DEVELOPMENT OF SPATIAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS (SDSS) USING GIS TECHNIQUES IN AMUR GRAPE (Vitis amurensis Rupr.) CULTIVATION: VAN-ERCIS (TURKEY) CASE

Abstract

Turkey is native land of grapes (Vitis spp.) which is the most consumed fruit in the world. Turkey has favorable climatic conditions for the viticulture. The aim of this study was to determine potential cultivation areas of cold durable Amur grape (Vitis amurensis Rupr.) in the districts and villages of Erciş (Van, Turkey) by employing the Geographic Information Systems GIS) that provides climate, soil and topography factors. GIS offers the opportunity to generate and to organize spatial data for the land planning and to analyze more than one layers. In this research, as parameters the sum of effective temperature, the number of days without frost, the lowest winter temperatures, slope, aspect, soil depth, soil drainage and the land use capability were evaluated in terms of viticulture. These parameters were scored according to the level of significance and analyzed by modeling. Possible cultivation areas of Amur Grape (Vitis amurensis Rupr.) were determined and suitability maps were created. It is also aimed to expand vineyard areas and to help the establishment of vineyard in suitable regions which is a costly and laborious efforts, thus preventing waste of time and cost. Considering the criteria evaluated by employing GIS, the agricultural areas in the region have been analyzed and mapped for suitability for the cultivation of Amur grape. Based on the evaluated parameters, possible growing areas of Amur grape have been determined that are far above the areas of traditional viticulture. It has been determined that at three suitability levels Amur Grape cultivation can be performed in a total land of 83.297 hectares in Erciş. Agricultural production depends on multiple factors; therefore planning and programming (product modeling) are not easy. With the contribution of this and similar studies, Agricultural Support and Planning will be carried out more efficiently.