Title: A multilayer network methodological framework for transportation and development of mountainous areas

Authors: Dimitrios Tsiotas; Apostolos Kantartzis; Georgios Kolkos; Panagiotis Lemonakis; Garyfallos Arabatzis

Addresses: Department of Regional and Economic Development, School of Applied Economics and Social Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Nea Poli, Amfissa, 33100, Greece ' Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, Pantazidou 193, Orestiada, 68200, Greece ' Department of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, Thessaloniki, 54006, Greece ' School of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ' Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, Pantazidou 193, Orestiada, 68200, Greece

Abstract: This paper builds on the network paradigm to develop a novel multilayer network model for transportation planning and development of mountainous areas. Each layer of the proposed model encloses information on an environmental aspect, where a network analysis can be applied to provide insights into the network topology and functionality. The analysis of the aggregate graph model reveals the contribution of each layer to the total network's structure and functionality, maps the spatial distribution of each layer to the network layout, and highlights the realism of the proposed model compared to the observed forest complex. Overall, this paper develops a quantitative methodological framework for incorporating environmental information in a single model and provides insights into the study of the 'Koupa' Forest Complex road network, which is a remarkable case in terms of vegetation, land use, and forest diversity.

Keywords: forest management; forest planning; forest policy; sustainability; multilayer graphs; Greece.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2024.141843

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, 2024 Vol.10 No.4, pp.378 - 404

Received: 31 May 2023
Accepted: 14 Jul 2023
Published online: 02 Oct 2024 *

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