Land evaluation using the FAO Framework: an example from Zambia

Abstract. The suitability of the University of Zambia farm for selected crops was assessed using the principles and concepts of the FAO Framework for Land Evaluation. Moisture and nutrient availability were found to be the most limiting land qualities, but moisture availability is a more important consideration because the farm is managed with high inputs. Heavy dependence on rainfall makes the farm very vulnerable to drought which has had a devastating impact on yields in recent years.
Soyabean, potato and wheat are the best-suited crops. Sunflower is not recommended because of the low market value. Maize is not a suitable crop because of its sensitivity to water stress and nutrient availability. Rhodes grass is recommended in mapping units where other crops have little economic value.
The FAO Framework for Land Evaluation can be used in Zambia. It can identify land utilization types that are physically and economically suitable. Based on these findings an appropriate land use plan of the University Farm has been developed and implemented.     

Economic land evaluation: why and how

Abstract. Economic land evaluation is a method for predicting the micro-economic value of implementing a given land-use system on a given land area. This is a more useful prediction of land performance than a purely physical evaluation, since many land-use decisions are made on the basis of economic value. Measures of economic suitability include the gross margin, net present value, internal rate of return, benefit:cost ratio, and utility functions based on these. The economic value of the in-situ resource quality of a land area may be inferred directly from land characteristics or from Land Qualities which, when less than optimum, result in decreased yields or increased costs. The economic value of geographic land characteristics may be determined by spatial analysis. Single or multi-criteria economic optimization and risk analysis can extend the economic land evaluation from a natural resource or management unit to a production or planning unit. Computerized tools may be used to assist in economic land evaluation.     

The Zambian Land Evaluation System (ZLES)

Abstract. A Land Evaluation System for rainfed agriculture has been developed in Zambia. It is intended for use in reconnaissance and semi-detailed land evaluation studies, and works with 74 subqualities, 40 crops and four input levels. The subqualities are rated and converted into constraint classes per input level. The most limiting constraints determine the final suitability class. Expected yields per suitability class and input level are then estimated. The system was calibrated by a field study at four locations. Comparisons were made between expected and actual yields and expected and actual constraints. The range of actual yields was wider than that expected, probably because of variation in management between farmers. The average actual and expected yields were strongly correlated, but chi-squared tests showed that they were significantly different. The system generally works well in assessing land suitability for crops commonly grown in Zambia.     

Validation of a FAO land evaluation method by comparison of observed and predicted yields of five food crops in Burundi

Abstract. A land evaluation using unsophisticated data successfully predicted yield ranges of various crops in Burundi. Yields of wheat, pea, bean, maize and potato predicted from data for climate, soil and land use technology were compared with observed yields from farm trials and from seed station and research station trials. The predicted range of yield for each crop suitability class enclosed the mean farm yields 13 times out of 16 and yields on seed stations and research stations 10 times out of 15 and 14 times out of 21 respectively. The variability of the observed yields exceeded the predicted range of yields. The method is considered as validated. The method appears to be applicable for multi-year studies at a broad scale, but yield variation according to the weather from year to year is not accounted for. The variances of the yields on farms are greater than the variances in seed station and research station trials.
Since the method predicts correctly the mean regional farm yields, it could be useful for land use planning, research into optimal regional cropping specialisation, studies on food policy, and for evaluation of economic return and sustainability of different crops.     

A land suitability assessment for tropical forage legumes

Land suitability assessments for forage legume production (genera Stylosanthes, Centrosema, and Desmodium) for 21 Hawaii soils were obtained by using a land suitability classification based on Soil Taxonomy. Land assessments based on four qualities, viz., nutrient availability, water availability, soil acidity and soil thermal regime, indicated that six of the soils were unsuitable for forage legume production without application of agricultural inputs (fertilizer, lime, and irrigation). Nutrient availability was the land quality that most frequently failed to meet the requirements of tropical forage legumes. Application of low levels of input reduced the number of unsuitable soils from six to three, whereas high inputs made all soils suitable for forage legume production. The land suitability assessments were consistent with published field results on forage legume performance in Hawaii. The results suggest that quick and reliable estimates of land use for forage legume production can be obtained wherever Soil Taxonomy is used in available surveys.     

