Multi-criteria analysis applied to a decision-making model for the environmental management in Andean watersheds

Abstract

Abstract: Environmental management is priority, especially for semi-arid regions, which are concurrently affected by climate change, food insecurity and poor governance. The management is often done without any support tool, scientific data or detailed knowledge about the conditions in the territory, which is necessary to implement adequate and sustainable treatment practices. The present study developed a decision support methodology to identify priority zones for soil and water conservation at watersheds level in an Andean semiarid catchment in southern Ecuador. Therefore, information respective to morphometry, land use/land cover, soils as well as demography were analyzed, and a multi- criteria approach applied to determine the most vulnerable parts. The results indicated a scattered distribution of the priority values within the watershed, why an additional decision rule was incorporated to define the priority areas at sub-watershed level. The analysis showed that 4 sub-watersheds have high priority, which indicates the need to implement management practice as soon as possible. The tool developed in this study provide an instrument for decision makers to initiate the necessary natural resources conservation projects.