Agroclimatic land use planning model of the Ciego de Ávila province, Cuba▲

Abstract

In order to evaluate an agroclimatic land use planning model of the Ciego de Ávila province, Cuba, this study was conducted. The work consisted in the integration of the variable mean temperature, soil and water availability through the elaboration of thematic maps during the period 2016-2018. Maps were elaborated through Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS. In addition, a documentary analysis was carried out to support the soil and climate demands of the crops. An optimum development threshold was established, based on the mean temperature, soil and underground water availability. A set of suitability maps was made for 11 economically important crops, of high bearing on local and national food security. The thermal differences in seasonal spatial distribution did not reach high values; temperature did not show great limitations for crop growth in the territory. The same does not occur with the hydrogeology particularities of the province, which constitute a highly limiting factor. With the development of this study, there are thematic maps available, which show the areas of higher aptitude of soils (agroproductive categories I and II), mean temperature and sectorized water availability for different agricultural crops. In addition, it constitutes a tool available for government officials, decision-makers, specialists, technicians and farmers who participate in the agroclimatic land use planning in Ciego de Ávila.