Application of nested analysis of variance in mapping procedures for land evaluation

Abstract. Assuming that other sources of error can be neglected, the reliability of a land suitability classification depends on the homogeneity of physiographically delineated map units with regard to land qualities. The map unit homogeneity of a small area in France was estimated using 64 observation points, arranged according to a nested sampling scheme, followed by nested analysis of variance.
The analysis shows that in this area map units are too heterogeneous to accept the suitability classification as being completely reliable. However, alternative procedures using methods of optimal interpolation to map gradual change within the physiographic units are too expensive at a mapping scale of 1:25000 or smaller. It is not possible to produce completely accurate suitability maps at smaller scales. However, incorporating nested sampling and analysis of variance as standard procedures in land evaluation surveys costs little effort and yields at least an estimate of map accuracy and reliability of the suitability classification.     

Integration of biophysical and economic data using an expert system: results from a case study in northern Australia

Abstract. Biophysical and economic data from numerous sources are integrated using the ALES expert system. A systematic approach to data collection and evaluation procedure is presented. The collection of management data is emphasized if management and crop yield data are to be adequately correlated. Different land utilization types are evaluated for numerous land mapping units. The results show that direct comparison of land mapping units is possible both within and between different land utilization types. Use of the model enabled objective relationships to be developed between biophysical criteria, crop productivity and management, allowing economic measures of performance to be routinely determined for large databases. The study shows that land mapping units with the most favourable physical suitability class may not necessarily have the largest net return and that the best lands are determined not only by their ability to produce high yields but also their ability to achieve them at the least cost.     

Agro-climatic zoning and physical land evaluation in Jamaica

Abstract. Analysis of agro-climatic conditions forms the first stage of physical land evaluation. Monthly rainfall, potential evapotranspiration and air temperature data are analysed by the agro-climatic module of the Jamaica Physical Land Evaluation System (JAMPLES). Dependable rainfall (R75), the minimum amount exceeded in a given time period in 75% of the years, ranges from 537 to 5332 mm/yr at the 141 recording stations under review, and mean potential evapotranspiration (PET) ranges from 1120 to 1580 mm/yr. Annual R75/PET ratios range from 0.3–5.0 island-wide and regional differences permit delineation of four 'moisture availability' zones. These are subdivided with respect to the length of the 'dependable' growing periods (DGP) and dry periods. The DGP is less than 2 months in the southern coastal plains and 12 months long in the north-eastern part of the island. Mean daily air temperature decreases from 26 to 13°C with elevation, permitting the delineation of five temperature classes. Suitable regions for growing particular crops can be determined with the Jamaica Geographical Information System (JAMGIS), which includes a digitized version of the 1:250000 map of agro-climatic zones. More specific land suitability assessments, taking soil conditions and feasible land management practices into account, are prepared with the physical land evaluation module of JAMPLES.     

Development of a land suitability model for saffron (Crocus sativus L.) cultivation in Khost Province of Afghanistan using GIS and AHP techniques

In this study, we have attempted to develop a land suitability model for saffron, an agronomic crop, which is economically viable, environmentally bearable and socially equitable at Khost Province of Afghanistan. The objective was to determine different land suitability classes for saffron cultivation using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS). A decision tree was developed encompassing the physical, economic and social criteria. We used the secondary data (meteorological, remote sensing) from available sources and also substantial primary data generated from soil survey, interviews and experts’ opinion. A total of 30 physical and socio-economic factors were included in the analysis. The final land suitability result showed that out of the total land area of Khost Province, 1.5, 4.5, 8.6 and 85.4% areas were highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable and not suitable, respectively. This modelling approach can be applied to determine the suitability of land for other crops covering a wider geographical region of Afghanistan.     

