Application of Multi-Criteria Methods in Natural Resource Management - A Focus on Forestry

Natural resource management refers to the management of natural resources such as land, water, soil, plants and animals which in accordance with the concept of sustainable development, a distinct emphasis puts on the way the management affects both present and future generations. In management and utilization of forests and forest land, as one of the most significant natural resources, the principle of the sustainable development is incorporated in a way that adheres to biological diversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and potential of the forests to fulfil, now and in the future, its important economical, ecological and social functions. Forest resources and benefits that derive from them represent an important part in fulfilling the needs of humanity for energy, raw materials and quality of life. These benefits cover a broad range of goods and services. Among other, they include: wood, recreation, water, soil preservation, clean air, game, scenic beauty, etc. Many of such benefits and services can be simultaneously gained from a single forest stand. And even though many countries have legislative regulations that prescribe the course of forest management and/or protection of certain forest functions, there are still many debates on the issue how to manage forests and to which purposes. In general, we could say that today the basic postulate of forest management is multifunctional or multiple use of forests. It represents the manner in which the most of many different functions of forests are being utilized. In that sense, forest management should enable the most prudent usage of forests and forest land to provide some or all of respective products and services, while ensuring productivity and stability of forest ecosystems at the same time. In realizing these goals careful planning and decision making play a major role, and are considered to be especially significant for effective natural resource management and achieving the principles of sustainable development. Planning and decision making in forest management represent a very complex task mainly because of the multitude and a broad spectre of criteria enrolled in the decision making process. That means that any decision making is under many different influences, and that at the same time every decision made affects many criteria of different nature. These influences and criteria encompass (Diaz-Balteiro & Romero 2008): a. economical issues – wood production, non-wood forest products (forest trees fruits and flowers, seeds, mushrooms, honey, resin, humus) livestock, game management, hunting; b. ecological and environmental issues – soil erosion, watershed regulation, biodiversity conservation, carbon sink, scenic beauty, influence on climate;