Scholarly record
THE EFFECT OF TRAIL PATHS IN GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEMS USING A SWOT-AHP HYBRID METHOD
Abstract
In recent years, the use of trail paths for recreation and tourism has seen remarkable growth in many countries. Trail paths have several benefits for the local community, people's physical and mental health, and for offsetting degraded grassland ecosystems. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of trail paths on grassland ecosystems in the Prefecture of Xanthi in northern Greece. The SWOT-AHP hybrid method was used. The criteria of the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) method were recorded based on the literature review. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method, and the criteria were compared pairwise. The study found that the Strengths group occupied the largest percentage (40.3%), immediately after the Weaknesses group occupied 26.7%, followed by the Opportunities group at 21.0% and the Threats group which had the smallest percentage (12.0%). The results also showed that in the comparisons of the Strengths group, the largest percentage (43.4%) held the (Increase biodiversity along trail paths) criterion. In the comparisons of the Weaknesses group, it was observed that the (The construction and use of trail paths cause soil erosion and compaction) criterion gathered a large percentage of 39.6%. In the comparisons of the Opportunities group, the largest percentage (41.1%) held the (Trail paths can be used as a passage for rescuers) criterion and (Visiting the trail paths can increase the risk of fire) criterion from the comparisons of the Threats group was the biggest threat with a percentage that exceeds 50.0%.
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