Soil survey and land suitability classification with applications of geographic information systems: Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Date
1995
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Abstract
A 1: 10 000 detailed soil survey was completed for Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Eleven soil units and two miscellaneous units were identified. A technological approach incorporating geostatistics and GIS was used to develop the soil survey, analysis and interpretation. Once a database was created in the GIS, the data was interpolated to produce several thematic soil maps for Union Island. These thematic maps served as the basis for a land suitability classification. The land suitability classification was completed based on the need for development of potential agriculture, agroforestry and forestry on Union Island. Growth requirements for vegetable and fruit crops as well as for tree species used in agroforestry and forestry were identified. The growth criteria were co-ordinated with the interpolated maps to determine areas of suitability for specific species. From this classification, patterns of suitability emerged based on the physical environment. Areas identified as highly, moderately, and marginally suitable for agriculture were determined. As well, land suitable for forestry and agroforestry, mainly grazing system improvement, was identified. Based on these spatial patterns, site specific as well as general land management recommendations for agronomic improvement could be made informatively.
Description
Bibliography: p. 144-149.
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Citation
Ewaschuk, C. M. (1995). Soil survey and land suitability classification with applications of geographic information systems: Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/16711
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