Assessing the vulnerability of human and biological communities to changing ecosystem services using a GIS-based multi-criteria decision support tool

摘要: In this paper we describe an application of a GIS-based multi-criteria decision support web tool that models and evaluates relative changes in ecosystem services to policy land management decisions. The Santa Cruz Watershed Ecosystem Portfolio (SCWEPM) was designed provide credible forecasts responses drivers stressors illustrate the role use decisions on spatial temporal distributions within binational (U.S. Mexico) watershed. We present two SCWEPM sub-models when analyzed together address bidirectional relationships between social ecological vulnerability services. first model employs Modified Socio-Environmental Vulnerability Index (M-SEVI), which assesses community using information from U.S. Mexico censuses education, access resources, migratory status, housing situation, number dependents. second, relating cover change biodiversity (provisioning services), distribution terrestrial vertebrate habitat based multitemporal vegetation maps, wildlife relationships, use/land patterns. When assessed concurrently, exposed some unexpected vulnerable communities provisioning. For instance, most species-rich type watershed, Desert Riparian Forest, increased over time areas occupied by populations declined with less populations. This can be used identify conservation restoration targets enhance livelihoods people promote health.