Geographic Information System Framework Research Articles

Assessment of building vulnerability by integrating rapid visual screening and geographic information system: A case study of Ranau township

The earthquake may cause many deaths and injuries and extensive property damage and dramatically change the geographic structure of the impacted area. Vulnerability in the context of building structure can be defined as inability to resist the earthquake loadings and unfortunately the majority of existing buildings in Ranau Township were built consequently without seismic consideration. The rapid development had increased the probability of building damages due to the earthquake activities that appeared around the area since. This study aims to identify, evaluate buildings and calculated vulnerability using the Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) method through the framework of Geographic Information System (GIS). The results of this study revealed that from 245 buildings, the damage level for 21 buildings were in grade 3, 11 buildings under grade 2 and other buildings in grade 1 i.e. heavy, moderate and little damages, respectively. After knowing the vulnerability level of buildings, the developer may do an early prevention to avoid further damages due to earthquakes in the future. This method can be used in moderate seismicity region such as Sabah as an early detection for building vulnerabilities.

Evolutionary hotspots in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin

Geographic areas that contain high genetic divergence among populations may be regions of evolutionary potential and conservation importance. Following the methods for mapping patterns of genetic divergence and diversity in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework, we combined genetic landscapes across nineteen co-distributed species in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin (MLYRB) to identify important regions of evolutionary potential and assess whether these hotspots have high conservation importance. Diversity hotspots were mainly distributed in the Tai Lake sub-basin of the MLYRB. Several areas of high genetic divergence were located in the Dongting Lake, Hanshui and other lower mainstream sub-basins. Additionally, two areas of low divergence (coolspots) were identified in the lower mainstream sub-basin. In total, our results identified 14 evolutionary hotspots in the MLYRB. Our study provides a first assessment of the diversity and divergence patterns across a wide variety of species in the habitats of the MLYRB and, therefore, a working hypothesis for determining geographical areas of high evolutionary potential and conservation importance in the MLYRB.

GIS Framework for Spatiotemporal Mapping of Urban Flooding

This research aims to develop a framework using the Geographic Information System (GIS) to perform modeling and mapping of flood spatiotemporal variation in urban micro-watersheds. The GIS-framework includes a workflow of several methods and processes including delineation of urban watershed, generation of runoff hydrographs, and time series mapping of inundation depths and flood extent. This framework is tested in areas previously known to have experienced flooding at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas main campus, including Black Parking Lot (Blacklot) and East Mall. Calibration is performed by varying Digital Elevation Model (DEM) resolution, rainfall temporal resolution, and clogging factor whereas validation is performed using flood information from news reports and photographs. The testing at the Blacklot site resulted in calibration at 5 m DEM resolution and clogging factor of 0.83. The flood model resulted in an error of 24% between the estimated (26 inches/66 cm) and actual (34 inches/86.36 cm) flood depths. The estimated flood extents are consistent with the reported conditions and observed watermarks in the area. The flood beginning time estimated from the model is also consistent with the news reports. The testing at East Mall site also shows consistent results. The GIS framework provides spatiotemporal maps of flood inundation for visualization of flood dynamics. This research provides insight into flood modeling and mapping for a storm drain inlet-based watershed.

Spatio-temporal potential of a biogenic micro CHP swarm in Switzerland

Renewable electricity production from intermittent energy sources, such as wind and photovoltaic, is rapidly increasing worldwide. The Swiss Energy Strategy aims at generating roughly one-third of the current electricity demand through intermittent renewables by 2050. This raises the need for flexible on-demand power production capabilities to balance the fluctuating generation. Next to batteries or pumped-storage hydroelectricity, decentralized gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plants have fast ramp-up times and can thus be used to balance the fluctuating production. Using biogas as fuel for the CHP plants minimizes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, biomass is subject to spatio-temporal variation that can limit the available fuel. In this work, a framework of geographic information system (GIS)-based models to assess the spatio-temporal potential of domestic biogas to balance fluctuating renewable energy production is proposed. Using this framework, the spatio-temporal biogas that can be fed into the gas grid is modeled to be 18.4PJ. By comparing this potential with the spatio-temporal residential heat demand and rooftop PV potential, we identify the spatio-temporal balancing potential of decentralized CHP plants in Switzerland. It is found that the balancing potential varies between districts and over the course of a year. During summer, the potential is limited due to lack of local heat demand.

