Integrating Technical, Socio-Economic, and Sustainability Dimensions for Spatial Stratification of Ecosystem Services Using the AHP Method

Abstract

Forest management is inherently complex, requiring a multi-dimensional approach to set management goals that balance the competing demands of ecosystem services, public expectations, and scientific-political considerations. This study addresses the necessity for recognising, prioritizing, and spatially stratifying ecosystem services (ES) based on technical suitability, stakeholder involvement, and the categories of sustainability within Turkey's forest ecosystem management framework in Yaln & imath;z & ccedil;am case study area. By leveraging Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods, particularly the Delphi technique with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), this research captures both scientific ground and perspectives of various sectors with a stratification model to determine ES provisions. The iterative framework includes ES identification and prioritization steps, culminating in their spatial stratification of forest stands with geographic information system. The results indicate that ES stratification highlighted the primary focus on biodiversity conservation (78.5%) and water protection (13.3%), with minimal provision for timber production (7.9%) and soil protection (0.04%), and none for climate regulation, eco-tourism, and non-wood forest products. This approach enables a more efficient spatial zoning strategy, balancing technical and socio-cultural factors, and streamlining decision-making processes crucial for sustainable forest management paradigm.