Zoning of Suitable Areas for Soybean Cropping in Qaresoo Basin Using Geospatial Information Systems (GIS)

Optimal use of lands heavily relies on careful assessment of agro-ecological resources. The present study was aimed to zoning of suitable areas for of soybean cropping in Qaresoo basin of Golestan province by Geographical Information System (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). In this study، environmental components included: minimum، average، maximum temperatures، precipitation، slope، aspect، elevation and EC. At first، ecological requirements of soybean were identified from scientific resources and used to determine suitable areas cropping. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to determine the weight of criteria. Finally، the maps were integrated and overlaid in GIS media and afterward the zoning of soybean was done. The results indicated that about 28071 hectares (45%) of the agricultural areas and 17. 2% of the total area of the Qaresoo basin had a high fitness for soybean cultivation. Available water recourses، lower slopes and south aspects، suitable temperature and also the desirable Electrical Conductivity were the reasons make these regions suitable for this zone. About 5537 hectares (9%) of the agricultural areas and 3. 4% of the total area of the Qaresoo basin were evaluated less as suitable for cultivation of soybean due to high salinity level.