Date of Award

Spring 8-1-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Geography, Geology, and Anthropology

First Advisor

James Speer

Second Advisor

Robert Larson

Third Advisor

Ryan Jensen

Abstract

This study was initiated to classify the land suitability of Indiana for agricultural use. It integrates environmental, economic, and social factors to analyze the agricultural land suitability of Indiana. Soil, topography, flood, climate, and urban factors were considered. Soil Rating for Plant Growth (SRPG) was used as a soil index in this model; it is calculated based on the STA TSGO database along with landscape attributes and climate. Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) was used as a climate index. Urban areas were defined from Tiger data and a buffer zone was used to estimate future sprawl. GIS overlay was used to find the distribution ofland suitability for agricultural use. Results consist of a set of digital maps and tabular data. It shows that most of Indiana land is suitable for agricultural production, soil is the most important factor in constraining agricultural land in Indiana, and urban sprawl threatens prime agricultural land. The results provide useful information for fanners, goverr1..111ent agencies, land use planners, and agricul:ural insurance companies to make proper land use decisions and policies.

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