Mango suitability evaluation based on GIS, multi criteria weights and sensitivity analysis

The integration of Geographic Information System and Multi Criteria Analysis has proved to be an indispensible tool in land suitability evaluation, especially when the spatial problems are characterized by multiple alternatives. Nevertheless, in the execution of the models based on these methods and techniques, little attention has been paid to the evaluation of the final results and to priority of weights. The purpose of this paper is to produce an agricultural land suitability evaluation system using Geographic Information System and Multi Criteria Analysis. A new method based on GIS, Sensitivity Analysis and mathematical variations analysis is developed to determine the weights of the parameters. This method measures the stability of results with respect to the variation of different parameter weights, and displays spatial change dynamics. The criteria for spatial analysis comprised five factors viz. soil, flood potential area, erosion risk, topographic, and climate maps. The findings showed that soil, slope and erosion represented the most important factors in the study area. Conversely, climate and flood were found to be less important. This method would improve the reliability of multi criteria decision problem output and provides mechanism for non-experts to explore the priority of each criterion and reduce subjectivity of weights.