Assessment of Ecological Vulnerability Using a Combined Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP-FUZZY) and Moran’s I Spatial Statistics in Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract:

With the expansion of urbanization, the spatial ecological interaction between humans and the natural environment has received increasing attention. Therefore, quantitatively assessing ecological vulnerability plays a crucial role in the protection and restoration of ecosystems in sensitive areas. In this study, the AHP–PSR (Analytic Hierarchy Process - Pressure - State - Response) model combined with fuzzy logic analysis was applied to evaluate the ecological vulnerability of Ho Chi Minh City in 2023. The PSR framework was used to select 13 indicators, AHP– Fuzzy was employed to determine the weight of each factor, and GIS was applied to spatially assess ecological vulnerability. The results show that areas with high ecological vulnerability, covering approximately 15,746.66 hectare, are concentrated in central districts with high construction density. In contrast, low vulnerability areas, with more than 33,000 hectares, are mainly distributed in greener suburban areas such as Can Gio and Cu Chi. The contrast in ecological vulnerability levels highlights the role of human activities in altering the natural environment. Notably, humans can improve already vulnerable ecosystems through positive and proactive environmental actions.