Using GIS to predict habitat in lakes: An example using nearshore substrate categories

AbstractHabitat is an integral component of lake ecosystems and threatened by anthropogenic alterations. Quantifying habitat is typically done with labor intensive and spatially limited surveys (i.e., transects) or with surveys requiring specialized field equipment combined with computer analyses (i.e., sonar). These approaches are limited to inventorying habitat condition and do not directly describe processes that influence habitat distributions. We developed a framework that utilizes geographic information systems (GIS) to answer habitat‐based questions and allows for an understanding of the factors that influence its distribution. This framework uses GIS‐derived data to describe factors input as predictive variables. We tested this framework by predicting nearshore substrate composition in Minnesota lakes. Substrate composition was measured during the summers of 2014–2016 along transects in 28 lakes across Minnesota. Composition was then grouped into three size categories (muck, sandy gravel, and coarse). For each transect, we obtained GIS‐derived data describing exposure (fetch), riparian height, maximum depth, wind power, and bathymetric aspect to use as predictor variables in a classification tree model. We randomly selected 15% of transects to validate the model. Using repeated sampling with replacement, we determined this model predicted substrate composition with 62.0–71.0% accuracy. We then used data from all study lakes and examples from Belle Lake, Minnesota, to determine sources of error. Our results demonstrate that a GIS framework can describe both the distribution of a habitat component and the factors structuring it. This framework can enhance communication effectiveness and decision‐making processes regarding habitat protection, management, and restoration.

Extraction and accuracy assessment of DTMs derived from remotely sensed and field surveying approaches in GIS framework

Generating a high precision continuous surface is a key capability required in most geographic information system (GIS) applications. In fact the most commonly used surface type is a digital elevation model (DEM). Recently, there are some sources of remote sensing data that provide DEM information such as; LiDAR, InSAR and ASTER GDEM which ranged from very high to low spatial resolution. However, new methods of topographic field surveying still highly on demand e.g. Differential GPS and Total station devices. In both method of capturing the terrain elevation the post processing need to be applied to create a continuous surface from point clouds. Geostatistical analysis were used to interpolate the taken sample points from site into continuous surface. In current research, we examined the height accuracy of LiDAR point clouds and total station dataset with three non-adoptive interpolation models including, invers distance weightage (IDW), nearest neighbour (NN) and radial basis function (RBF) based on referenced DGPS points. RMSE and R square regression analysis were conducted to reveal the most accurate approaches in pilot study area. The results showed Lidar surveying (less than 0.5 meter RMSE) has higher height accuracy compared to Total station surveying (above 1 meter in RMSE) to extract DTM in flat area; while consumed less computational processing time. Moreover, IDW was the best and accurate interpolation model in both datasets to generate raster cautious terrain model.

Using an Open GIS Framework and Epidemiological Intelligence for Dengue Surveillance

Objective: In this paper we designed one cross-platform surveillance system to assist dengue fever surveillance, outbreak investigation and risk management of dengue fever.Introduction:In the 2015 dengue outbreak in Taiwan, 43,784 people were infected and 228 died, making it the nation’s largest outbreak ever. Facing the increasing threat of dengue, the integration of health information for prevention and control of outbreaks becomes very important. Based on past epidemics, the areas with higher incidence of dengue fever are located in southern Taiwan. Without a smart and integrated surveillance system, the information on case distribution, high risk areas, mosquito surveillance, flooding areas and so on is fragmented. The first-line public health workers need to check all this information through different systems manually. When outbreaks occurred, paper-based outbreak investigation forms had to be prepared and filled in by public health workers. Then, they needed to enter part of this information into Taiwan CDC’s system. Duplicated work occurred and cost lots of labor time during the epidemic period. Therefore, we choose one rural county, Pingtung County, with scarce financial resources, to set up a new dengue surveillance system.Methods: We designed a web-based cross-platform system based on an open geographical information system (GIS) framework including Openlayers, Javascript, PHP, MySQL and open data from government open data in Taiwan. There were seven epidemiological intelligence functions within the system including risk management, outbreak investigation, planning controlled areas, intelligent detection of high-risk areas, useful tools for decision making, historical epidemics, and system management. The website was developed by responsive web design which can let public health workers check information and fill in the investigation form by any devices.Results: The system was promptly set up in June 2016. With first-line public health workers’ efforts and the help of the surveillance system, there were no indigenous dengue fever cases after the system was implemented. There were sporadic imported cases from south-east Asia. The dengue surveillance system achieved three major improvements: integration of all decision support information; digitalization and automation of outbreak investigation; and planning the control areas. The results on outbreak investigation and mosquito surveillance can directly transfer to Taiwan CDC’s database by Web Application Programming Interface (API). It can avoid duplicated work for disease surveillance.Conclusions: Through introducing the new dengue surveillance system into local health departments, first-line public health workers can update all epidemic information at the same time. During epidemic periods, it can provide demographic, epidemiological, environmental, and entomological information for decision making. During non-epidemic periods, it can highlight the high risk areas for enhanced surveillance to reduce the risk of outbreaks.

