title: Application of the Multi-Attribute Value Theory for engaging stakeholders in groundwater protection in the Vosvozis catchment in Greece.
abstract: Multi-Attribute Value Theory (MAVT) was used to investigate stakeholders' preferences and beliefs in ameliorating a deteriorating ecosystem, i.e. Vosvozis River and Ismarida Lake in Northeastern Greece. Various monetary and environmental criteria were evaluated with scores and weights by different stakeholder groups and key individuals such as farmers, fishermen, entrepreneurs, residents and ecologists to elicit their preferences concerning alternative protection scenarios. The ultimate objective was to propose policy recommendations for a sustainable water resources management for the case study area. The analysis revealed an overwhelming agreement among stakeholders regarding the dire need for immediate actions in order to preserve and enhance Vosvozis ecosystem. With a two stage evaluation process, the MAVT analysis led to a high consensus among the stakeholders on the alternative that favors water recycling from the wastewater treatment plant combined with small dams for rainwater harvesting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece. Electronic address: kyrstef@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kyriakos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stefanopoulos
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gemitzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Tsagarakis
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D058735:Environmental Policy; D006115:Greece; D060587:Groundwater / Q000737:chemistry*; D011050:Policy Making; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D062066:Water Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Groundwater management; MAVT; Multi-criteria; Public participation; Stakeholders