lecture 10geog2590 - gis for physical geography1 outline: – introduction – principles and theory...

Lecture 10 GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography

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Outline:– Introduction– Principles and theory– Examples– Online SDSS

Lecture 10.Lecture 10.Spatial Decision Spatial Decision Support Systems Support Systems

(SDSS)(SDSS)


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IntroductionIntroduction• The ultimate application? OR... is this

where the previous 9 lectures have been leading?

• Use of GIS for environmental applications includes:1. data management2. characterisation and assessment3. modelling and spatial analysis4. management and decision support

• Applications 1 thru 3 culminate in 4... the end use?


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Application or decision Application or decision support?support?

• An application may end at any point– CORINE, GRID, GEMS, etc. end at 1– descriptive/mapping exercise and EA may

end at 2– predictive modelling exercise may end at 3– BUT they must all start at 1 and work through

these stages in sequence

• The ultimate end application must be decision making (i.e. management) and use in support of decisions made


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Aims of EnvSciAims of EnvSci• Aims of environmental science:

– to accumulate knowledge pertaining to the environment?

– to understand environmental processes and linkages?

• Objectives of environmental science:– gather data pertaining to environmental

phenomena and processes via empirical investigation?

– to develop theories encompassing environmental themes?

– i.e. to gain understanding and insight through study


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Aims of EnvManAims of EnvMan• Aims of environmental management:

– to prevent environmental deterioration and degradation?

– to promote sustainable use of the environment?– to prevent over use or exploitation of natural

resources?– to preserve environmental diversity?

• Objectives of environmental management:– to control the environment and/or our

influences upon the environment via direct or indirect action?

– i.e. putting environmental science to work!


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Decision making or Decision making or support?support?

• Decision making vs decision support– GIS can provide certain tools for assisting in

the decision making process i.e.maps/displays as means of visualising the

problemoverlays as means of defining relationshipsmodelling as means of predicting outcomesetc


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……the answerthe answer

• GIS functions on their own are NOT decision making tools...– (i.e. they only ASSIST in the decision

making process)– ...therefore, GIS is not a decision

making tool, it is a decision SUPPORT tool


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Decision makingDecision making

• Decision making:– a decision is a choice between

alternatives to meet specific objectives

– the alternatives may represent:different courses of actiondifferent hypothesesdifferent use of a geographical entityetc.


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Decision objectivesDecision objectives• Objectives are governed by management

goals and in turn determine the range of alternatives– e.g. identify areas of high risk in soil erosion

example in order to address the goal of preventing soil erosion

– resulting alternatives may be different maps representing different management plans

• Process governing the way decisions between alternatives are made is the “decision rule”


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Conflict!Conflict!

Making decisions to meet specific objectives often involves CONFLICT

Solving these conflicts is the art of good decision making


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Why GIS is not Why GIS is not decision decision makingmaking

• GIS is not a decision making tool kit– to make (good) decisions requires:

knowledge & foresight insight & intelligence expertise, etc.

– i.e. rational choice between alternatives (especially where conflicts are present)

– GIS does not provide the above, BUT it can fulfil important role in decision making by providing decision support


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Decision support is…Decision support is…

• Decision support:– role of aiding the decision making

process– simplest level:

expert advice regarding a decision between alternatives

– most complex level:dedicated computer systems i.e. decision support systems (DSS)


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Definition of a DSSDefinition of a DSS• In general terms, DSS are:

– computer-based systems– dedicated to a restricted but well defined area of

application– systems incorporating modelling and analysis with

data and database management systems– systems which do not make decisions, but facilitate

logistics of decision making process– interactive systems that help decision maker

systematise decision making process– providers of custom-built information– providers of user-friendly GUI with short response

times


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Developing Spatial DSSDeveloping Spatial DSS

• The role of GIS?– GIS is an INCREDIBLY USEFUL tool– GIS toolbox can be used to develop SDSS– SDSS retain the general characteristics of

basic DSS but in addition they include: spatial data input capabilities storage of complex structures common in

spatial data analytical techniques unique to spatial data cartographic output


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Basic SDSS structureBasic SDSS structure

Database

G.I.S

Models

User Interface

User: expert knowledge


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GIS as SDSS?GIS as SDSS?

• GIS fits nicely with additional requirements of a SDSS, but still does not meet the overall requirements of a DSS– GIS do not include expert knowledge – GIS do not possess artificial intelligence (AI)– GIS have only limited spatial analysis

functionality– GIS are not very user friendly– GIS are not dedicated systems


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Question…Question…

• How can we address these short-comings of GIS in developing SDSS?


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Example: nuclear waste Example: nuclear waste disposaldisposal

• Example of a facilities location exercise involving multiple and conflicting criteria– ideal example application for a SDSS from

initial site survey through to public inquiry– problem has been approached by NIREX

since 1981 and they are now on their fifth attempt

four previous failures due to poor information, poor public communication, obsession with engineering issues, etc.

why didn't they listen to me?


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Nuclear waste… the problemNuclear waste… the problem


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Nuclear waste disposal… Nuclear waste disposal… how?how?


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A GIS approach…A GIS approach…• Basic GIS/MCE site search:

– identify screening (constraint) factors and their threshold criteria and use map overlay to identify areas satisfying above constraints

– identify multiple site-based factors on which to optimise

– establish weighting scheme for factors– run MCE routine to identify optimal or near-

optimal sites– run sensitivity analyses and identify final sites– pass the buck!


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Advantages…Advantages…• Advantages of such an approach

are:– good at deterministic area screening– provides an application framework

for MCE– MCE provides GIS with spatial

analysis functionality– provides a rational and objective

approach


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Nuclear waste disposal… Nuclear waste disposal… where?where?


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Role of SDSSRole of SDSS

• SDSS may be used throughout the site selection decision making process as follows:– aiding initial decision making

process– public information, consultation and

participation– decision support at public inquiry


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Online SDSSOnline SDSS

• If public participation is goal then need to:– maximise access to data and tools– maximise scope for public

participationat all stages of planning processat all stages of decision process

• Utilise web-based GIS for SDSS


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Examples web-based Examples web-based SDSSSDSS

• Virtual Slaithwaite• WOODS• Nuclear waste siting• Wilderness mapping


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ConclusionsConclusions

• SDSS is utlimate end application of environmental GIS– development of GIS-based SDSS– online SDSS


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PracticalPractical

• Running online SDSS– Run the eMapScholar online GIS exercise– http://www.ccg.leeds.ac.uk/teaching/nucl

earwaste/– You must:

Complete the full exerciseFill in the profile formFill in the feedback form

http://www.ccg.leeds.ac.uk/teaching/nuclearwaste/e

http://www.ccg.leeds.ac.uk/teaching/nuclearwaste/e

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