SWARS Spatial Analysis, The Book ( Case Example )

Since we are getting into the hands-on dirty techy stuff, we'd need an example to run on. Data provided by our partners from the PALARIS office in Palau will be used. Special thanks to PALARIS!


The Issue

The "ISSUE" for the sample analysis is defined as "protect and improve water quality". When all processes are run, the final priority map will show the important areas where forestry grograms can better help to protect and improve the water quality for Palau and its population.


The Input Layers

These are the six input layers and their weights:

1. Priority Watershed; (polygon); 25%
2. Land Cover Types; (Polygon); 25%
3. River; (Line); 15%
4. Stream (Line); 15%
5. Invasive Species*; (Point); 15%
6. Slope; (Grid); 5%

*Unlike the other five, the Invasive Species layer is not an actual dataset but created by the author to demonstrate how can a point layr be used creatively.

Not to be forgotten is an good explanation why these layers are used and used as such. So, here is my "why":

It's pretty straightforward that the Priority Watershed layer is ranked the highest for our case issue. The Land Cover layer is ranked right up there too because it provides an array of critical attributes regarding water quality. It identifies where the critical land cover types are, e.g. wetlands and forests. You can also extract wildfire risk from it. Obviously, the river and stream systems are important (these two usually are combined in one layer). The Invasive species layer reveals an significant aspect of the forest health. It is also used to demonstrate how to use a point source layer. Slope, well, at least it tells you the level of difficulty to operate.

Satisfactory? Maybe not as much as I prefer, but good enough perhaps for the purpose of demonstrating the process.


The RCV Classificationon Scheme

A RCV Scheme of 1 to 10 step by 1.


** Please note!!! The Palau case example used here is only for the purpose of going through the GIS techniques. It is NOT an actual SWARS project. Layers selection is mostly based on data availability. The Invasive Species point data is created by the author and not an actual layer!!