Multi-criteria approach with linear combination technique and analytical hierarchy process in land evaluation studies

Abstract

Land evaluation analysis is a prerequisite to achieving optimum utilization of theavailable land resources. Lack of knowledge on best combination of factors that suitproduction of yields has contributed to the low production. The aim of this study was todetermine the most suitable areas for agricultural uses. For that reasons, in order todetermine land suitability classes of the study area, multi-criteria approach was usedwith linear combination technique and analytical hierarchy process by taking intoconsideration of some land and soil physico-chemical characteristic such as slope,texture, depth, derange, stoniness, erosion, pH, EC, CaCO3 and organic matter. These dataand land mapping unites were taken from digital detailed soil map scaled as 1:5.000. Inaddition, in order to was produce land suitability map GIS was program used for thestudy area. This study was carried out at Mahmudiye, Karaamca, Yazılı, Çiçeközü,Orhaniye and Akbıyık villages in Yenişehir district of Bursa province. Total study area is7059 ha. 6890 ha of total study area has been used as irrigated agriculture, dry farmingagriculture, pasture while, 169 ha has been used for non-agricultural activities such assettlement, road water body etc. Average annual temperature and precipitation of thestudy area are 16.1oC and 1039.5 mm, respectively. Finally after determination of landsuitability distribution classes for the study area, it was found that 15.0% of the studyarea has highly (S1) and moderately (S2) while, 85% of the study area has marginallysuitable and unsuitable coded as S3 and N. It was also determined some relation ascompared results of linear combination technique with other hierarchy approaches suchas Land Use Capability Classification and Suitability Class for Agricultural Use methods.