Martins et al. (2026) Multicriteria Approach to Define Adequate areas for the Implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation Strategies

Identification

• Journal: European Journal of Sustainable Development
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-02-01
• Authors: Tiago N. Martins, M. M. Oliveira, T. E. Leitão
• DOI: 10.14207/ejsd.2026.v15n1p23

Research Groups

• National Laboratory for Civil Engineering, Lisboa, Portugal

Short Summary

This paper develops a multicriteria approach using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify optimal locations for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) strategies, specifically in-channel Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) sand dam reservoirs, to increase groundwater resources, mitigate water scarcity, and prevent wildfires in the Alva River basin, Central Portugal. The study successfully mapped suitable areas, highlighting the potential for integrating treated wastewater as an alternative water resource.

Objective

• To define adequate areas for the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) strategies, specifically in-channel Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) methods, to increase groundwater resources, create conditions for sediment and water retention and storage, mitigate water scarcity, and help prevent wildfires.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Alva River basin, Central Portugal (707.6 square kilometers watershed). The analysis focused on 1st order water courses with a 100 meter buffer (50 meters from each stream bank) for suitability assessment, and a 500 meter buffer for Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant (UWWTP) proximity.
• Temporal Scale: The study addresses future climate change impacts, referencing projections until the year 2070 (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios) for temperature increase and precipitation decrease. The assessment itself is a static spatial analysis based on current geographical and land use data.

Methodology and Data

• Models used:
  • Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)
  • Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for weighting criteria
  • Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) for sediment generation potential (A = 2.24 * R * K * (LS) * C * P)
• Data sources:
  • Digital Terrain Model (NASA JPL, 2013) with approximately 30 meter resolution for Slope and LS factor.
  • Geology Map of Portugal (SGP, 1992) at 1:500 000 scale for Geology criterion.
  • CORINE Land Cover 2018 map (EEA, 2020) for Land Use and C factor.
  • Rainfall erosivity factor (R) from the Water Atlas (APA, 2010) for Portuguese continental territory.
  • Soil chart at 1:100 000 scale (DGADR, 2021; Geometral and Agroconsultores, 2004a, b) for Soil erodibility factor (K).
  • Strahler stream order classification (SNIAmb, 2006) for identifying 1st order water courses.

Main Results

• The multicriteria analysis, using AHP, identified the relative importance of criteria for site suitability: Sediment generation potential (49%), Geology (23%), Slope (21%), and Land Use (7%).
• Approximately 2.96% of the total stream buffer area (76.03 square kilometers) within the Alva River basin was identified as suitable for sand dam reservoir implementation (final suitability score equal to or greater than 0.6).
• Only 4 Urban Wastewater Treatment Plants (UWWTPs) were located within the 100 meter buffer of suitable areas, representing 1.2% of the classified suitable stream buffer areas. Expanding the search to a 500 meter buffer included 15 UWWTPs.
• The study provides a preliminary assessment of suitable areas for EbA solutions, including the potential use of treated urban wastewater as an alternative water resource, while ensuring river continuity by focusing on 1st order watercourses.

Contributions

• Developed and applied a novel multicriteria decision analysis framework, incorporating the Analytic Hierarchy Process, to identify optimal locations for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) strategies focused on Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) through sand dam reservoirs.
• Integrated the assessment of treated urban wastewater as an alternative water resource within the EbA/MAR site selection process, addressing a critical aspect of water scarcity management.
• Provided a practical, spatially explicit methodology for enhancing drought resilience, preventing wildfires, and mitigating flooding in a climate change vulnerable region (Alva River basin, Central Portugal).
• Highlighted the importance of expert consensus and clear objective definition in AHP implementation, and identified regulatory barriers for treated wastewater reuse in Portugal.

Funding

• Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) Research and Innovation Actions under grant agreement No 101074004 (C2IMPRESS: Co-creative Improved Understanding and Awareness of Multi-Hazard Risk for Disaster Resilient Society).

Citation

@article{Martins2026Multicriteria,
  author = {Martins, Tiago N. and Oliveira, M. M. and Leitão, T. E.},
  title = {Multicriteria Approach to Define Adequate areas for the Implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation Strategies},
  journal = {European Journal of Sustainable Development},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.14207/ejsd.2026.v15n1p23},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.14207/ejsd.2026.v15n1p23}
}