Classification of Areas Suitable for Fish Farming Using Geotechnology and Multi-Criteria Analysis

Abstract

This study proposed a method for identifying areas appropriate for fish farming in ground-excavated ponds using data obtained from public institutions. The method was applied to three cities located in the central-southern region of Paraná State, Brazil. In order to select appropriate areas, a geographic information system (GIS) was created using data from a digital elevation model (DEM), as well as data on soil occupation and type. A variable reclassification model (VRM) was created, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was applied to establish weights for a multi-criteria assessment of the factors. Non-classifiable areas and areas with constraints were identified and removed from the analysis. The sites classified as highly suitable or suitable represented 33.270.79 ha (18.71% of the total area), while the restricted areas represented 54,427.91 ha (30.60% of the total area). This method may represent a useful tool for decision making in the context of regional planning and may be used in the establishment of public policy and in the allocation of resources for aquaculture development.

Keywords

• analytic hierarchy processes
• geographic information systems
• digital elevation model
• variable reclassification
• QGIS software