Utilizing Multi-Criteria Analysis and Analytical Hierarchy Process to Facilitate Everglades Restoration Decision-Making

Authors

Chloe C. Vorseth, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Environmental Studies

First Advisor's Name

Mahadev Bhat

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Elizabeth Anderson

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Leonard Scinto

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Andrew Stainback

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Multi-Criteria Analysis, Analytical Hierarchy Process, Everglades, Decision-Making

Date of Defense

11-15-2019

Abstract

Greater Everglades Ecosystem (GEE) restoration is a complex undertaking, with a variety of potential outcomes and trade-offs impacting numerous stakeholders. This study utilizes a strategy for facilitating GEE restoration that is based in social science principles and informed by stakeholder opinion, ecologists, and biological modeling techniques. Information in this study was gathered through the use of an online survey involving stakeholder preferences for GEE restoration outcomes. Results revealed that sample stakeholders weighed the outcome of improving seasonal flow of water highest, followed by reducing polluted discharges from Lake Okeechobee, then increasing water storage for human use, and lastly restoring the GEE to improve resiliency to hurricane storm surge. Additionally, the survey collected information on stakeholders’ environmental attitudes. Results revealed that most stakeholders surveyed across many interests identified as “ecocentric” rather than “anthropocentric.” These results have the potential to inform GEE restoration decision-making by providing a strategy to effectively combine the separate interests of each ideologically divergent stakeholder group with projected physical impacts of restoration alternatives.

Identifier

FIDC008850

Recommended Citation

Vorseth, Chloe C., "Utilizing Multi-Criteria Analysis and Analytical Hierarchy Process to Facilitate Everglades Restoration Decision-Making" (2019). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4313.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/4313