Journal of Environment and Earth Science www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online) Vol.4, No.16, 2014 19 Evaluation of Land Suitability for Brackishwatershrimp Farming using GIS in Mahakam Delta, Indonesia Yunianto Setiawan 1* Dietriech G. Bengen 2 CecepKusmana 3 Setyo Pertiwi 4 1.Study Program of Natural Resources Management and Environmental, Graduate School Bogor Agricultural University, Baranang Siang Campus, Pajajaran Street, Bogor 40173, Indonesia 2. Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Bogor Agricultural University IPB Campus Dramaga Bogor 16680, Indonesia 3.Department of Forestry, Bogor Agricultural University, IPB CampusDramaga Bogor 16680, Indonesia 4. Department of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Bogor Agricultural University IPB Campus Dramaga Bogor 16680, Indonesia * E-mail of the corresponding author:wansety@yahoo.com Abstract This paper briefly described land evaluation of shrimp farming development in Mahakam Delta, discusses its ecological and socio-economic impacts and recommends measures to achieve long term sustainability using Geographic Information System (GIS). The objectives of this research were to know land evaluation based on suitability for brackish water aquaculture and optimal utilazation level. This reserarch was conducted at Mahakam Delta Sub Distric Kutai Kartanegara; East Kalimantan. Surveys have been done collected primary data, while secondary data was obtained from related institution and needed maps for GIS analysis, with overlying map and primary data in each station observation with considering and assessment scale value of determining land suitability for brackish water pond using AHP method.The result of GIS analysis had been obtained the land suitability at Mahakam Delta, area of highly suitable for shrimp pond was 1,185 ha (3.02%), suitable was 32,137 ha (81.93%), and not suitable was 5,905 ha (15.05 %) of 39,226 ha total land area that was studied. It can be concluded the sites with generality were suitable based on potential for pond construction, water availability, and water quality but not suitable for soil quality and infrastructure facilities. Keywords: GIS, Land suitability, Shrimp pond, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Land use evaluation 1. Introduction Land evaluation is formally defined as 'the assessment of land performance when used for a specified purpose, involving the execution and interpretation of surveys and studies of land forms, soils, vegetation, climate and other aspects of land in order to identify and make a comparison of promising kinds of land use in terms applicable to the objectives of the evaluation' (FAO, 1976). Land evaluation is very important because the land has the physical, social, economic, and varied geography (Rossiter, D.G. 1996). Varying nature of the land may affect the use of land. Therefore many variables are involved while selecting a suitable site in this study. It is now possible to assess the suitability of multiple sites in a rapid and systematic way to enhance the planned progression of land-based coastal aquaculture towards a more sustainable future with geographic information systems (GIS) (Mcleod I, 2002). GIS has been widely used for evaluating sites for various cultured species and environments, e.g., Aguilar-Manjarrez and Ross, 1995, described the use of a geographical information system (GIS) to construct environmental models for land-based aquaculture development in the State of Sinaloa, Mexico.Giap, D.H., Yi, Y., Yakupitiyage, A., 2005,to identify appropriate sites for shrimp farming development in Haiphong province of Vietnam using geographical information systems (GIS). The objective of this study was to evaluate of land suitability for shrimp pond in the mahakam delta using GIS techniquest.Shrimp farming in the Mahakam delta has lasted for more and less 25 years and present it has experienced a significant decline in production .A land evaluation program was implemented to determine land suitability and limiting factors for brackish water pond production as an effort to elevate productivity and to propose appropriate management practices. . 2. Materials and Method 2.1 Description of the study area The Mahakam Delta is located on the east coast of the island of Borneo in position 117 0 15 '- 117 0 40' east longitude and 0 0 21 '- 1 0 10' south latitude. Administratively located in the Kutai Kartanegara regency. The Mahakam Delta consists of 46 small islands. It is divided to 5 (five) subdistricts. Those subdistricts above are Samboja, MuaraJawa, Sanga-Sanga, MuaraBadak and Anggana. Covering an area of 110,000 ha. Mahakam delta is included in climate type A, a classification based on Schmidt – Fergusson classification, in which the number of wet months (rainfall ≥ 100 mm) greater than the dry months (rainfall ≤ 60 mm). The rainy season occurs in December to April, while the dry season from May to January. Monsoon winds are dominant eastern and western monsoon. While the air humidity is high.