Soil Properties as a Basis for Site Selection Criteria for Intensive Shrimp Farming in Maros, Indonesia.
Shrimp farming is a rapidly expanding industry, especially in Southeast Asian coastal communities.
The west coast of South Sulawesi, Indonesia has been extensively developed in recent years to meet global shrimp demand. Pond conversion of rice fields and mangroves is often rapid and unplanned with no consideration given to soil quality, water source, vegetation, topography, accessibility, and pond distribution. Consequently, many have proven unsuccessful, and are thus abandoned. Site suitability is the most important factor for sustainable shrimp production. This study focuses on the physico-chemical soil characteristics affecting aggregate stability, providing recommendations for the establishment of site suitability criteria for new intensive shrimp operations in Maros, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.