基于三象限法的县域高标准基本农田建设布局与发展模式研究

[目的]探讨三象限法在高标准基本农田建设中的应用,为县域高标准基本农田建设布局与发展模式提供一定依据。[方法]以安徽省宿松县为例,采用三象限法对高标准基本农田的建设区域进行划分,从耕地质量适宜性及社会经济条件可行性2方面对其高标准基本农田建设进行评价。其中,耕地质量从立地条件、耕地理化性状及利用条件等方面选择评价指标,社会经济条件从耕地农业生产力、耕地建设利用状况及群众意愿等方面构建评价指标体系。[结果]高适宜高可行区域的耕地面积为3 046.67hm^2,占建设耕地总面积的14.89%,高适宜低可行区域的耕地面积为10 974.53hm^2,占建设耕地总面积的53.62%,低适宜高可行区域的耕地面积为6 445.73hm^2,占建设耕地总面积的31.49%。在对3个区域的耕地限制性因素及高标准基本农田分布情况进行分析的基础上,提出了高标准基本农田的空间布局和建设模式。[结论]运用三象限法,耕地质量与社会经济条件组合成3个区域。宿松县的高标准基本农田建设布局及发展模式与3个区域动态联系。     

农用地分等中土地经济系数计算方法的探讨——以江西省玉山县为例

土地经济系数是农用地分等中重要的修正参数.本文以玉山县为例,应用地统计学的原理与方法,对土地经济系数的计算方法进行了探讨.通过对样点数据的半方差函数模型的分析,结果表明土地经济系数具有很强的空间相关性.在结构分析基础上,本文采用空间插值Kriging法,计算出每个分等单元的土地经济系数.经过样点验证,结果表明利用空间插值Kriging法计算出的土地经济系数与实测值的平均RMSE为0.88%,这表明Kriging空间插值法计算的土地经济系数比较精确,为农用地分等规律中经济系数的确定提供了新思路.     

基于SOTER的中国耕地后备资源自然质量适宜性评价

耕地后备资源适宜性评价能够为保证粮食安全而进行的耕地后备资源合理开发利用提供科学依据。该文以1︰100万SOTER数据库为基础,将全国的耕地后备资源作为评价对象,选取了气候、地形和土壤3个方面的9个评价因子,采用模糊隶属度函数、层次分析法和专家打分的方法进行评价因子模糊化处理和权重的确定。利用极限条件和综合指数模型相结合的方法,进行全国耕地后备资源自然质量适宜性评价。评价结果表明：全国有56.6万km2耕地后备资源具有不同适宜程度的自然质量,其中,一等级的占15.9%,二等级的占19.5%,三等级的占25.8%,四等级的占19.1%,五等级的占19.7%;全国的耕地后备资源开发可以重点关注黑龙江、吉林、辽宁、陕西、河北、贵州、广西、山东和江西等省;最主要的限制因子具有区域分布特征,并随着适宜等级的降低,由土壤条件逐渐转变为气候和地形条件;模糊函数以及极限条件和综合指数模型相结合的评价方法能够有效提高评价结果的合理性。     

Application of the soil-ecological multiplicative index to assess suitability of Cis-Ural chernozems for cultivation with due account for economic parameters

The evolution of Russian concepts concerning the assessment of soil suitability for cultivation in relation to several campaigns on large-scale plowing of virgin steppe soils is examined. The major problems of agricultural land use in steppe areas—preservation of rainfed farming in the regions with increasing climatic risks, underestimation of the potential of arable lands in land cadaster assessments, and much lower factual yields in comparison with potential yields—are considered. It is suggested that the assessments of arable lands should be performed on the basis of the soil–ecological index (SEI) developed by I. Karmanov with further conversion of SEI values into nominal monetary values. Under conditions of land reforms and economic reforms, it is important to determine suitability of steppe chernozems for plowing and economic feasibility of their use for crop growing in dependence on macroeconomic parameters. This should support decisions on optimization of land use in the steppe zone on the basis of the principles suggested by V. Dokuchaev. The developed approach for assessing soil suitability for cultivation was tested in the subzone of herbaceous–fescue–feather grass steppes in the Cis-Ural part of Orenburg oblast and used for the assessment of soil suitability for cultivation in the southern and southeastern regions of Orenburg oblast.     

