Land Suitability Analysis on Rainfed Wheat Cropping Using Geospatial Information Systems (A Case Study: Qaresoo Basin)

Optimal use of lands heavily relies on careful assessment of agro-ecological resources. Evaluation of potential lands for various cultivated crops is the first strategic priority to increase production and optimized use of resources. This present study was aimed to identify effective climatologic، topographic and soil-related factors on rainfed wheat cropping in Qaresoo basin of Golestan province and determination of suitable areas to produce this crops usings Geographical Information System (GIS) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). At first، ecological requirements of rainfed wheat was identified from scientific literatures and then were classified to provide thematic maps. In this study، minimum، average and maximum temperatures، precipitation، slope، aspect، elevation and EC were considered. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to find weight of each factor. Finally، the maps were provided and overlaid in GIS media and afterward the zoning of areas for rainfed wheat cultivation was done. Results showed that wheat grown lands would be located in four suitability classes. About 5170 hectares (6%) of the agricultural areas and 3% of the total area of the Qaresoo basin were located in high suitable class for rainfed wheat cultivation. Suitable precipitation، lower slope and projecting to south slopes and also the desirable electrical conductivity were the reasons make these regions suitable. Also، results showed that about 909 hectares (1. 5%) of Qaresoo basin lands that now are cultivating by rainfed wheat، have not required potency to produce this crop.