Kernel density analysis of parcel size and shapes before and after land consolidation: A case study from Asağısümenli village in Malatya, Turkey

Abstract

Land consolidation (LC) projects are a set of applications that improve the economics of enterprises by assembling fragmented, dispersed, and irregular parcels. As the parcel densities coalesce around the village centre, the operation becomes easier, and fuel costs are reduced. Besides, the size of the parcel is one of the most important factors that increase the income of the enterprises, as well as the plant pattern, agricultural production form, soil quality, talents, labour force and technology features. The aim of the current study conducted within Asagisumenli LC project in Malatya, Turkey, was to assess the density of small parcels around the village centre by using kernel density analysis as one of the geospatial analyses and to investigate the spatial distribution of irregular parcels with shape index. To identify the smallest parcels spatial distribution, 50%, 75% and 90% bandwidths were determined. Before LC, the average parcel area within 50%, 75% and 90% bandwidth was 0.69, 0.93 and 1.07 ha; after LC was 0.89, 1.45 and 1.63 ha, respectively. The area averages of parcels between 50% and 75% bandwidths before LC were 1.79 between 75% and 90% bandwidths and 4.77 ha out of 90% bandwidth; after LC, 1.60, 2.47 and 3.13 ha, respectively. As a result, the small parcels after LC were more concentrated around the village centre than before LC. Moreover, it can be said that the density of the small rectangular shaped parcels around the centre of the village is a positive result in terms of reducing the operation cost.