Table 1 The classification criteria for the selection of aquaculture potential suitable site in the Lake Tana basin

Socio-economics sub-model suitability

 Population density (per km²)

150–300

25–250

1–25

< 1 and > 300

[10, 39]

 Consumption behavior (per capita fish consumption-g/year)

> 1000

500–1000

200–500

< 200

Based on local practice

 Production experience (# of fishers/district)

> 600

300–600

100–300

< 100

Based on local practice

 Market center distance (km)

< 5

5–10

10–15

> 15

Expert judgment

 Road density (km/km²)

≥ 0.36

0.20–0.35

0.04–0.19

< 0.04

[22]

 Road proximity (km)

< 5

5–10

10–15

> 15

Expert judgment

Input suitability sub-model

 Total amount of livestock manure (in 1000 tons)

> 100

30–100

2–30

< 2

[10]

 Crop land tonnage/km²

80–100

50–79

20–49

< 20

[40]

 Land use-land cover

Woodlands, shrub lands and grasslands

–

Dense agricultural high lands

Large natural forest, and rocky barren

[23]

Water availability sub-model

 Annual rainfall (mm)

> 1199

1000–1199

700–999

< 700

[22]

 Perennial river density (per district) (km/km²)

≥ 0.36

0.2–0.35

0.04–0.20

< 0.04

[22]

 Proximity to perennial river (km)

< 1

1–2.5

2.5–3.5

> 3.5

Expert opinion

 Proximity lake and reservoirs (km)

< 1

1–2.5

2.5–3.5

> 3.5

Expert opinion

Water quality sub-model

 pH

6.0–8.0

5.0–6.0

4.0–5.0

< 4.0

[41]

 DO (mg/l)

5.0–10.0

4.0–5.0

3.0–4.0

< 3.0

[41]

 Temperature (°C)

25–32

22–25

18–22

0–18

[41]

Soil suitability sub-model

 Soil texture (%)

> 80

50–80

20–50

0–20

[42]

 Slope (%)

0–2

2–5

5–8

> 8

[42]

 Soil pH

6.5–8.5

5.5–6.5

4.0–5.5

1.0–4.0

[42]

Urban markets and proximity sub-model (commercial farming)

 Urban market population (in 1000)

> 1000

250–1000

50–250

< 50

[10]

 Proximity to district capitals (km)

0–165

165–330

330–499

> 500

[43]