Ecological spatial modeling for land use optimization for Zea mays L. in Patilangio Sub district, Randangan District, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province

Abstract

This research was conducted at Pohuwato District in Randangan Sub District. The aims of this study are to assess the physical characteristic of ecological, land cover, land use, and land capacity to support the maize cultivation; to analyze the land capability, land sustainability, and the carrying capacity of land to support the system of maize cultivation; lastly is to spatial analyzes the ecology for maize land use optimization. The method for land evaluation was analyzed based on a land unit basis. Samples for the study site stratified with random sampling that determined by considering the land units (slope, landform, and land use). The samples of respondents was carried out for economics and social data that performed by the accidental method. The data of optimization land use was obtained from the map of RBI, map of administration, the map of land unit, and product LCLP analysis. The land carrying capacity and the land population pressure data was carried out based on the map of RBI, the map of administration, and the secondary data. The soil sampling was conducted at 3 locations. Land cover, land capability, land sustainability, land carrying capacity, and production was analyzed by using spatial analysis through GIS. Descriptive analysis was done for the social economic and stakeholder population data. The results show that the existing land (OPT) in the one Randangan Sub District of Pohuwato is classified as low category optimization (L). Where the OPT (L) = f (KL(III, IV) + KS (S3,N1) + DDL (L) + P (L) + TP (L). A strategy that can be done to optimize this low classified region are by converting some land of plant oil palm plantations that have categorizing in a high (H) and medium (M) class land capability for maize.