Modeling climatic, terrain and soil factors using AHP in GIS for grapevines suitability assessment

The study carried out in Matera, Italy, used multi-criteria decision-making techniques and geographic information systems to identify optimal area management for sustainable grape production. Terrain parameters such as temperature, pH, humidity, soil texture, slope, altitude, nutrients and precipitation were considered. ArcGIS maps were created, and the northwest part of the field was identified as a favorable area. Fuzzy maps were generated, and measurements were taken in each area to determine optimal land management. The results revealed that 51% of the area was very highly suitable for agricultural activities, and 49% was considered high suitable. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the AHP results demonstrated a high level of accuracy, as indicated by the area under the curve (AUC). The produced maps indicated a similar trend of increasing zone management priorities for physico-chemicals as depth fluctuate. Additionally, results showed that remote sensing indices were the most important variables to predict physico-chemicals zone management. The study also highlighted that the majority of the area supported plant growth due to favorable temperature and humidity conditions, with only a small portion in the northwest showing less favorable results. By identifying management zones, the study aimed to protect crops, better use of irrigation water and improve yields. This study highlights the potential of integrating satellite remote sensing, GIS technology and AHP as a valuable tool for agricultural land use planners and policy makers in identifying optimal locations for managing grape production. © 2024 The Author(s). Sustainable Development published by ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.