Application of Geographic Information System to Land Use Suitability Assessment in Ban Nanglae Nai, Muang District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate and determine suitable areas in Doi Nanglae, Doi Yao and Doi Phra Bat national reserved forest and local people in Ban Nanglae Nai, Nanglae sub-district, Muang district, Chiang Rai province. Landuse suitability assessment was determined by using geographic information system as a database for landuse planning in selected area. This study was evaluated using primary and secondary data sources integrated with satellite image. In addition, socio-economic and landuse data from household villages were also analyzed. The household representatives were interviewed using a structural interview questionnaire (n = 254). Informal dialogue with key informants was practiced. The results revealed that almost half of the sample group (49.87 percent) needs title deed and appropriate agricultural operations from relevant government organizations for integrated farming and legume species plantation as green manure. These factors can be considered highly correlated with conservation landuse. According to the obtained results, although Doi Nanglae, Doi Yao and Doi Phra Bat national reserved forests were unsuitable for cropping because slopes were steeper than 30 percent. However, hill farming was moderately suitable for rice cultivation, where less than 30 percent of slope, but the area must be planned for conservation landuse for nourishing soil and landslide prevention. The conservation areas of Ban Nanglae Nai were located at steep slope area (>30 percent), where potential soil erosion was high. Moreover, soil group of Ban Nanglae Nai is belonged to soil group 62, which should not be used for agriculture, but it should be preserved as natural forest to maintain spring.