Integrated remote sensing–GIS analysis of urban wetland potential for crop farming: a case study of Nekemte district, western Ethiopia

Seasonal wetland crop farming plays a vital role in the lives of peoples of western Ethiopia. This study was aimed at the identification of potential wetlands suitable for crop farming in Nekemte district, western Ethiopia using GIS and remote sensing technology. Integrated remote sensing and GIS tools were used to generate and analyze the required wetland crop farming parameters. The parameters as existing land use/cover, terrain, soil, accessibility and available rivers parameters were extracted from satellite images, GPS surveys, Google map, DEM, FAO soil database, topographic sheets and the district's master plan. All the data layers were classified, standardized, weighted and combined using weighted overlay technique in the GIS environment. The result obtained showed that 199.8 ha of the wetlands were identified as highly suitable and 103.2 ha were investigated as marginally suitable. In view of assisting the decision makers, planners, investors and practitioners, a map of potential wetland for crop farming was produced.