Using AHP and PROMETHEE multi-criteria decision making methods to define suitable apiary locations

Abstract

Beekeeping activities have a rapidly increasing importance due to their derived products and their contributions to human health, biodiversity, agriculture, and pollination. Moreover, beekeeping can play a major role in supporting rural development and bringing the benefits of sustainable developments and productivity. Thus, the decision on correct apiary locations via suitability analysis techniques seems essential to sustain and increase the yield and efficiency. However, this decision-making process requires a large number of parameters including the topography of the field surrounding environment and climate conditions. At this point, Multi Criteria Decision Analysis techniques can provide efficient solutions for decision making on suitable apiary locations. In this study, suitable apiary site selection analysis for beekeeping activities via Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and The Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment of Evaluations (PROMETHEE) methods was proposed for Konya city located in Central Anatolia as a pilot application. Aspect, elevation, slope, flora, water resources, roads, railroads, settlements, electricity lines, buildings, precipitation, and natural disaster area criteria were assessed to generate beekeeping suitability for apiaries. The restrictions and requirements of beekeeping activities were specified considering expert beekeeper decisions and recent studies for the study area. The AHP and PROMETHEE suitability maps were validated with existing 461 apiary locations to be able to determine the reliability and applicability.