GIS-Based Evaluation of Soybean Growing Areas Suitability in China

In this study, the suitable areas for soybean in China were presented by GIS-based Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) approach. We collected datas of environmental conditions and soybean growth associated factors, then, by the GIS technology we established spatial database of regional weather, topography, and soil conditions. Using the Spatial Analyst, the Spatial Interpolation, the Reclassification and the Weighted Overlay of ARCGIS9.2 operated to the database. Then the suitable criteria map of soybean in China was created, and the potential suitability of soybean planting areas was evaluated. The results showing 5,960,271 km of areas are fit for spring soybean and 5,286,643 km of areas are fit for summer soybean in the Northeast Plain, the Huang-Huai Plain and the Yangtze River Delta, in addition, there are lots of scattered suitable areas for soybean cultivation. This present study was aimed to provide some value references for Government formulating policies on the adjustment of industrial structure, and some reasonable guidance for farmers cultivating the agricultural products, more importantly, to achieve the purpose of utilizing natural resources reasonably.