Background and Objective: One of the methods of agricultural planning is determining suitable locations for planting crops and orchards based on climatic and physiographic conditions. The aim of this study is to locate areas suitable for cherry tree cultivation in the Hir region of Ardabil Province based on climatic elements and factors.
Methodology: In this study, data on climatic factors such as slope, elevation above sea level, and soil depth, as well as data on climatic elements including precipitation (annual, winter, germination, flowering, fruiting) and average temperature (winter, flowering, fruiting, and ripening) with a 30-year statistical period (1994 to 2023) were used. The research process included data collection, calculations and statistical analysis using Excel, determining the weighted index of criteria using the AHP method, and inputting and integrating information in the GIS environment.
Findings and Conclusion: The research results showed that altitude above sea level with a weight index of 0.166, winter temperature with a weight of 0.139, and germination temperature with a weight of 0.106 had the greatest impact on cherry tree planting. Each criterion was weighted according to the AHP method and classified in a GIS environment. The final cherry tree planting location map was prepared by integrating the classified criteria in the GIS environment. The results indicated that approximately 32% of the Hir region lands are very suitable, 19% suitable, 23% marginally suitable, and 27% unsuitable for cherry tree cultivation. Overall, the Bagh-e-Rabad and Hir stations, due to their favorable climatic and physiographic conditions, are among the areas suitable for cherry tree planting.