The Feasibility of Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approach for Prioritization of Sensitive Area at Risk of Water Erosion

Morphometric analysis is not only important for a hydrological analysis, but also necessary in the management and development of a basin. In this study, we attempted to prioritize twenty sub-watersheds of Bamhani watershed considering the linear, aerial and relief aspects of the watershed that will be further used in the multi-criterion decision making (MCDM) analysis. ELECTRE, Vlsekriterijumskaoptimizacija I kompromisno resenje (VIKOR), and aggregate method. Remote sensing and GIS approach were employed in the morphometric analysis. Percentage of changes and intensity of change indices were used in the MCDM model validation. Based on the range of Borda/Copland model values, the sub-watershed 11 took place at the first rank, while the Compound Factor (CF) model placed in the second rank, implying to be the most susceptible sub-watersheds for erosion. Vulnerability of sub-watersheds to soil loss (erosion), the VIKOR models showed four vulnerability classifications as very high, high, moderate and low. In conclusion, our results of the morphometric studies appeared to be effective in estimating the erosion status and prioritization of the watershed concerned for the purpose of easy and early development and management of natural resources. A high reductive accuracy was observed by VIKOR in comparison to CF and ELECTRE models. � 2020, Springer Nature B.V.