Soil erosion risk assessment of hilly terrain through integrated approach of RUSLE and geospatial technology: a case study of Tirap District, Arunachal Pradesh

Present study was carried out in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh characterized by mountainous terrain coupled with torrential rainfall. Forests and agriculture land cover are exposed to varied level of anthropogenic and deforestation activities. All these have augmented into pronounced soil erosion thereby negatively impacting the socio-economy of the rural population. Topographic, management, soil and landuse factors were among the most important drivers influencing the soil erosion. Keeping above in account, present study emphasizes the applicability of geospatial technology coupled with field data to estimate soil erosion rate which could be helpful in developing suitable management plan. Numerous empirical models are available for estimating soil erosion; however, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) integrated with geographic information system framework was applied in the current study due to its robustness and simplicity. RUSLE factors such as erosivity of rainfall (RE), erodibility of soil (ES), slope length (LS), crop management (CM) and conservation practice (CP) were calculated using available data. Rainfall erosivity factor was 323.8 MJ mm/ha/h/year. ES factor ranged from 0.16 to 0.28 Mg h/MJ/mm and LS factor ranges between 0 and 44.62. NDVI derived crop management factor ranges between 0 and 1.7. Conservation practice factor values ranged from 0.004 to 1. The annual soil loss was modeled using different factors of RULSE model and soil loss was predicted (1.38–59.05 ton per hectare). Keeping threshold value of soil erosion (< 10 ton per hectare) in account, most part of the study area is suitable for agriculture practices however, emphasis on suitable soil and water conservation measures are perquisite for sustainable environment management.

Modeling Urban Hydrology and Green Infrastructure Using the AGWA Urban Tool and the KINEROS2 Model.

Urban hydrology and green infrastructure (GI) can be modeled using the Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA) Urban tool and the Kinematic Runoff and Erosion (KINEROS2) model. The KINEROS2 model provides an urban modeling element with nine overland flow components that can be used to represent various land cover types commonly found in the built environment while treating runoff-runon and infiltration processes in a physically based manner. The AGWA Urban tool utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework to prepare parameters required for KINEROS2, executes the model, and imports results for visualization in the GIS. The AGWA Urban tool was validated on a residential subdivision in Arizona, USA, using 47 rainfall events (June 2005 to September 2006) to compare observed runoff volumes and peak flow rates with simulated results. Comparison of simulated and observed runoff volumes resulted in a slope of 1.00 for the regression equation with an R2 value of 0.80. Comparison of observed and simulated peak flows had a slope of 1.12 with an R2 value of 0.83. A roof runoff analysis was simulated for 787 events, from January 2006 through December 2015, to analyze the water availability from roof runoff capture. Simulation results indicated a 15% capture of the average monthly rainfall volume on the watershed. Additionally, rainwater captured from roofs has the potential to provide for up to 70% of the domestic annual per capita water use in this region. Five different scenarios (S1 - base, S2 - with retention basins, S3 - with permeable driveways, S4 - with rainwater harvesting cisterns, and S5 - all GI practices from S2, S3, and S4) were simulated over the same period to compare the effectiveness of GI implementation at the parcel level on runoff and peak flows at the watershed outlet. Simulation results indicate a higher runoff volume reduction for S2 (53.41 m3 average capacity, average 30% reduction) as compared to S3 (average 14% reduction), or S4 (3.78 m3 capacity, average 6% reduction). Analysis of peak flows reveal larger peak flow reduction for S2. S3 showed more reduction of smaller peak flows as compared to S4.

