Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

GIS and AHP multi-criteria analysis method for assessing the suitability of soils adopted in agricultural activities in irrigated perimeter, Tadla plain (Morocco)

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Sedimentary Environments Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The physicochemical and biological characteristics of the soil determine its quality which is an essential parameter for the fertility and production of agricultural soils. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability of Beni–Moussa soils for agricultural production. The study area comprising 69,500 ha of cultivated soil, 15 soil characteristics, namely Organic Matter (OM), Organic Carbon (OC), Nitrogen (N), Total Phosphorus (P), Exchangeable Potassium (K), Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), Humidity, pH, Carbonates Content (CaCO3), Texture (silt + clay), Soil type, Salinity, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Depth, and Slope, were studied as an indicator for assessment and were studied in 67 soil samples collected in the surface layer from the perimeter at Feb 2017. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was employed to determine the weight of every indicator from the pairwise comparison matrix, and then the information systems (GIS) was used to generate a suitability map by using the weight and sub-indicator weights. The obtained result showed that 5.95% (4667.84 ha) of Beni–Moussa area was categorized into the category “Excellent Quality”, 16.05% (12,601.19 ha) into “Good Quality”, 66.35% (52,098.99 ha) into “Medium Quality”, and 11.65% (9148.89 ha) into “Poor Quality” for sustainable intensive agriculture. These results may be used for the best management of agricultural land, to establish a water and nutrient management model, and it may be used as the basis for other agricultural and economic assessment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig.1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aderonke, D. O., & Gbadegesin, G. A. (2013). Spatial variability in soil properties of a continuously cultivated land. African Journal of Agricultural Research. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR12.1847.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akinci, H., Ozalp, A. Y., & Turgut, B. (2013). Agricultural land use suitability analysis using GIS and AHP technique. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 97, 71–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2013.07.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali, R. R., Ageeb, G. W., & Wahab, M. A. (2007). Assessment of soil capability for agricultural use in some areas west of the Nile Delta. Egypt: an application study using spatial analyses. Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 3(11), 1622–1629.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amini, S., Rohani, A., Aghkhani, M. H., Abbaspour-Fard, M. H., & Asgharipour, M. R. (2019). Assessment of land suitability and agricultural production sustainability using a combined approach (Fuzzy-AHP-GIS): A case study of Mazandaran province Iran. Information Processing in Agriculture, 7(3), 384–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpa.2019.10.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, S. S., & Carroll, C. R. (2001). Designing a soil quality assessment tool for sustainable agroecosystem management. Ecological Applications. https://doi.org/10.1890/10510761(2001)011[1573:DASQAT]2.0.CO;2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asgharipour, M. R., Shahgholi, H., Campbell, D. E., Khamari, I., & Ghadiri, A. (2019). Comparison of the sustainability of bean production systems based on emergy and economic analyses. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-7123-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aspinall, R., & Pearson, D. (2000). Integrated geographical assessment of environmental condition in water catchments: linking landscape ecology. Environmental Modelling and GIS. Journal of Environmental Management, 59(4), 299–319. https://doi.org/10.1006/jema.2000.0372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atalay, I. (2006). The effects of mountainous areas on biodiversity: A case study from the northern Anatolian Mountains and the Taurus Mountains. Grazer Schriften der Geographie und Raumforschung, 41, 17–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandyopadhyay, S., Jaiswal, R. K., Hegde, V. S., & Jayaraman, V. (2009). Assessment of land suitability potentials for agriculture using a remote sensing and GIS based approach. International Journal of Remote Sensing. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431160802395235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barakat, A., El Baghdadi, M., Rais, J., Aghezzaf, B., & Slassi, M. (2016). Assessment of spatial and seasonal water quality variation of Oum Er Rbia River (Morocco) using multivariate statistical techniques. International Soil and Water Conservation Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2016.11.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barakat, A., Ennaji, W., El Jazouli, A., Amediaz, R., & Touhami, F. (2017). Multivariate analysis and GIS-based soil suitability diagnosis for sustainable intensive agriculture in Beni–Moussa irrigated subperimeter (Tadla plain. Moroccoc: Modeling Earth Systems and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-017-0272-5.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, T. D., Goodwin, A. L., Dove, M. T., Keen, D. A., Tucker, M. G., Barney, E. R., et al. (2010). Structure and properties of an amorphous metal-organic framework Cheetham. Physical Review Letters, 104(11), 115503.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhagat, V. S. (2013). Use of remote sensing techniques for robust detection and estimations of soil organic carbon: a review. Recent Patents on Nanotechnology, 3(2), 83–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouchaou, L., Michelot, J. L., Qurtobi, M., Zine, N., Gaye, C. B., Aggarwal, P. K., et al. (2009). Origin and residence time of groundwater in the Tadla basin (Morocco) using multiple isotopic and geochemical tools. Journal of Hydrology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.10.019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourguignon, C. (2006). La destruction des sols par l’agriculture intensive. http://www.les-renseignements-genereux.org/var/fichiers/textes/bourguignon.pdf. Accessed 06 Jun 2020

