DEVELOPMENT OF SPATIAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS (SDSS) USING GIS TECHNIQUES IN WALNUT (Junglas regia L.) CULTIVATION: VAN-ÇATAK (TURKEY) CASE

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the areas where walnut (Junglas regia L.), which is grown in different ecological conditions of the world and Anatolia and provides significant added value to the economy of the region and the country, can be grown within the borders of Çatak (Van) district by using GIS. Within the scope of the study, certain data sets were created by taking into account the factors affecting the cultivation of walnuts, previous studies and expert opinions in determining the optimum areas where walnuts can grow in Çatak district. These data sets were combined with the necessary elements in the raster thematic maps and climatic vector maps (E00 maps with the e-high curve) and then they transferred into the database. All the obtained data were compared with each other by using GIS software and the areas where walnut could grow were determined. Due to the topographic structure of Çatak district, it has been concluded that walnut can be grown in valleys, slopes and floors where the altitude and slope are relatively low, but it will not be suitable for cultivation in mountainous areas. Thanks to this study, it will be used both in revealing the agricultural potential of different areas where walnut orchards can be established in Çatak (Van-Turkey) district and it will be also used in managing information based on locations.