Raster Data-Site Selection

ESRI virtual campus training-Using Raster Data for site selection:

Certificate for completing the ESRI virtual campus training, Raster Data for site selection

Problem:

I performed three different types of site selection analysis using Arc GIS spatial analysis tools. I downloaded the data from ESRI website. I have Arc GIS 10.4. to perform the analysis procedure.Site selection or suitability analysis are the basis for finding geographic area (raster cells  or vector) that are most suitable.

There are three main methods of performing site selection analysis using Arc GIS.

Binary site selection suitability analysis is based on a standard binary principle: 1 for suitable and 0 for unsuitable. Weighted site selection allows me to rank raster cells and assign a relative importance to each layer in the analysis. Fuzzy Logic assigns membership values to locations. Values range from 0 to 1 where 0 indicates non- membership and 1 indicates full membership or fully suitable. This is possibility analysis.

Problem-Suppose I need to search Bald eagle habitat in Santiago, California.

Analysis Procedure:

There is a workflow in Fuzzy logic

1.Define the problem and criteria, 2. Collect criteria layers,3. Assign fuzzy membership, 4. Perform fuzzy overlay, 5. Verify and apply results

I need to search Bald Eagle habitat in Sandiego, California. I have used Arc GIS spatial Analyst Fuzzy logic tools to model bald eagle habitats near big Bear Lake in San Bernardino National forest. Birds does not make nest based on logic or polygon boundaries on a map, they make decision to build their nests based on their natural instinct. That’s why there is no distinct boundary of their habitat. Fuzzy logic tools help quantify this uncertainty.

The criteria is that Bald Eagles prefer to be close to water, far from roads and cities and 40 percent to 70 percent tree coverage, but there is an element of uncertainty in this analysis because predicting animal behavior is imprecise. Fuzzy membership values range from 0 and 1 where 0 indicates non-membership or not suitable and 1 indicates membership or suitable. I used Fuzzy membership tool and input raster named distance to water Again Fuzzy membership tool has been used and input Distance to human disturbances raster.

After running the tool, Fuzzy tree cover layer has been symbolized. In order to intersect the two layers like Fuzzy Human Disturbance and Fuzzy Water District rasters, Fuzzy Overlay tool has been used. In order to intersect the two layers like Fuzzy Over Dist layer and Fuzzy Tree Cover layer, Fuzzy Overlay tool has been used. Therefore, after running the tool I can see that bald eagle tend to nest where human disturbances increase defining fuzzy membership of 1 and bald eagle tends not to make nest where human disturbances decreases defining fuzzy membership of 1.

                                   Workflow Diagram

Results:

Fuzzy Final layer-Green areas are suitable for habitats of Bald Eagle.

Application and Reflection:

GIS analysis not only has the capability to locate things on earth, but also has the capability to locate future site selection or the existing site for some species on earth or suitable site to grow a particular fruit, vegetables or crop, e.g. Future site for a new store, shopping mall, landfill, housing complex, a habitat for certain species, etc.If I need to analyze phenomena that do not have distinct boundaries like landslides or plant or animal habitat, fuzzy logic assign membership is the best way to define the site location.

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