  • Cay T and Uyan M (2013) Evaluation of reallocation criteria in land consolidation studies using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Land Use Policy, http:// doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.04.023

  • Cengiz, T., & Akbulak, C. (2009). Application of analytical hierarchy process and geographic information systems in land-use suitability evaluation: a case study of Dumrek village. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504500903106634.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty, S., & Banik, D. (2006). Design of a material handling equipment selection model using analytic hierarchy process. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-004-2467-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapin, F., & Shaver, G. (1985). Individualistic growth response of tundra plant species to environmental manipulations in the field. Ecology. https://doi.org/10.2307/1940405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Day PR (1965) Particle fractionation and particle-size analysis. In: C. A. Black et al (ed.) Methods of soil analysis. Part 1. Agronomy, https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.1.c43

  • Dinesh TG (2017) Study of physico-chemical parameters for soil quality of agricultural field used in villages of nanded-Waghala municipal corporation, district: Nanded (Maharashtra), India. National Conference on Green Approach towards Environment and Chemical Science

  • El Hamzaoui, E. H., El Baghdadi, M., Oumenskou, H., Aadraoui, M., & Hilali, A. (2020). Spatial repartition and contamination assessment of heavy metal in agricultural soils of Beni–Moussa. (Morocco): Modeling Earth Systems and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-020-00756-3.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Elsheikh, R., Rashid, A., Shariff, M., Amiri, F., Ahmad, N. B., Balasundram, S. K., & Soom, M. A. M. (2013). Agriculture land suitability evaluator (ALSE): A decision and planning support tool for tropical and subtropical crops. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2013.02.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ennaji, W., Barakat, A., El Baghdadi, M., Oumenskou, H., Aadraoui, M., Karroum, L. A., & Hilali, A. (2018). GIS-based multi-criteria land suitability analysis for sustainable agriculture in the northeast area of Tadla plain (Morocco). Journal of Earth System Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-018-0980-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ennaji, W., Barakat, A., El Baghdadi, M., & Rais, J. (2020). Heavy metal contamination in agricultural soil and ecological risk assessment in the northeast area of Tadla plain, Morocco. Journal of Sedimentary Environments, 5, 307–320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-020-00020-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gagnon M (2009) Le diagnostic de l’état des sols. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi1kNyKqKPQAhUF4iYKHewGDqcQFggcMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.agrireseau.net%2Flegumeschamp%2Fdocuments%2FGagnon%2520texte%2520diagnostic%2520%25C3%25A9tat%2520des%2520sols.pdf&usg=AFQjCNGWH3Uo4aqwkX0WAGmkYNrEsApt8w. Accessed 14 Jan 2020

