Multiple‐use planning of forest resources by using the analytic hierarchy process

In this paper, a decision analysis method called the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is applied to multiple‐use planning of forest resources. Principles of the method are presented and its properties are discussed with regard to multiple‐use planning. An illustrative example is given, in which the decision alternatives are produced using linear programming. Both quantitative and qualitative decision elements can be dealt with when the decision alternatives are evaluated using the AHP. The preferences of the decision‐maker are accommodated by pairwise comparisons between the decision elements. An additive priority model is estimated based on comparisons. Due to its simplicity, flexibility, and high effectiveness in analysing complex decision problems, the AHP is very applicable in multiple‐use planning.