Participatory Spatial Multi-criteria Evaluation for Land-Use Planning and Decision Making in Mezam, Cameroon

Abstract

This research uses participatory spatial multi-criteria analysis for the assessment and prioritization of vulnerable ecosystems wherein, protection from anthropogenic activities could help to ensure the continued provision of ecosystem services in Mezam, Cameroon. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to build objective hierarchies and comparisons were made, using a scale of absolute judgments that represents how much more, one element dominates another with respect to a given attribute. Weightings were assigned to each criterion depending upon their relative importance and ratings in accordance with the relative magnitude of impact. From this, priority options for the different criteria and alternatives were calculated. Using this information and related spatial data in the decision support wizard of Idrisi GIS software, delineation of the different ecological systems was done. With an overall consistency ratio (  a Pricetag criteria (0.398) was the most important criterion in the site selection process, followed by Pressure (0.299), the Response (0.218), and the State criterion (0.085). As long as experts believe that their judgments regarding the importance of the criteria and their performances for the ecosystem types using each criterion are valid, the AHP priorities show that the watersheds are preferred. The resulting map can act as a tool in helping decision makers visualize choices and evaluate land-use alternatives. The results address the importance of local stakeholder participation when spatial planning and management of multifunctional cultural landscapes are realized.