  • Khormi, H. M., & Kumar, L. (2013). Using geographic information system and remote sensing to study common mosquito-borne diseases in Saudi Arabia: A review. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, 11(2), 14–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiker, G. A., Bridges, T. S., Varghese, A., Seager, T. P., & Linkov, I. (2005). Application of multicriteria decision analysis in environmental decision making. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. https://doi.org/10.1897/IEAM_2004a-015.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., Zeng, G., Zhang, H., Yang, B., & Jiao, S. (2007). The integrated eco-environment assessment of the red soil hilly region based on GIS—a case study in Changsha City. China: Ecological Modelling. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2006.11.014.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Li, X., Li, J., Sui, H., He, L., Cao, X., & Li, Y. (2018). Evaluation and determination of soil remediation schemes using a modified AHP model and its application in a contaminated coking plant. Journal of Hazardous Materials. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.04.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, J., Wu, L., Chen, D., Yu, Z., & Wei, C. (2018). a) Development of a soil quality index for Camellia oleifera forestland yield under three different parent materials in Southern China. Soil and Tillage Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2017.09.013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansour D (2015) Combinaison des Systèmes d’Information Géographiques et des méthodes d’analyses multicritères (fuzzy AHP) dans la présélection des sites de stockage des déchets : cas des villes de Taoujdate et d’Agourai et de la province d’El Hajeb (Maroc), Thèse de doctorat, université Moulay Ismail, Meknès

  • McKinney, D. C., & Cai, X. M. (2002). Linking GIS and water resources management models: An object-oriented method. Environmental Modelling and Software. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-8152(02)00015-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLean, E. O., & Mulvaney, C. S. (1982) Soil pH and lime require. Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2. Chemical and Microbiological Properties, (Methodsofsoilan2).

  • Mustafa, A. A., Singh, M., Sahoo, R. N., Ahmed, N., Khanna, M., & Sarangi, A. (2011). Land suitability analysis for different crops: a multi-criteria decision making approach using remote sensing and GIS. Researcher, 3(12), 61–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyeko, M. (2012). GIS and multi-criteria decision analysis for land use resource planning. International Journal of Geographical Information Science. https://doi.org/10.4236/jgis.2012.44039.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Obade, V. D. P., & Lal, R. (2014). Using meta-analyses to assess pedo-variability under different land uses and soil management in central Ohio. USA: Geoderma. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2014.04.030.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Omowumi, O. A., Aderonke, D. O., Anike, O. A., & Moronke, O. O. (2014). Spatial assessment of soil quality indicators under different agricultural land uses. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 7(8), 41–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oumenskou, H., El Baghdadi, M., Barakat, A., Aquit, M., Ennaji, W., Karroum, A., & Aadraoui, M. (2018). Multivariate statistical analysis for spatial evaluation of physicochemical properties of agricultural soils from Beni-Amir irrigated perimeter. Morocco: Landscape Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2018.1504272.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ouyang, Z. Y., Wang, R. S., & Guinan, F. (1996). Ecological niche suitability model and its application in land suitability assessment. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 16(2), 113–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozturk, D., & Batuk, F. (2010). Konumsal karar problemlerinde analitik hiyerars_i yonteminin kullanılması. Yıldız Teknik Universitesi Sigma Muhendislik ve Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, 28, 124–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panhalkar, S. (2011). Land capability classification for integrated watershed development by applying remote sensing and GIS techniques. Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, 6(4), 46–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pramanik, M. K. (2016). Site suitability analysis for agricultural land use of Darjeeling district using AHP and GIS techniques. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-016-0116-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi, Y., Darilek, J. L., Huang, B., Zhao, Y., Sun, W., & Gu, Z. (2009). Evaluating soil quality indices in an agricultural region of Jiangsu Province China. Geoderma, 149(3–4), 325–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2008.12.015.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rabia, A. H., Figueredo, H., Huong, T. L., Lopez, B. A. A., Solomon, H. W., & Alessandro, V. (2013). Land suitability analysis for policy making assistance: a GIS based land suitability comparison between surface and drip irrigation systems. International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.7763/IJESD.2013.V4.292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rakotoarivelo J (2015) Analyse comparative de méthodes multicritères d’aide à la décision pour le secteur financier. Thèse de doctorat, université Paul Sabatier de Toulouse.

  • Rao, N. H., & Rogers, P. P. (2006). Assessment of agricultural sustainability. Current Science, 91(4–25), 439–448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhoades JD (1982) Cation exchange capacity. In:Page AL, Miller R H, Keeney DR (Eds) Methods of soil analysis Part 2. Am. Soc. Agron. Madison. WI. Agron. Monogr 9, 149–157.

