Using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process for spatio-temporal analysis of eco-environmental vulnerability change during 1990-2010 in Sanjiangyuan region, China

The results showed that: 1) EV in the whole Sanjiangyuan region was distributed as a high/low gradient that trends west to east in all three study periods; 2) the dynamic change of EV in Sanjiangyuan region as a whole showed a moderate reduction during 1990-2000, a sizeable and extensive decrease during 2000-2010; and, 3) during the 2000-2010 period, ecological environment change magnitude was significantly better within the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve than for the unprotected areas of the region. The proposed method is relatively easy to implement and could also be applied to other study regions. However, the method could be further improved by reducing some subjective elements.