ES 590: Independent Study

Multicriteria Evaluation with GIS

Specifically designed for students who were unable to complete ENVSC 306. GIS-based multicriteria evaluation (MCE) is a process where multiple factors or criteria are considered simultaneously in order to to identify the most suitable locations for a specific purpose. Examples include finding the most suitable locations to reintroduce an endangered species of animal, determining where invasive species of vegetation are most likely to spread, or deciding the best place for a wind turbine farm to generate electricity. Overarching themes include vector to raster data conversion, map algebra functions, and the steps in the MCE workflow including defining input criteria, establishing constraints, standardizing attribute values, assigning weights, overlaying and combining criteria, ranking the alternatives, and ground-truthing the results. Special emphasis will be placed on the pros/cons and applications of one or more of the following methods; Boolean, weighted linear combination, analytical hierarchy process, fuzzy logic, and ordered weighted averaging. Students are responsible for manipulating, analyzing, and communicating the results, as well as reflecting on the work and evaluating the effectiveness and limitations of the chosen approach and results achieved. Prerequisite: ENVSC 305