GIS based spatial modeling -- A DSS for sustainable use of land
resources in oil palm cultivation
Abstract
Spatial Modeling of land suitability helps in right deployment of a crop
to its suitable locations. The present study was aimed at developing a
GIS and MCDA (multi criteria decision analysis) integrated spatial model
to assess land suitability for oil palm cultivation under rainfed
conditions of India. The most critical parameters (factors) influencing
oil palm cultivation under rainfed conditions were identifiedand weights
were assigned through rank sum method. Spatial data for these parameters
has been collected at district level from standard sources. Thematic
rasters developed in GIS with defined sub-classes. Through MCDA, digital
suitability map developed and suitable areas (three classes) were
delineated, in ArcGIS 10.3.Accordingly, 10.478 million ha (Mha) area was
identified as suitable for rainfed cultivation of oil palm in the
country.Further, to facilitate expansion of oil palm cultivation to
sustainable locations alone, the identified suitable area was restricted
to existing eight land use land cover (LULC) classes only. After
restricting this suitable area to only selected LULC classes, 4.237 Mha
area was identified as suitable in total (0.95 Mha- highly suitable,
1.08 Mha- moderately suitable and 2.21 Mha- marginally suitable). Most
of the highly suitable areas were found in Kerala and Andaman & Nicobar
Islands. This information acts as a decision tool for policy makers in
planning oil palm expansion in the country and presently it is being
followed by Indian government to allocate oil palm crop to most suitable
areas for achieving sustainable production of the crop in the country.