Fuzzy and Boolean operation based modelling for evaluation of ecological capability in the hyrcanian forests

Abstract

Over the past four decades, management plan based on the Boolean Ecological Capability model has caused major problems in the management of the Hyrcanian Forests. The aim of this study is to evaluate ecological capability of five proposed sites including Golestan National Park, Afra Takhteh Yew Forest, Kojoor Forest, Cypress Woodland of Hassanabad-e Chalous, Lomer forest along the Hyrcanian region from east to west, using both Boolean and fuzzy logic and to compare these two models. A total of 10 important factors including slope, aspect, elevation, soil types, soil erosion, soil transformation, canopy cover, the value of species, distance to streams and climate were investigated in this study. The results show that elevation, slope and aspect have the most important role in the classification of the studied area. The results of model validation with field data indicate that the fuzzy gamma model shows the better assessment, accuracy and reliability compared to the Boolean model. Based on the obtained results we suggest the fuzzy-based operation model in sustainable protection planning in the Hyrcanian Forests.