Locating Ornamental and Medicinal Saffron Cultivation Based on AHP Analysis in GIS Environment in Ardabil Province

The ornamental and medicinal saffron with high economic value encompasses a great share of non-oil exports in Iran. As a result, identification of suitable areas for saffron cultivation in Ardabil province located in northwestern part of Iran necessitate effective planning for expanding cultivation and production of this product. Given the effect of various environmental factors on growth and yield of saffron, land evaluation process requires comprehensive spatial and descriptive information for cultivation of this plant. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allows taking advantage of this type of data and facilitates spatial analysis of collected data based on identified models. In this study, Multi-criteria Decision-making (MCDM) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods were used based on environmental ecological needs for saffron cultivation. Modeling and spatial analysis of data layers were performed in ArcGIS software. Research methods encompass data collection and entry, statistical calculations and analyses, criteria clustering and valuation, spatial modeling and integration of diverse information. Accordingly, land capability of Ardabil province was assessed for saffron cultivation. Final zoning map was prepared. The results showed effectiveness of hierarchical analysis in assessment of land capability for cultivation of saffron. According to this criteria, Ardabil province was divided into four parts as follows: 19.8 % of this province had highly suitable capability (355429.8 ha), 26.7 % had suitable capability (479291.7 ha), 29.3 % had moderate suitability (525964.3 ha) and 24.2 % had no suitability in cultivation of this plant (434414.2 ha). As a result, it is recommended to cultivate saffron in northern part of Ardebil (Moghan).