao-You, H. (2007). Combining AHP with GIS in synthetic evaluation of eco-environment quality, a case study of Hunan Province, China. Ecological Modeling, 209, 97–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuksel, I., & Dagdeviren, M. (2007). Using the analytic network process ANP in a SWOT analysis—a case study for a textile firm. Information Sciences, 177, 3364–3382.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zarifian, S., Rostami, J., & Alavi, A. (2013). Site-selection of optimal sites for bird watching to ecotourism and hospitality development in International Qurigol Wetland. Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 12, 30–36.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    H. Aliani

  2. Department of Forestry, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    S. Babaie Kafaky

  3. Department of Geographical Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

    A. Saffari

  4. Department of Environmental Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    S. M. Monavari

Authors
  1. H. Aliani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Babaie Kafaky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Saffari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. M. Monavari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Babaie Kafaky.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Aliani, H., Kafaky, S.B., Saffari, A. et al. Determining an appropriate method for the purpose of land allocation for ecotourism development (case study: Taleghan County, Iran). Environ Monit Assess 188, 651 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5651-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5651-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation