跳至主要内容

Land Suitability Evaluation for Agricultural Cropland in Mongolia Using the Spatial MCDM Method and AHP Based GIS

In Mongolia, the sown areas rose steadily by 440.6 thousand hectares between the years 2006 and 2016; however, cropland remained 405.5 thousand hectares less than in 1989. In this same time period, the total population increased 3.19 times and the amount of sown area declined by half as compared with the population growth, which made the main vegetables imports (onion, garlic, cabbage, turnips and other root seed vegetables) increase from 5438.4 tons in 1995 to 64,107 tons in 2016, an increase of 11.7 times. So the country is facing challenges (especially local governments and community groups) to identify new crop areas with enough capacity for cultivation.

The purpose of this study was to prepare a cropland suitability map of Mongolia based on comprehensive landscape principles, including topography, soil properties, vegetation, climate and socio-economic factors. The primary goal was to create a more accurate map to estimate vegetation criteria (above ground biomass AGB), soil organic matter, soil texture, and the hydrothermal coefficient by using Landsat 8 satellite imagery.

The analysis used Landsat 8 imagery from the 2016 summer season with a resolution of 30 meters, time series MODIS vegetation products (MOD13, MOD15, MOD17) averaged over 16 days from June to August 2000-2016, an SRTM DEM with a resolution of 30 meters, and a field survey of measured biomass and soil data. In total, 6 main factors were classified and quality evaluation criteria were developed for 17 criteria, each with 5 levels. In this research the spatial MCDM (multi-criteria decision-making) method and AHP based GIS were applied. This was developed for each criteria layer’s value by multiplying parameters for each factor obtained from the pair comparison matrix by the weight addition, and by the suitable evaluation of several criteria factors affecting cropland. General accuracy was 88%, while PLS and RF regressions were 82.3% and 92.8%, respectively.

In conclusion, in this study the mentioned methods of land suitability evaluation for cropland can be used to save time for land management in this study, and allow for the possibility of justifying policy decisions with science.

Article by Munkhdulam Otgonbayar, et al, from Mongolia and Austria.

Full access: http://mrw.so/3yjdNk
Image by Saffy H, from Flickr-cc.


评论

发表评论

此博客中的热门博文

Incorporation of High-Altitude Balloon Experiment in High School Science Classrooms

High-altitude balloon is a balloon, filled usually with helium or hydrogen that ascends into an area called “near space” or stratosphere. The most common type of high-altitude balloons are weather balloons. Other purposes include use as a platform for experiments in the upper atmosphere. Modern balloons generally contain electronic equipment such as radio transmitters, cameras, or satellite navigation systems, such as GPS receivers. The mission of the High-Altitude Balloon Experiment (HABE) is to acquire supporting data, validate enabling technologies, and resolve critical acquisition, tracking, and pointing (ATP) and fire control issues in support of future space-based precision pointing experiments. The use of high-altitude balloons offers a relatively low-cost, low-vibration test platform, a recoverable and reusable payload, worldwide launch capability, and a 'near- space' emulation of the future space systems operational scenarios. More recently, several university...
1 条评论
阅读全文

Location Optimization of a Coal Power Plant to Balance Costs against Plant’s Emission Exposure

Fuel and its delivery cost comprise the biggest expense in coal power plant operations. Delivery of electricity from generation to consumers requires investment in power lines and transmission grids. Placing a coal power plant or multiple power plants near dense population centers can lower transmission costs. If a coalmine is nearby, transportation costs can also be reduced. However, emissions from coal plants play a key role in worsening health crises in many countries. And coal upon combustion produces CO 2 , SO 2 , NO x , CO, Metallic and Particle Matter (PM10 & PM2.5). The presence of these chemical compounds in the atmosphere in close vicinity to humans, livestock, and agriculture carries detrimental health consequences. The goal of the research was to develop a methodology to minimize the public’s exposure to harmful emissions from coal power plants while maintaining minimal operational costs related to electric distribution losses and coal logistics. The objective was...
发表评论
阅读全文

Effects of Karate Training on Basic Motor Abilities of Primary School Children

“You never attack first in karate” might be the best conclusion of karate, which is a martial art practiced typically without weapons. It’s reported that karate has a long history for several hundred years, but the modern karate was spread to the whole Japan from Okinawa in the early part of 20th century. Now it has become one of the most widely practiced martial art forms in the world. Usually, it’s divided into Kihon, Kata and Kumite. As for the beginners, Kihon is more suitable for them because it involves basic techniques. Due to karate consists of dynamic offensive and defensive techniques using all parts of the body to their maximum advantage, the best understanding of true karate practice is the perfection of oneself through the perfection of the art. It not only develops coordination, quickens reflexes, and builds stamina, but also develops composure, a clearer thought process, deeper insight into one’s mental capabilities, and more self-confidence. So many researchers stu...
发表评论
阅读全文