Overview of the Analytic Hierachy Process (AHP) as a Method to Improve Decision-Making within the U.S. Forest Service Planning Model

Abstract

The widespread application of multi-criteria decision-making methods to environmental and natural resource management indicates that their use is well aligned to advance the multiple objective and participatory nature of the forest planning process. Specifically, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a systematic multi-criteria decision-making approach which uses a hierarchically structure to deconstruct a decision into an overall goal, criteria, and alternatives. AHP has the ability to integrate individual preferences with factual information to arrive at the “best” solution for the current decision situation. Because of AHP’s flexible structure and strong communication and educational components, AHP has the potential to enhance natural resource management decisions in the planning process. By means of a literature search, this paper explores the feasibility in terms of benefits and limitations of AHP, as well as opportunities for the application of AHP as a decision-making support tool within Forest Service project-level planning. However, due to the varied nature of project-level planning projects, specific opportunities and guidelines for incorporating AHP into the Forest Service planning process could not be clearly defined.