A Case Study of The Critical Role of Accurate Assessment and Objectivity in Species Prioritization for Conservation

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to prioritize species conservation using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and TOPSIS methods. Conservation planning involves a range of conditions, from biological factors to individual biases and the allocation of economic resources. This broad spectrum involves a selection process that needs to be done carefully to avoid wrong choices and reduced effectiveness of conservation measures. In the last two decades, scientists have been using more quantitative methods in decision-making situations. This is because quantitative data gives more objective results and removes bias from the decision-making process. In this study, scientific facts are added to the species prioritization process based on the results obtained using AHP and TOPSIS methods. AHP and TOPSIS are widely used methods in multi-criteria decision-making situations. The combination of these two methods reduces individual bias, as TOPSIS can correct for possible arbitrary comparisons in AHP. The IUCN Red List is a useful tool providing information on the threat status of species, related studies, distribution and population trends. However, IUCN alone is not sufficient to prioritize species. Therefore, the species prioritization process should include a wide range of criteria to assess all aspects of species status. These criteria can be collected from real studies to establish a reliable standard of assessment. In the study, seven of the 40 second and third level criteria were identified and 52 per cent of their weights were dropped. These criteria include population decline, niche breadth, species range, habitat loss and fragmentation, habitat specificity, genetic diversity and endemism. Based on the results of AHP and TOPSIS, it was determined that Acomys cilicicus should be prioritized for conservation among the nine candidate species. Although this species was not based on IUCN threat status information and showed a lack of data, a study showed that this species is facing population decline and limited distribution. Ex situ and in situ conservation programs are recommended to protect this species against habitat loss and to increase its population.