Land Suitability Evaluation for Vannamei Shrimp Farming (L. vannamei) in Sendang Sikucing, Rowosari, Kendal

The development of vannamei cultivation in Kendal Regency mostly in intensive farming should be evaluated since the carrying capacity of the environmental seems getting decrease. Land suitability evaluation using GIS can determine the suitability of land for its designation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability and area of ​​vannamei cultivation in Sendang Sikucing. The method used in this study is survey method combined with quantitative approach. Survey method was conducted to obtain primary data in the form of water physico-chemical data (DO, temperature, pH, salinity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, depth, and brightness). A quantitative approach is used in weighting and scoring land suitability values ​​using ArcGIS 10.8 software. The results of water parameters obtained DO ranging from 5.9-7.4 mg/L, temperature 27.2-28.9 C, pH 7.67-8.39, salinity 15-26 ppt, ammonia 0.08- 0.6 mg/L, nitrite 0.015-2.03 mg/L, nitrate 1.1-4.3 mg/L, phosphate 0.19-2.96 mg/L, depth 70-120 cm, and brightness 17 -45 cm. Evaluation of land suitability for vannamei in Sendang Sikucing found that the area with the S1 category (suitable) was 38.99Ha and the S2 category (moderately suitable) was 0.28Ha out of a total land area of ​​39.27Ha. This shows that the Sendang Sikucing can be used for the development of vannamei shrimp cultivation.