A delphi technique-based selection of impact criteria for determining suitable locations for forest road construction in protected areas

Abstract

Forest road construction in protected areas is one of the most pronounced anthropogenic activities. In order to reduce the negative impacts of forest roads on the environment, the planning of a multi-functional network of forest roads must be approached in a planned way, taking into account a number of aspects. The paper selects seven most influential criteria for determining suitable locations for forest road construction in a protected area using the Delphi method. A part of Fruska Gora National Park in Serbia was chosen as the research area. The invitation was sent to 36 experts, and 32 participants accepted the invitation. The group of experts found that the most influential criteria are: fire risk, transportation distance, connection with populated areas, wood volume, felling volume, presence of water springs and terrain slope. The average number of points ranged from 70.35 for the criterion "terrain slope" to 85.35 for the criterion "fire risk". The largest number of criteria selected in the Delphi procedure belong to the group of economic criteria, although the forests are located in protected areas.