Application of the analytic network process in multi-criteria analysis of sustainable forest management

Over the previous decade, sustainable forest management (SFM) has become a highly relevant topic both in forest and environmental policy. Criteria and indicators (C&I) are primarily used in implementing the principles of SFM at national, regional, and at forest management unit levels. In turning SFM from a conceptual framework into applicable guidelines at the operational scale, several limitations have to be acknowledged: (i) partial lack of knowledge, (ii) deficits about dependencies and feedbacks among system components represented by C&I, and (iii) knowledge gaps regarding impacts and related uncertainties. Several methodologies have been proposed to implement C&I-based SFM. Multi-criteria analysis is often used to analyze and evaluate multiple C&I approaches. This study compares two different multi-criteria analysis approaches: the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with a hierarchical structure and the analytic network process (ANP) with a network structure. Comparisons are made for evaluating sustainable management strategies at forest management-unit level by using a C&I approach based on the Pan-European guidelines for SFM. AHP and ANP are used to compare four different strategic management options with a set of six criteria and 43 indicators. Differences in evaluation results between AHP and ANP are discussed, as well as strengths and weaknesses of both approaches for SFM. Needs and demands are derived for successful future applications in forestry decision-making.