A GIS BASED ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES FOR KARSTIC AREAS OF THE ADRIATIC COASTAL REGION

The goal of this research was to develop a system for assessing of agricultural resources in typical karstic aeas of Adriatic coastal region. Data about land use/agricultural cover, soil and relief have been captured, stored, manipulated, analysed, managed and visualized in GIS. Ortho-photo of the study area and field work have been used for land use/agricultural cover and soil mapping, while 3D terrain model have been used for making slope and aspect maps. Soil properties were established by field and laboratory research. The study was conducted on municipality Marina located in central Dalmatia 25 km west of Split which occupies an area of 11.869 ha. This area is typical for entire Adriatic coastal karst region characterized with dominance shallow and stony Terra Rossa soil developed on Cretaceous limestones and dolomites, Mediterranean type of climate and a long lasting and intensive human impact. Anthropogenic soils on colluvial deposits are located in poljima and dolinama, and on steeper slopes are terraced, with specific type of terracing called kazeta“. Agricultural crops occupying an area of 1.784 ha, of which the most frequent are: olives, almonds, figs and grapevine. This project is a case study to test the efficiency of the integration of GIS technologies and ecological principles in system for facilitate and improving sustainable managing agricultural areas of coastal zone. Demonstration of system efficiency was given on example of land suitability assessment for growing vine cultivar Babić.