  • Saaty, T. L. (1980). The analytic hierarchy process: Planning priority setting. Resource allocation (p. 287). USA: McGraw-Hill International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleh, A. M., Belal, A. B., & Mohamed, E. S. (2015). Land resources assessment of El-Galaba basin. South Egypt for the potentiality of agriculture expansion using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Science, 18(1), S19–S30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrs.2015.06.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiefer, J., Lair, G. J., & Blum, W. E. (2015). Indicators for the definition of land quality as a basis for the sustainable intensification of agricultural production. International Soil and Water Conservation Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2015.03.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwilch, G., Bestelmeyer, B., Bunning, S., Critchley, W., Herrick, J., Kellner, K., et al. (2011). Experiences in monitoring and assessment of sustainable land management. Land Degradation and Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.1040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seyedmohammadi, J., Sarmadia, F., Jafarzadeh, A. A., & McDowell, R. W. (2019). Development of a model using matter element, AHP and GIS techniques to assess the suitability of land for agriculture. Geoderma, 325, 80–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.05.046.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Subbiah, B. V., & Asija, G. L. (1956). A rapid procedure for the determination of the available nitrogen in the soil. Current Science, 25, 259–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • TableLan, H. X., Zhou, C. H., Wang, L. J., Zhang, H. Y., & Li, R. H. (2004). Landslide hazard spatial analysis and prediction using GIS in the Xiaojiang watershed. China: Engineering Geology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2004.06.0090.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Thapa, R. B., & Murayama, Y. (2008). Land evaluation for peri-urban agriculture using analytical hierarchical process and geographic information system techniques: a case study of Hanoi. Land Use Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2007.06.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Traintaphyllou, E., & Mann, S. H. (1995). Using the AHP for decision making in the engineering applications: some challenges. International Journal of Industrial Engineering: Theory Applications and Practice, 2(1), 35–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tshabalala, T., Ncube, B., Moyo, H. P., Abdel-Rahman, E. M., Mutangaa, O., & Ndhlala, A. R. (2020). Predicting the spatial suitability distribution of Moringa oleifera cultivation using analytical hierarchical process modeling. South African Journal of Botany, 129, 161–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2019.04.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaidya, O. S., & Kumar, S. (2006). Analytic hierarchy process: an overview of applications. European Journal of Operational Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2004.04.028.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, L., Liu, Y., Zhang, J., Ma, X. J., Wei, Z. Y., Tian, Y., et al. (2001). Geographic information system—Principle. Method and application (pp. 45–62). Beijing: Science Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xue, R., Wang, C., Liu, M., Zhang, D., Li, K., & Li, N. (2019). A new method for soil health assessment based on analytic hierarchy process and meta-analysis. Science of the Total Environment. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.049.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yalew, S. G., Van Griensven, A., Mul, M. L., & Zaag, V. P. (2016). Land suitability analysis for agriculture in the Abbay basin using remote sensing, GIS and AHP techniques. Modeling Earth Systems and Environment, 2, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-016-0167-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz, E. (1999). Solving multiple criteria decision making problems using the analytic hierarchy process. Eastern Mediterranean Forestry Research Institute, 127(16), 95–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zolekar, R. B., & Bhagat, V. S. (2015). Multi-criteria land suitability analysis for agriculture in hilly zone: Remote sensing and GIS approach. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 118, 300–321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2015.09.01.  

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

The authors declare that they have no funding sources.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Georessources and Environment Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, B.P 523, Mghila, Beni-Mellal, Morocco

    El Hassania El Hamzaoui, Mohamed El Baghdadi & Abdessamad Hilali

Authors
  1. El Hassania El Hamzaoui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohamed El Baghdadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Abdessamad Hilali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to El Hassania El Hamzaoui.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Communicated by M. V. Alves Martins

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 92 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

El Hamzaoui, E., El Baghdadi, M. & Hilali, A. GIS and AHP multi-criteria analysis method for assessing the suitability of soils adopted in agricultural activities in irrigated perimeter, Tadla plain (Morocco). J. Sediment. Environ. 6, 319–333 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-020-00048-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-020-00048-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation