Using Geographical Information Systems in Determination of Production Areas of Ornamental Plants

The increase of dependency of people in nature, due to the gradual increase of population at cities and the effect of life conditions, causes an increase in demand for green areas and ornamental plants. This increase of demand had provided an economic sector dimension to cultivation of ornamental plants. This study had been realized in order to determine suitable areas for cultivation of ornamental plants in the province of Konya which is a significant agriculture potential of Turkey and which has an ecology suitable for cultivation of many agricultural products. In the determination of these suitable areas, Geographical Information Systems having many functions such as location determination, data storage, data analysis and spatial analysis had been used. Climate, topography and soil features required for cultivation of ornamental plants had been obtained in map environment for the research area, and the analyses required for determination of suitable areas had been made in ArcGIS module. As the result of the analyses, it had been determined that the south-east and south-west areas of the province of Konya were suitable or conditionally suitable areas for cultivation of ornamental plants. These areas will be assessed considering their proximity to market and the socio-economic features of the current producer potential, and establishment of ornamental plants cultivation facilities at the most suitable area will provide significant contributions for the province of Konya in economic, social and environmental aspects