Geomorphic compatibility of agricultural land use in the upper basin of the Lerma River, Mexico

Abstract

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A method for assessing land sustainability that has emerged in recent years is the application of quantitative spatial indicators, using simple methodologies, and reliable data to determine and monitor trends, as well as to provide accurate cartographic representations. The present work defines geomorphic compatibility coefficients for agricultural land use in the upper basin of the Lerma River in Mexico. The methodology identifies geomorphic processes and, based on the lithologic susceptibility of the substrate and slopes, assesses their potential intensity. This analysis allows us to determine which areas are incompatible with agricultural land use, as a percentage of the total area of cropland in the zone under study, based on grouping geomorphic processes into different compatibility categories. The resulting coefficients are a valuable aid for land use planning and sustainable regional development, as they make it possible to identify areas in which existing agricultural land use is incompatible with the geomorphic processes active at the site.