Use of geotechnologies for aquaculture site selection: suitability factors and constraints for production in ground-excavated ponds

ABSTRACT Remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) have been used to guide the selection of suitable areas for aquaculture. This systematic review synthesizes the key suitability factors and constraints reported in the literature for establishing inland pond aquaculture. We searched for primary studies on Scopus and Web of Science according to preferred reporting items for systemic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Between 1991 and 2020, 354 articles were published in 104 academic journals. The maximum annual number of publications occurred in 2020, with 22 publications, and there is an increasing trend in studies published over the past 30 years. From 12 selected studies, we identified 48 suitability factors, 11 related to soil suitability, 19 to socioeconomic and infrastructure suitability, and 18 to water quality and availability. The most frequently used suitability factors were road proximity, local market center distance, soil texture, soil slope, and water temperature. We listed 15 constraints that restrict or limit the selection of specific geographic locations for inland aquaculture. Urbanized areas, roads, and forests were the most frequently restricted areas. Geotechnologies provide powerful tools for spatial planning and management of aquaculture. Availability, quality, and access to spatial data are critical for the use of geotechnologies in the process of aquaculture site selection.