APPLICATION OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM IN POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT OF Hevea Brasiliensis PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT IN BINH PHUOC PROVINCE

Abstract

The suitable zones of conditions for rubbers - Hevea brasiliensis plantations was based on 5 ecological factors: elevation, slope, soil thickness, temperature, rainfall. Therefore, the zones of condition were classified by the authors into 3 levels: suitable, medium suitable and unsuitable. The results of this research identified the zoning threshold for rubbers plantation by each individual factor: most suitable elevation is less than 200 m, most suitable slope is less than 16^o, most suitable soil thickness is less than 1.5 m, most suitable temperature is between 25^oC and 28^oC and most suitable rainfall is greater than 1,800 mm/year. From the area and zoned maps of site conditions, each factor indicated the area for corresponding level: 61.22% (468,501 ha) - medium suitable for rubbers plantations; suitable area occupied 31.06% (213,275 ha); unsuitable for rubbers plantations 0.82% (4,960 ha). The research has shown the comparison between the current planting status and suitable zones of site conditions for rubbers plantation in Binh Phuoc province. The most planted area was on two levels: suitable and medium, only a small area was unsuitable. The investigated growth of rubbers in the suitable area was much better than the growth of rubbers in the medium, similarly, the growth of rubbers in the medium suitable area was better than the growth of rubbers in the unsuitable area, even rubbers was unable to grow well. The results of this study could be used as reference for selecting suitable area for rubbers plantation development in Binh Phuoc province.