A GIS-based agroecological model for sustainable agricultural production in arid and semi-arid areas: The case of Kerman Province, Iran

Promoting the adoption of crop species with medicinal and commercial value can provide new opportunities for local communities to export their products. Meanwhile, using sustainable water resources and minimizing the over-exploitation of groundwater are urgently needed due to the critical status of...

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Main Authors: Kamaleddin Aghaloo, Ayyoob Sharifi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-01-01
Series:Current Research in Environmental Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666049023000233
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author Kamaleddin Aghaloo
Ayyoob Sharifi
author_facet Kamaleddin Aghaloo
Ayyoob Sharifi
author_sort Kamaleddin Aghaloo
collection DOAJ
description Promoting the adoption of crop species with medicinal and commercial value can provide new opportunities for local communities to export their products. Meanwhile, using sustainable water resources and minimizing the over-exploitation of groundwater are urgently needed due to the critical status of aquifers in many parts of the world. Most existing studies are focused on a single aspect of this issue. However, few studies have incorporated the results of several suitability models in agroecological processes. Rossa Damascena Mill is recognized as a crop species and raw material with added value and considerable profitability. In addition, it is resistant to drought and adapts to different climatic conditions. This paper presents a framework for the optimal detection of suitable land for agroecological activities. We tested the framework in Kerman Province (Iran) to identify: 1) suitable lands for Rossa Damascena Mill cultivation, 2) suitable lands for agricultural rainwater harvesting (ARWH) systems, and 3) suitable lands for developing both Rosa farms and RWH simultaneously. Results revealed that approximately 24,808.5 km2 of land (14% of the province's land) is suitable for dry farming. Also, RWH systems can be implemented in 19,024.4 km2 of land (11% of the province). Overlapping land suitability for rainfed agriculture and RWH systems highlights that only 4% of the study area can be cultivated. Finally, two strategies are suggested: developing Rosa Damascena cultivation in a) ranked areas for rainfed agriculture and b) farms/gardens that can be supplied by RWH systems nearby. Sensitivity analysis and overall accuracy assessment validated the results and robustness of the modeling. This proposed model can be helpful for making effective decisions regarding the region's sustainable development to strengthen the local economy and address water stress issues, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. The results have implications for different SDGs, including SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production and SDG 15 on life on land. They can also be used to enhance resilience against stressors induced by climate change.
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spelling doaj.art-1337245d93ce47b7a21d7b865b29834b2023-12-09T06:07:56ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Environmental Sustainability2666-04902023-01-016100230A GIS-based agroecological model for sustainable agricultural production in arid and semi-arid areas: The case of Kerman Province, IranKamaleddin Aghaloo0Ayyoob Sharifi1Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, JapanHiroshima University, The IDEC Institute, Japan; Corresponding author at: Hiroshima University, The IDEC Institute and Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS); 1-5-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima City Hiroshima 739-8529, Japan.Promoting the adoption of crop species with medicinal and commercial value can provide new opportunities for local communities to export their products. Meanwhile, using sustainable water resources and minimizing the over-exploitation of groundwater are urgently needed due to the critical status of aquifers in many parts of the world. Most existing studies are focused on a single aspect of this issue. However, few studies have incorporated the results of several suitability models in agroecological processes. Rossa Damascena Mill is recognized as a crop species and raw material with added value and considerable profitability. In addition, it is resistant to drought and adapts to different climatic conditions. This paper presents a framework for the optimal detection of suitable land for agroecological activities. We tested the framework in Kerman Province (Iran) to identify: 1) suitable lands for Rossa Damascena Mill cultivation, 2) suitable lands for agricultural rainwater harvesting (ARWH) systems, and 3) suitable lands for developing both Rosa farms and RWH simultaneously. Results revealed that approximately 24,808.5 km2 of land (14% of the province's land) is suitable for dry farming. Also, RWH systems can be implemented in 19,024.4 km2 of land (11% of the province). Overlapping land suitability for rainfed agriculture and RWH systems highlights that only 4% of the study area can be cultivated. Finally, two strategies are suggested: developing Rosa Damascena cultivation in a) ranked areas for rainfed agriculture and b) farms/gardens that can be supplied by RWH systems nearby. Sensitivity analysis and overall accuracy assessment validated the results and robustness of the modeling. This proposed model can be helpful for making effective decisions regarding the region's sustainable development to strengthen the local economy and address water stress issues, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. The results have implications for different SDGs, including SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production and SDG 15 on life on land. They can also be used to enhance resilience against stressors induced by climate change.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666049023000233Land suitabilityGIS integrated with MCDMSustainable agricultureBest-worst methodSDGsClimate change resilience
spellingShingle Kamaleddin Aghaloo
Ayyoob Sharifi
A GIS-based agroecological model for sustainable agricultural production in arid and semi-arid areas: The case of Kerman Province, Iran
Current Research in Environmental Sustainability
Land suitability
GIS integrated with MCDM
Sustainable agriculture
Best-worst method
SDGs
Climate change resilience
title A GIS-based agroecological model for sustainable agricultural production in arid and semi-arid areas: The case of Kerman Province, Iran
title_full A GIS-based agroecological model for sustainable agricultural production in arid and semi-arid areas: The case of Kerman Province, Iran
title_fullStr A GIS-based agroecological model for sustainable agricultural production in arid and semi-arid areas: The case of Kerman Province, Iran
title_full_unstemmed A GIS-based agroecological model for sustainable agricultural production in arid and semi-arid areas: The case of Kerman Province, Iran
title_short A GIS-based agroecological model for sustainable agricultural production in arid and semi-arid areas: The case of Kerman Province, Iran
title_sort gis based agroecological model for sustainable agricultural production in arid and semi arid areas the case of kerman province iran
topic Land suitability
GIS integrated with MCDM
Sustainable agriculture
Best-worst method
SDGs
Climate change resilience
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666049023000233
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