Relief parameters and fuzzy logic for land evaluations of mango crops (Mangifera indica L.) in Colombia

• Main Authors: Oscar Javier Munar-Vivas, Luis Joel Martínez M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centro Editorial of Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia 2014-08-01
• Series: Agronomía Colombiana
• Subjects: DEM; SRTM; frutas tropicales; evaluación de tierras; lógica difusa
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0120-99652014000200012&lng=en&tlng=en

The aim of this paper is to illustrate the use of digital elevation models (DEM) to calculate relief parameters and include them in suitability studies of land for mango crops in Colombia. Data from SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) DEMs with 30 meter of spatial resolution and elevation in meters were used to calculate the slope, aspect, curvature, solar radiation, and topographic wetness index for inclusion in a land evaluation study. Fuzzy logic rules were developed and applied to define the degree of suitability by matching land use requirements with land characteristics. When integrated with geographic information systems, DEMs have significant potential for quantitatively defining and characterizing relief and for generating more detailed data to improve land evaluation processes. The Fuzzy logic proved to be a more realistic approach for evaluating the degree of land suitability than traditional bivalent logic, allowing for the use of membership degrees.