GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation to identify potential sites for soil and water conservation techniques in the Ronquillo watershed, northern Peru

• The suitability of soil and water conservation techniques (SWCTs) is assessed.
• A GIS-based multi-criteria-evaluation (MCE) is applied for suitability modeling.
• 24% of the catchment area of the Ronquillo River is highly suited for bund systems.
• 44% of the catchment area is highly suited for the implementation of terraces.
• GIS-based MCE is a new approach in the promotion of SWCTs in Peru.

This study presents a method to identify and rank potential sites for soil and water conservation techniques. The method takes into account environmental site assessment criteria and a decision-making method known as the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Spatial data is processed by applying a geographic information system and potential sites are ranked by a multi-criteria evaluation based on meteorologic, hydrologic, topographic, agronomic and pedologic criteria. The method is applied to identify potential sites for terraces and bund systems in the Ronquillo watershed, located in the northern Andes of Peru. The analysis indicates that 44% of the catchment area of the Ronquillo River is highly suited for the implementation of terraces, and 24% of the catchment area is highly suited for the implementation of bund systems. The preliminary identification of potential sites for soil and water conservation techniques may be a useful tool in the execution of resource conservation programs.