FORFUN: a computerized tool to create a ranking of relative importance for forest functions at stand scale

Abstract

FORFUN (FORest FUNctions) is a computerized tool designed to assign a score to the functions of the forest in a given forest compartment, ranking them in order of importance. To this end a multicriteria algorithm is employed using two criteria: site suitability and stand aptitude for the given functions. For each criterion and for each function a group of indicators represented as GIS layers was chosen. The two criteria can be attributed roughly the same weight as assessed by the planner. The result can be corrected with a coefficient expressing the relative importance assigned to each function by the stakeholders through questionnaires whose outcome are processed by a Saaty matrix.