JAUE2014-020 Land Suitability Evaluation in Karst Area Supported with RS and GIS

Abstract

This study explored the combination of RS, GIS technologies and the compositive model in land suitability 
evaluation for the representative and frail karst area. Specifically, the rocky desertification grade was considered as an index in this especial area. And the weight of each factor was calculated by expert analysis method and AHP. The article utilized RS images as information sources to process and capture land information. Supported with GIS, spatial and attribute databases of land information were set up. At the same time, the article built the compositive model namely ELGVAT model. Finally, the paper used the model and GIS to conduct land suitability evaluation in the study area and classed the results, worked out the land suitability degree of agricultural land, forest, garden plot, grassland, constructive land in the study area. The results showed: the combination of RS, GIS technologies and the compositive model could make the land suitability evaluation for the representative and frail karst area to be more fast and exact. In the study area, the area proportions of the high suitability degree of agricultural land, forest, garden plot, grassland, and constructive land were 9.32%, 23.11%, 18.07%, 20.20%, 32.93%. Their distribution accorded the situation of fact.