Identifying Areas for Cultivating Industrial Hemp in Puerto Rico Using Geospatial Technologies

Abstract

This investigation focuses on determining areas that are optimal for growing industrial hemp in Puerto Rico. Using a multicriteria decision-making model, weights were calculated and assigned to each variable. Weights help establish a hierarchy between the criteria of precipitation, temperature, slope, organic carbon, and pH. These criteria are then combined to create a suitability map. The results of the analysis found that the most suitable lands are in the south and center-east parts of the island. A sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the model is considered highly sensitive to the organic carbon data, meaning that changing its parameters alters drastically suitability map results. Key Terms ⎯ Analytical Hierarchy Process, Geographical Information Systems, Hemp, Suitability Analysis.