Quantitative land evaluation based on fuzzy-multi-criteria spatial model for sustainable land-use planning

Evaluating land according to its suitability and soil mapping is an important contribution for agricultural land use planning. Therefore FAO system was used to produce suitability sub classes for horticultural and field crops. Land capability map was produced at a scale of 1:10,000 using soil information according to USDA criteria. All attributed insight analysis were ranked according to them priority and performed with analysis criteria to provide the spatial extent of soil suitability and capability. Also a new dimension was added in the spatial model to determine capability index for soil suitability to different irrigation methods. The overall accuracy of used spatial model is 89% and the validation was carried out through field work. The significance of the created model for mapping is being at a detailed survey level. The landforms were mapped using SRTM combined with sentinel satellite image of the studied area. Accordingly landforms were represented by 33 soil profiles collected in 2015. Another 32 auger profile samples were dug to identify the boundaries among landform units. The capability units were produced in association with geomorphology units. The study shows that 662.4km(2) (33%), 715.9km(2) (35.6%), 85.8km(2) (4.3%), 25.4km(2) (1.3%), 490.6km(2) (24.4%) and 30.0km(2) (1.5%) of the area were categorized in II, III, IV, and V, VI (sand dunes and quarries (and VII (Rock outcrops) land classes respectively. The produced suitability subclasses demonstrates that the land use must be planned for according to identified land capability classes (LCC) to maximize agricultural productivity and sustain the land resources for future generations.