Location Selection Model of Constructed Wetlands Based on AHP and GIS Spatial Analysis

Abstract Constructed wetlands are an effective solution for pollutant removal in rural areas, offering the advantages of low cost and ease of operation. It has significant potential for widespread implementation in rural China. However, there have been no spatial decision-making models in the literature that help identify the most suitable locations for constructed wetlands. Existing models typically consider single or limited impact factors. This paper proposed an evaluation model of topography and geology, climatic conditions, water resource distribution, and social environment in the siting of constructed wetlands in rural areas. AHP is used to determine the weights of the indicators, and spatial analysis tools in ArcGIS are used for calculation. An ArcGIS model tool is developed to assist in location selections. The Case study in Qingdao, China verified the feasibility of the proposed tools. The results show that 7.9 km 2 of land is identified as the most suitable for wetlands construction in rural areas of Qingdao City. The proposed novel planning tool is also helpful for planning in other places.