Vineyard site suitability analysis by use of multicriteria approach applied on geo-spatial data

Abstract

In this research, multicriteria decision analysis with pairwise comparison weighting method was utilized to determine the suitable locations for vineyard plantation in Sarkoy region of Turkey. Soil maps, meteorological measurements, slope, aspect and elevation maps were used as input to conduct spatial analysis. Different methods were compared and pairwise comparison method was identified as the most appropriate method of weighting for this spatial analysis. Current vineyard areas were determined using Worldview-2 imagery and their spatial distribution compared with the resulting suitability map to determine the current suitability. Comparisons showed current vineyards were mostly established in locations where suitability map expresses low capability. Further inspection unveiled that, these low capability lands are closer to the transportation networks and city/county centres that tend to be in sea level elevations as opposed to vine grapes thriving in higher altitudes. Results also enabled providing suggestions on alternative sites for new vineyard plantation.