An integrated approach of Ecological Footprint (EF) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in human ecology: A base for planning toward sustainability

Abstract

Environmental challenges to natural resources have been attributed to human behavior and traditional agricultural production techniques. Natural resource degradation in agriculture has always been a prime concern in agro ecological research and sustainability analysis. There are many techniques for assessing environmental performance; one of which, ecological footprint (EF), assesses human pressure on the environment and natural resources. The main purpose of this study was calculation of ecological indices including biocapacity (BC) and EF of rural areas of Fars province of Iran. The study was accomplished using survey and structured interviews consisting of three main questionnaires in two different steps. Different agricultural stakeholders, including farmers (for the first step) as well as the policymakers, extension managers and authorities (for the second step) were interviewed. Based on multi-stage stratified random sampling, 50 villages and 423 farmers were selected. Face validity and reliability of the questionnaires were assessed by a panel of specialists as well as conducting a pilot study, respectively. The paradigmatic perspectives of agricultural policy makers and managers (22 individuals) were also analyzed using another specific questionnaire by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Findings revealed that most of the studied villages faced a critical environmental condition due to the results of ecological indicator which was calculated in the study. According to the four main components of human ecology (POET model) including Population, Organization, Environment and Technology, village groups that differed in terms of sustainability level also showed significantly differences due to population, social participation, use of green technologies and attitude towards diverse environmental management paradigms. The causal model also revealed that population, green technology, social participation and attitude toward frontier economics, which were in accordance with the elements of human ecology model, were the main factors affecting the ecological index. Finally, AHP results determined the dominant economic perspectives of agricultural authorities. A paradigm shift toward the comprehensive paradigm of eco-development plus consideration of the results of the ecological indicator calculation as the base of agricultural planning at the local level were recommended.

Analysis of Environmental Carrying Capacity Based on the Ecological Footprint for the Sustainable Development of Alborz, Iran

“…In the present study, the environmental carrying capacity model (i.e., ecological footprint and biological capacity) is selected to assess ecological sustainability and achieve the desired balance. The environmental carrying capacity is a tool for better sustainable spatial management [81], and its implementation is essential for managing resource consumption properly and environmental planning in Iran [82].…”

Research on Strategy Optimization of Green Agricultural Production Trusteeship to Promote Black Land Protection

“…The environmental challenges faced by natural resources are attributed to traditional agricultural production technology, and the key to prevent the degradation of natural resources is to realize green production technology. Fatemi et al calculated the ecological indices such as the biocapacity and ecological footprint of rural areas of the Fars province of Iran and concluded that green technology is the main factor affecting the ecological index [31]. Green agricultural production technology plays an important role in sustainable environmental development.…”

Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and quantitative weight analysis in structure management of human resources

“…In Fig 3B, AHP is a multi-objective evaluation and decision-making method that leverages both qualitative and quantitative analysis [27]. This approach organizes a complex problem into a hierarchical structure, allowing for the determination of relative weights for each element through pairwise comparison.…”