Land use optimization through bridging multiobjective optimization and multicriteria decision‐making models (case study: Tilabad Watershed, Golestan Province, Iran)

This study aims to present an efficient methodology for land use optimization based on minimization of runoff and sediment maximization economic benefits, occupational opportunities, suitability in the Tilabad watershed northeast Iran. The map area was prepared using Landsat satellite images field surveys. amounts were estimated via SWAT model. TOPSIS multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) approach applied results multiobjective (MOO) non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA II) choose final optimal solution among Pareto solutions front generated by MOO. indicated that agriculture rangelands should decrease, forests increase achieve defined objectives. Overall, integration MOO MCDM provides procedure a complex watershed. Recommendations Resource Managers allocation across requires combined application several models techniques sustainable process. By patterns according solution, surface load will decline, while profit improve. Despite objective function, land-based job opportunities might decrease allocation, but this can be considered as opportunity provision manpower other socioeconomic sectors.