Work

Evaluating Drought Mitigation Measures for Wetland Management with DEMATEL: A Case Study Report of the Koviljsko–Petrovaradinski Rit Wetland in Serbia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Wetlands are among the most valuable yet endangered ecosystems, particularly due to increasingly frequent and intense droughts. To mitigate drought risks, various human-made measures can be applied, with some being causally linked and differing in effectiveness. This study employs the DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) model to assess and visualize the causal relationships and importance of drought mitigation measures, as evaluated by a multidisciplinary group of experts, focusing on a wetland in Serbia’s Special Nature Reserve ‘Koviljsko–Petrovaradinski Rit’ (Danube floodplain). Twelve experts assessed seven measures: floodplain restoration, habitat improvement, invasive species control, policy changes, environmental education and awareness campaigns, streamlined decision-making and nature-based solutions. Results indicate that environmental education and awareness campaigns and streamlined decision-making are the most influential, while policy changes and nature-based solutions are key drivers of change, suggesting that these four should be prioritized in drought risk management strategies. This study advocates for the DEMATEL-based approach as a structured methodology for evaluating wetland risk management frameworks, emphasizing causality and stakeholder input.

Source: Water

DOI: 10.3390/w17121777