Integrating socio‐economic and biophysical assessments using a land use allocation model

This work is devoted to bridging the gap between large‐area, economically driven macromodels such as the Canadian Regional Agriculture Model (CRAM) and small‐area biophysically based process models used in environmental assessments through the development of a Land Use Allocation Model (LUAM). LUAM is designed to enable environmental assessments of economic scenarios to be conducted by allocating crop area changes predicted for large areas by CRAM to much smaller Soil Landscapes of Canada (SLC) polygons through an optimization method based on land capability, relative crop productivity and current land use. To develop the procedures, we used linear programming to optimize crop production for large areas under current commodity prices and land productivity ratings and then allocated the results to much smaller soil‐landscape polygons based on land capability. To assess the validity of our prototype LUAM, we compared the predicted crop areas with actual crop data from the Census of Agriculture using the method of cumulative residuals (MCR). We concluded that this version of the LUAM model can predict the location of land use to some extent, but requires further refinement. The potential for further development of LUAM using the Land Suitability Rating System (LSRS) is discussed.     

基于ANP-GIS的长春市城市建设用地生态适宜性评价

基于城市建设用地的生态适宜性对建设用地资源进行合理有效开发利用是缓解城市化进程与土地资源有限性矛盾的根本途径。因此,在前人研究的基础上,提出了结合网络分析法（Analytic Network Process,ANP）与GIS的城市建设用地生态适宜性耦合评价模型,并结合长春市的自然、社会和经济特点对长春市城市建设用地生态适宜性进行案例研究,最终获得了可视化的长春市城市建设用地生态适宜性空间分布图（5个适宜度）。结果表明:对于长春市建设用地的选取最适宜的土地面积约为1 289.3 km²,适宜区域6 662.7 km²,较适宜区域9 461.4 km²,一般适宜区域2 848.2 km²,不适宜区域303.4 km²,而且长春市建设用地生态适宜性较高的地区（最适宜区域和适宜区域）分布在长春区域的腹地,处于长春市市区以及九台区、德惠市、农安县的交汇的区域,该地区自然、社会和经济各项指标的生态适宜性度均相对较高,表明长春市未来的城市发展以及城市建设的重点可以向生态适宜度较高的中部地区偏移。研究结果说明了ANP-GIS耦合模型的可靠性,同时也为长春市的建筑用地的选取和长春市的城市规划提供决策依据。     

利用生态位适宜度模型评价土地利用环境脆弱性效应

土地利用对环境脆弱性具有重要影响,土地利用与生境条件匹配越好,土地利用的环境脆弱性效应值会越低。该文通过生态位适宜度模型将土地利用对环境脆弱性的影响定量化。选择典型生态环境脆弱区黄河三角洲垦利县的农用地,通过野外调查选择样地,构建各土地利用方式的生态位适宜度模型,在此基础上,对各土地利用生态单元的生态环境现实条件与现状土地利用方式所要求的最佳生态环境进行比较计算生态位适宜度,获得土地利用环境脆弱性效应分布图。研究结果表明,垦利县土地利用的环境脆弱性效应整体良好,棉田是决定整个垦利县环境脆弱性发展的土地利用方式;土地利用强度与土地利用环境脆弱性效应之间呈现为正相关趋势;灌溉条件和土壤盐分是决定土地利用环境脆弱效应值高低的主导环境因子。该研究结果对指导土地的合理利用与管理,防止土地退化和促进生态环境改善具有一定意义。     

