Land suitability classification of choice of trees species in District Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistan especially in Province Punjab has a narrow forest resource. More than 90% of the fuel wood and almost 50% of timber requirements are being met from trees being growing on the private farm lands, based on agroforestry as compared with the state forests. It is obvious that trees have to be grown in conjunction with agricultural crops on private farm lands. The main objectives of the study pertain to prepare the land suitability classification in Punjab especially the District of Rahim Yar Khan along with the identification of the agroecological zones of province. The area was surveyed according to its total extent, component soils series and their proportion, spotting characteristics of each soil series, their major limitations/hazards for tree plantation and suitability for specific tree species were identified and tree species were recommended according to soil characteristic, then land suitability map of choice of trees species was prepared by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and marked the area according to the soil types and species. This classification would help the agroforester and all those interested in planting on their farm lands in matching suitable species of trees for different soils in the Punjab. The resources available to the agroforester would be used properly and diligently without wastage of the time and money. It would help him in identifying the land management alternatives and he shall evaluate the land uses for a meaningful assessment.