Salman 1993) as well as human factors. However, this relationship does not occur
in linear and equal proportions; thus, weighting of these components is necessary.
Weighting provides a realistic view of the influence of each factor on the restoration viability of a beach and its adjacent dunes.
This chapter shows how multi-criteria analysis (MCA) can be used effectively
to integrate ecological, geomorphological, and social criteria for the selection of
restorable beaches and dunes. MCA can be carried out using multiple methods;
however, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was adopted because it helps to
reduce subjectivity and to simplify complex problems, such as that posed by the
choice of beach and dune restoration. In addition, AHP allows the weighting of
each of the criteria considered and can be used in conjunction with other instruments, such as the panel of experts. The combination of the two instruments
allowed us to consider criteria of very different natures in order to increase the
reliability of our findings.
The interdisciplinary panel of experts was used because the evaluation of such
widely differing criteria went beyond the knowledge of one person. Furthermore,
consideration of only one opinion, or of the opinion of experts from one area of
knowledge, would have increased professional bias and taken the process further
from reaching a solution closer to reality. In this context, Bulleri (2006) warns that
disciplinary segregation has reduced our potential to understand the relationships
between human activities and changes in processes and the ecology of the coast.
The AHP has a strict scientific basis, such that it represents an objective way of
approaching decision making based on quantifiable components. In the best case
scenario, the decision taken can be the most satisfactory, while in the worst, the
least unsatisfactory (Hammond et al. 2001). That is to say, although the ‘‘correct’’
answer cannot be guaranteed, the use of AHP does ensure that the decision taken is
based on a subtle analysis that summarizes the relevant information and utilizes
the knowledge and experience of the experts who participated in the evaluations.
Acknowledgments We could not have written this chapter without the invaluable help of
Dr Fabiola López, Dr Rusty Feagin, Dr Giorgio Anfuso, Dr Octavio Pérez- Maqueo, Gilberto
Binnqüist MSc, Astrid Wojtarowski MSS, Dr José María Rey Benayas, Dr Jorge López Portillo,
Dr A.P. Grootjans, Dr Bas Arens, Dr Norbert Psuty, and Dr Patrick Hesp who were generous
enough to share with us their expertise and experience, as well as provide us with information and
enriching comments at different stages of this research. For this we are deeply grateful. We would
also like to express our gratitude to Keith MacMillan for translating the document. Finally, the
Instituto de Ecología, A.C (INECOL) and the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
(CONACyT) are acknowledged for funding this research, which is part of a wider project.
References
Anders F, Leatherman S (1987) Disturbance of beach sediment by off-road vehicles. Environ
Geol Water Sci 9:183–189
Anfuso G, Gracia F, Andres J, Sanchez F, Del Rio L, López- Aguago F (2000) Depth of
disturbance in mesotidal beaches during a single tidal cycle. J Coast Res 16(2):446–457
318
D. Lithgow et al.
in linear and equal proportions; thus, weighting of these components is necessary.
Weighting provides a realistic view of the influence of each factor on the restoration viability of a beach and its adjacent dunes.
This chapter shows how multi-criteria analysis (MCA) can be used effectively
to integrate ecological, geomorphological, and social criteria for the selection of
restorable beaches and dunes. MCA can be carried out using multiple methods;
however, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was adopted because it helps to
reduce subjectivity and to simplify complex problems, such as that posed by the
choice of beach and dune restoration. In addition, AHP allows the weighting of
each of the criteria considered and can be used in conjunction with other instruments, such as the panel of experts. The combination of the two instruments
allowed us to consider criteria of very different natures in order to increase the
reliability of our findings.
The interdisciplinary panel of experts was used because the evaluation of such
widely differing criteria went beyond the knowledge of one person. Furthermore,
consideration of only one opinion, or of the opinion of experts from one area of
knowledge, would have increased professional bias and taken the process further
from reaching a solution closer to reality. In this context, Bulleri (2006) warns that
disciplinary segregation has reduced our potential to understand the relationships
between human activities and changes in processes and the ecology of the coast.
The AHP has a strict scientific basis, such that it represents an objective way of
approaching decision making based on quantifiable components. In the best case
scenario, the decision taken can be the most satisfactory, while in the worst, the
least unsatisfactory (Hammond et al. 2001). That is to say, although the ‘‘correct’’
answer cannot be guaranteed, the use of AHP does ensure that the decision taken is
based on a subtle analysis that summarizes the relevant information and utilizes
the knowledge and experience of the experts who participated in the evaluations.
Acknowledgments We could not have written this chapter without the invaluable help of
Dr Fabiola López, Dr Rusty Feagin, Dr Giorgio Anfuso, Dr Octavio Pérez- Maqueo, Gilberto
Binnqüist MSc, Astrid Wojtarowski MSS, Dr José María Rey Benayas, Dr Jorge López Portillo,
Dr A.P. Grootjans, Dr Bas Arens, Dr Norbert Psuty, and Dr Patrick Hesp who were generous
enough to share with us their expertise and experience, as well as provide us with information and
enriching comments at different stages of this research. For this we are deeply grateful. We would
also like to express our gratitude to Keith MacMillan for translating the document. Finally, the
Instituto de Ecología, A.C (INECOL) and the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
(CONACyT) are acknowledged for funding this research, which is part of a wider project.
References
Anders F, Leatherman S (1987) Disturbance of beach sediment by off-road vehicles. Environ
Geol Water Sci 9:183–189
Anfuso G, Gracia F, Andres J, Sanchez F, Del Rio L, López- Aguago F (2000) Depth of
disturbance in mesotidal beaches during a single tidal cycle. J Coast Res 16(2):446–457
318
D. Lithgow et al.