Developing the prerequisites for sustainable land use in Albania

Abstract. When Albania emerged from its seclusion in 1991, the scientific community had its first opportunity to interact with its international counterparts. Soil resource assessment was made with systems developed in the early 1950s, laboratory facilities to provide supporting data were poor, and it was recognized that a new assessment was urgently needed. The country faces a major challenge in reforestation and soil conservation against a background of overgrazing by sheep and goats and clearing of trees and scrubs for fuelwood. Even orchard and olive trees were used as fuelwood during the winters of 1990 and 1991. Since then, gully and rill erosion has accelerated on many of the sloping lands. In addition to reforestation and conservation measures to reduce the pressures on the sloping land, it is necessary to enhance productivity on the fertile valley bottom soils where most of the agriculture is confined. In the recent past, grain yields have declined due to reduced fertilizer use (low purchasing capacity), and poor management practices. More recently productivity has slowly improved, but land degradation, particularly erosion, has visibly increased. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in collaboration with the Land Resources Institute of Albania, initiated work on a new national soil map through collation of existing information and field studies. The land unit for land use planning, evaluation, and general management decisions, is the Major Land Resource Area (MLRA). Each MLRA encompasses geographically associated soils, the majority of which have broadly similar patterns ofclimate, water resources, and land uses. The MLRAs presented here are based on the soil map of Albania at 1 : 200 000 scale. The MLRA information provides an overview of the landscape and natural resources. It can be used to assess land suitability for various crops, opportunities to achieve self sufficiency in food production, selection of areas for both field crops and highvalue crops for export, and identification of appropriate farming system technologies. Each MLRA will have a set of degradation processes which can be flagged, therefore each of them becomes a unit for decision making with respect to investments in research and mitigating technologies. The task is far from complete. Appropriate databases are needed to support the decisions that are being made at national level. To complement the MLRA and related database, decision support systems are needed for the important task of developing policy options.     

基于RS/GIS的生态脆弱区土地利用适宜性评价

 以加快水土保持步伐、提高土地生产力、改善生态环境为目的,以黄土高原水蚀风蚀生态脆弱区典型流域为例,以航片为基本信息源,通过实地调查,获得1990年和2002年土地利用数据。根据统计时期内土地利用变化,计算土地利用合理性指数,采用限制性影响因素法,评价研究区土地资源,并与2002年土地利用进行比较。结果表明:1990—2002年,基本农田、林草地类增加,坡旱地减少。1990年,土地利用合理性指数为0.55,2002年为0.67。2002年,农地类土地资源呈两级趋势,具备灌溉条件的水浇地为Ⅰ等适宜性,旱梯田与坡旱地为Ⅲ等适宜性。林地类土地资源有90.32%属Ⅱ等适宜性。牧草地类土地资源属于Ⅰ等适宜性和Ⅱ等适宜性。通过分析,Ⅲ等适宜性农地更适合草类生长。保持现有水浇地和旱梯田面积,将Ⅲ等适宜性农地退为草场,研究区农林牧用地结构将达到1.0∶2.5∶4.8。     

基于四象限法的县域高标准基本农田建设布局与模式

高标准基本农田建设是土地整治规划的重要组成部分,需要综合考虑耕地的基本条件和所在区域的社会经济建设适宜性。为了提高高标准基本农田建设布局的科学性及合理性,该文以广东省五华县为例,首先对耕地质量与高标准基本农田建设适宜性进行了评价,其中,耕地质量从立地条件、耕地物理性状、耕地化学性状及利用条件4个方面选择评价指标。高标准基本农田建设适宜性从农田基础条件、区域社会经济综合条件及群众意愿等方面选择评价指标,据评价结果分析了五华县耕地质量等级分布的不同及高标准基本农田建设适宜程度的差距及其原因。在此基础上,采用四象限法对高标准基本农田的建设区域进行了划分,其中,"高质量高适宜"区域的耕地面积为15 460.51 hm2,占到五华县耕地总面积的37.65%,"高质量低适宜"区域的耕地面积为8 771.85 hm2,占耕地总面积的21.36%,"低质量高适宜"区域的耕地面积为7 508.73 hm2,占耕地总面积的22.71%。在对3个区域的耕地限制性因素、基本农田分布情况进行分析的基础上,提出了基本农田的空间调整措施及高标准基本农田建设的建设模式及建设方向。研究结果可为县域土地整治规划和高标准基本农田建设提供科学依据。     

可变模糊集方法及其在土地适宜性评价中的应用

土地适宜性是多级别、多指标模糊评价问题，其模糊性在评价中应予以考虑。可变模糊集方法以可变模糊集理论为基础，通过模型参数的变化，提高评价结果的可靠性。该文在介绍该方法的基础上对长乐市农用土地适宜性等级进行了评价。结果表明该市农用土地适宜性等级介于中度适宜与高度适宜之间，略偏于中度适宜。可见该方法在土地适宜性评价中具有较好的适用性。