Volume 18, Issue 4 (1-2025)
مرتع 2025, 18(4): 535-548 |
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Asgarian M, Ariapour A, Mehrabi H. Determining Areas Prone to Alfalfa Seed Cultivation (Medicago sativa) using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS): A Case Study of Hirab Basin, Lorestan Province. مرتع 2025; 18 (4) :535-548
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1260-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1260-en.html
Department of Rangeland Management, Borujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Borujerd
Abstract: (466 Views)
Background and objectives: This study aimed to identify and prioritize areas suitable for perennial alfalfa cultivation in low-yield dryland areas of the Hirab basin, Borujerd County, using Geographic Information System (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Alfalfa, often referred to as the "queen of forage plants," is of particular importance in agriculture. Dryland areas, which are subject to wind and water erosion due to poor management, present an opportunity for alfalfa cultivation due to the plant's adaptability to water scarcity conditions.
Methodology: Initially, information, layers, and maps of the region were collected. Natural factors affecting alfalfa cultivation were extracted from scientific sources, and a questionnaire was prepared to determine the coefficients of importance of these factors. These coefficients were entered into the Expert Choice software for weighting criteria and sub-criteria. After obtaining the normalized weights, the information was entered into ArcGIS software, and the layers were weighted and combined accordingly.
Results: The region was classified into four classes in terms of alfalfa cultivation potential: highly susceptible, susceptible, semi-susceptible, and non-susceptible. The results indicated that over 70% of the region has high to medium potential for alfalfa cultivation. This suggests that most parts of the Hirab region are suitable for alfalfa cultivation based on the studied climatic and topographical variables. More than half of the areas in the region possess favorable conditions for alfalfa cultivation, highlighting the high potential of the Hirab region for cultivating this crop as part of crop rotation and pasture restoration.
Conclusion: By examining the weight values obtained for the factors affecting alfalfa cultivation, it was determined that soil factors (soil texture, soil depth, salinity, and acidity) have the greatest impact on alfalfa cultivation with a weight value of 0.637. Following soil, the topographic criterion (including slope, direction, and altitude) has a weight value of 0.258, and the climate criterion (including temperature and precipitation) has a weight value of 0.105. Soil texture and soil salinity of the region have the least impact with weight values of 0.170 and 0.073, respectively. Areas with altitudes above 2500 meters have the least potential for alfalfa cultivation with a weight value of 0.048. Among the directional options, the south and southeast directions have the greatest impact on alfalfa cultivation with a weight value of 0.546, while the west and north directions have the least potential with a weight value of 0.084.
Methodology: Initially, information, layers, and maps of the region were collected. Natural factors affecting alfalfa cultivation were extracted from scientific sources, and a questionnaire was prepared to determine the coefficients of importance of these factors. These coefficients were entered into the Expert Choice software for weighting criteria and sub-criteria. After obtaining the normalized weights, the information was entered into ArcGIS software, and the layers were weighted and combined accordingly.
Results: The region was classified into four classes in terms of alfalfa cultivation potential: highly susceptible, susceptible, semi-susceptible, and non-susceptible. The results indicated that over 70% of the region has high to medium potential for alfalfa cultivation. This suggests that most parts of the Hirab region are suitable for alfalfa cultivation based on the studied climatic and topographical variables. More than half of the areas in the region possess favorable conditions for alfalfa cultivation, highlighting the high potential of the Hirab region for cultivating this crop as part of crop rotation and pasture restoration.
Conclusion: By examining the weight values obtained for the factors affecting alfalfa cultivation, it was determined that soil factors (soil texture, soil depth, salinity, and acidity) have the greatest impact on alfalfa cultivation with a weight value of 0.637. Following soil, the topographic criterion (including slope, direction, and altitude) has a weight value of 0.258, and the climate criterion (including temperature and precipitation) has a weight value of 0.105. Soil texture and soil salinity of the region have the least impact with weight values of 0.170 and 0.073, respectively. Areas with altitudes above 2500 meters have the least potential for alfalfa cultivation with a weight value of 0.048. Among the directional options, the south and southeast directions have the greatest impact on alfalfa cultivation with a weight value of 0.546, while the west and north directions have the least potential with a weight value of 0.084.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2024/05/13 | Accepted: 2025/02/12 | Published: 2025/01/29
Received: 2024/05/13 | Accepted: 2025/02/12 | Published: 2025/01/29
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