Using Vegetation Greenness as a Criterion in Multi-criteria Analysis of Recreational Land Suitability in Protected Area: A Case Study of Krau Wildlife Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Vegetation greenness usually used to interpret condition of ecological processes which are vital for sustaining biodiversity and integrity of natural ecosystems. Hence, vegetation greenness seems feasible as a criterion in multi-criteria analysis of recreational land suitability for sustainable land use planning in protected area. But, how feasible it is? Based on land suitability, analyzed using a multi-criteria analysis, two scenarios of recreational land suitability were developed using Krau Wildlife Reserve in Peninsular Malaysia as a case study. Scenario 1, does not use vegetation greenness as one of the criteria, and Scenario 2, uses vegetation greenness as one of the criteria. In this study, the proportion of recreational land suitability classes, “less suitable,” “moderate suitable,” and “most suitable,” was measured under both scenarios. Then, the feasibility of vegetation greenness was evaluated by comparing the proportion of each suitability class in Scenario 2 with Scenario 1. Results revealed that in Scenario 1, the proportion of “most suitable” was the highest. In Scenario 2, the proportion of “most suitable” reduced but “moderate suitable” increased when compared with Scenario 1. This shows that vegetation greenness can limit the proportion of land used for recreation. Thus, vegetation greenness is feasible to be considered as a criterion for identifying recreational land suitability for sustainable land use planning in protected area.