Evaluation of Land Suitability for Brackishwatershrimp Farming using GIS in Mahakam Delta, Indonesia

Abstract

This paper briefly described land evaluation of shrimp farming development in Mahakam Delta, discusses its ecological and socio-economic impacts and recommends measures to achieve long term sustainability using Geographic Information System (GIS). The objectives of this research were to know land evaluation based on suitability for brackish water aquaculture and optimal utilazation level. This reserarch was conducted at Mahakam Delta Sub Distric Kutai Kartanegara; East Kalimantan. Surveys have been done collected primary data, while secondary data was obtained from related institution and needed maps for GIS analysis, with overlying map and primary data in each station observation with considering and assessment scale value of determining land suitability for brackish water pond using  AHP method.The result of GIS analysis had been obtained the land suitability at Mahakam Delta, area of highly suitable for shrimp pond was 1,185 ha (3.02%), suitable was 32,137 ha (81.93%), and not suitable was 5,905 ha (15.05 %) of 39,226 ha total land area that was studied. It can be concluded the sites with generality were suitable based on potential for pond construction, water availability, and water quality but not suitable for soil quality and infrastructure facilities.

Keywords: GIS, Land suitability, Shrimp pond, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Land use evaluation