Methodology to develop land capability maps using geo-information systems (GIS)

The purpose of this research was to determine the methodology of land capability evaluation with regard to an array of objective limiting factors when growing, for example, perennial crops. The methodology of relief parameterization was used in the method for calculating geomorphological parameters, and pedometric mapping methods were used to calculate pedological variables. Inventory of the actual condition of land cover was made based on sketches and maps that were gathered during field research. These sketches were then geo-referenced and overlapped with LANDSAT satellite images to determine the actual situation. The best locations for a particular type of perennial plantation were selected by using logic and spatial queries. Best locations, in this example for vineyards, were identified as an area overlap, areas with, according to the spatial plan, either valuable, especially valuable or other arable soils, southern relief exposition with the total annual incident light >1, 208 KWh/m2, and the location where the relief slope is between 2 and 12% or where elevation exceeds 110 m and soil acidity does not exceed 5.6 pH. The query resulted in a simple map. The map shows areas which are either suitable for viticulture “1” or not suitable for viticulture “0”. Analysis of the results obtained from the example revealed the methodology for development of thematic maps in geo-information systems (GIS) environment, a total of 17, 782 ha in the Osijek-Baranja County, Republic of Croatia, area is suitable for viticulture.   Key words: Geo-information systems (GIS), thematic maps, resource management, spatial plan, land capability mapping, viticulture, European union (EU) pre-accession funds, Croatia.