Analysis of land suitability for apple-based agroforestry farming in Dire and Legedadi watersheds of Ethiopia: implication for ecosystem services

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate land suitability for apple farming in the Dire and Legedadi watersheds of the central highlands of Ethiopia. Attributes that determine apple growth were categorized into environmental, soil, climate, and land management factors. The land evaluation methodology developed by FAO (1976) was applied in six steps. First, nine thematic layers are prepared. Second, pair-wise comparison matrices were performed using AHP. Third, thematic layers are reclassified. Forth, weights are assigned to each class. Fifth, weighted overlay analysis was performed to produce a land suitability map. Finally, the land suitability map was classified into high, moderate, marginally suitable, and unsuitable categories. Soil type received the highest weight of 1.98 followed by elevation and LULC of 1.51 each. The mean temperature, rainfall, soil pH, and soil drainage weight were 1.41, 0.94, 0.56, and 0.52 respectively. Whereas the slope and aspect weighted the lowest at 0.38 and 0.19 respectively. Out of the total area of the watersheds, about 14 km2 (6.7%) and 12.34 km2 (13.1%) are highly suitable for apple farming in the Legedadi and Dire watersheds respectively. Whereas, about 113.35 km2 (53.8%) and 42.54 km2 (45.2%) of land are not suitable in the Legedadi and Dire watersheds respectively. Landholders who play a pivotal role should be incentivized to grow perennial crops (e.g., apple-trees) to enhance environmental income and alleviate poverty.