Assessing and Mapping Forest Functions through a GIS-Based, Multi-Criteria Approach as a Participative Planning Tool: An Application Analysis

A relatively new planning tool in Italy is the Local Forest Plan, which stands at a broader level land scale compared to Management Plan but finer considering Regional or even National Plan. This intermediate was considered most appropriate for working out process based on multi-criteria assessment of forest functions. The proper functioning ecosystems can provide services conceived as benefits people obtain through ecological processes that sustain and satisfy essential needs human life. Four particular functions providing were identified: protective, productive, naturalistic touristic, respectively. set functional criteria, well attributes within recognized perform an “Analytic Hierarchy Process” (AHP). specific application this methodological approach selected case study. decision-making involved participation five experts preliminary phase, followed by thirty representative stakeholders who contributed subsequent selection actions be taken. Data related types management, physical morphological features forested terrain infrastructure such roads, touristic trails hiking pathways, together with natural protected areas wildlife preservation areas, explicitly located space using “geographical information service” (GIS) software. combined AHP GIS significant innovation presented study, implementation participative aimed management resources creation possible professional entrepreneurial activities benefit entire residential community.