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Evaluating agricultural potential of a Cape Metropolitan Catchment : a fuzzy logic approach
Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
2008
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| _version_ | 1867614011319648256 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Fourie, Johannes Christoffel |
| author2 | Van Niekerk, A. |
| author_browse | Fourie, Johannes Christoffel Van Niekerk, A. |
| author_facet | Van Niekerk, A. Fourie, Johannes Christoffel |
| author_sort | Fourie, Johannes Christoffel |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | University of Stellenbosch |
| description | Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1819 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:45:15.253Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2008 |
| publishDateRange | 2008 |
| publishDateSort | 2008 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1819 Evaluating agricultural potential of a Cape Metropolitan Catchment : a fuzzy logic approach Fourie, Johannes Christoffel Van Niekerk, A. University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies. Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Western Cape Land evaluation -- South Africa -- Western Cape Fuzzy logic Dissertations -- Geography and environmental studies Theses -- Geography and environmental studies Land capability for agriculture -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Evaluation Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. Sustainable use of the earth’s resources is seen by many authorities as critical to ensure the planet’s survival. In this regard agriculture is seen as a major role player and fundamental link in the chain of sustainability. South Africa, a country with relatively little favourable agricultural land, should therefore preserve high potential areas for agricultural purposes. The Western Cape, with 75% of all medium-potential arable land in South Africa, is a valuable asset. One region targeted for development and where uncertainty prevails regarding its agricultural potential, is the G21B catchment in the Atlantis Growth Corridor (AGC). The AGC is envisaged as long-term growth axis for the Cape Metropole, but conflicting opinions exist on its agricultural possibilities and suitability to absorb urban growth. Consequently, the aim of this project was to evaluate the suitability of this catchment for a number of agricultural landuses. Fuzzy logic, a modification of the land evaluation approach originally developed by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), was used to address this problem. Input data consisted of a soil map and digital elevation model (DEM) of the area. Parameters identified from these sources and applicable to the study were soil texture of the first, second and third horizons, as well as coarse fragments in the top soil, wetness, weathered rock, average pH, effective root depth, and slope. These parameters were compared to the requirements of six landuses, i.e. wheat, wine grapes, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and citrus, and a fuzzy representation for every landuse was constructed. Expert opinion aided in a weighting process whereby the relative weights of parameters were computed and incorporated into the evaluation. Results showed extensive areas with a relatively high agricultural potential for potatoes and wine grapes. In addition, areas with potential were also identified for wheat, citrus, and tomatoes, albeit on more limited scale. Large areas, however, were deemed unsuitable for the aforementioned agricultural crops and would therefore be suitable to absorb metropolitan growth or to be maintained as conservation areas. The fuzzy logic approach provided insightful results. Problematic parameters were easily identified and no information was lost in the evaluation process. It also allowed for an objective quantitative comparison between crops. This provided freedom in deciding which landuse should be practiced, especially if the focus is on a sustainable rather than the most productive crop. Masters 2008-11-05T09:28:47Z 2010-06-01T08:34:08Z 2008-11-05T09:28:47Z 2010-06-01T08:34:08Z 2006-12 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1819 en University of Stellenbosch application/pdf Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| spellingShingle | Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Western Cape Land evaluation -- South Africa -- Western Cape Fuzzy logic Dissertations -- Geography and environmental studies Theses -- Geography and environmental studies Land capability for agriculture -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Evaluation Fourie, Johannes Christoffel Evaluating agricultural potential of a Cape Metropolitan Catchment : a fuzzy logic approach |
| title | Evaluating agricultural potential of a Cape Metropolitan Catchment : a fuzzy logic approach |
| title_full | Evaluating agricultural potential of a Cape Metropolitan Catchment : a fuzzy logic approach |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating agricultural potential of a Cape Metropolitan Catchment : a fuzzy logic approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating agricultural potential of a Cape Metropolitan Catchment : a fuzzy logic approach |
| title_short | Evaluating agricultural potential of a Cape Metropolitan Catchment : a fuzzy logic approach |
| title_sort | evaluating agricultural potential of a cape metropolitan catchment a fuzzy logic approach |
| topic | Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Western Cape Land evaluation -- South Africa -- Western Cape Fuzzy logic Dissertations -- Geography and environmental studies Theses -- Geography and environmental studies Land capability for agriculture -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Evaluation |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1819 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fouriejohanneschristoffel evaluatingagriculturalpotentialofacapemetropolitancatchmentafuzzylogicapproach |