Spatial Analysis Applied for Gas Theft Modelling in Tabriz City, Iran

Unauthorized use of energy is the major source of the non-technical losses of the energy in developing countries. Gas theft as a kind of energy theft is an increasing issue in a number of countries particularly in developing countries. This study is an attempt to address the issue of gas theft through the deployment of Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities (Spatial Analysis) to import external factors into the current gas theft detection methods, improve data mining processes, and offer some management solutions. To achieve the intended goals in the study, two types of data sources were collected and analyzed: internal data such as reported instances of gas theft, and some customer properties, and external data such as some demographic data. In order to analyze and modeling the gas theft and the relationships between variables we used Hotspot analysis, Ordinary Least Squares regression (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) analysis with ArcGIS tools. The results from clustering test indicated that the gas theft is not a random phenomenon in all areas of Tabriz and there are underlying factors. Mapping clusters by the hotspot techniques suggested the locations of clusters and areas at risk. The results of the regression analysis illustrated the importance of external factors clearly. According to the results, we recommend a conceptual GIS framework to select high risk areas as a subset data for a meter data analysis. Results of this research are of great importance for GIS based spatial analysis and can be used as base of future researches.

A Multi-Objective Artificial Bee Colony-based optimization approach to design water quality monitoring networks in river basins

Water quality monitoring is important for the management of freshwater resources in river basins. Allocation of monitoring stations is the first step in the design of a water quality network. For this task, planning objectives are identified and a Multi-Objective Artificial Bee Colony-based optimization algorithm is designed and implemented in a Geographic Information System framework. Specifically, the number of stations is minimized in a range of values at the same time that the detection of lower compliance areas, the affected population and the relative importance of the river stretches are maximized. The estimation of pollutant parameters such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Faecal Coliform Bacteria or Total Dissolved Solids is performed by using the WorldQual model. This allows to objectively allocate monitoring stations to rivers where no real measurements are available, and thus it is especially relevant to allocate water quality stations for the first time. This approach has been tested on the Great Fish River basin (South Africa), finding networks improving the values of the objective functions between 22.22% and 47.83% with respect to the ones of the current network. Moreover, the solution analysis provides insightful and valuable information to the decision maker.

Assessing the public transport service to urban parks on the basis of spatial accessibility for citizens in the compact megacity of Shanghai, China

Urban parks and public transport are indispensable elements of a compact megacity for their environmental and social values. However, few measures of urban park accessibility have considered the public transport travel mode. Based on the framework of geographic information systems (GIS) network analysis, this study proposes an innovative method to incorporate public transport travel mode into urban park accessibility evaluations. Taking Shanghai, China, as the study area, we measured home to park and park from home travel times on multi-modal transport networks, calculated the accessibilities by multiple equations, and compared accessibilities for different districts. These methods extend current accessibility measures by calculating accessibility at a realistic level, and provide a measure of public transport service for urban parks. The results for Shanghai show that approximately 99.95% of home to park routes might include public transport. The distribution of home to park public transport accessibility of the city was uneven. The patches with best accessibility tend to be distributed in the built-up area in the city centre. Public transport access to urban parks is inhomogeneous for different districts, because of urban park locations, road network characteristics, and uneven public transport supply. The distribution of park from home public transport accessibility has no significant correlation with district development stage. Public transport service in Shanghai takes no account of the factors of park star rating or size. Positive actions are required to improve the equity of public transport access to the important public health resources of urban parks.

Mapping of groundwater prospective zones integrating remote sensing, geographic information systems and geophysical techniques in El-Qaà Plain area, Egypt

The geospatial mapping of groundwater prospective zones is essential to support the needs of local inhabitants and agricultural activities in arid regions such as El-Qaa area, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. The study aims to locate new wells that can serve to cope with water scarcity. The integration of remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and geophysical techniques is a breakthrough for groundwater prospecting. Based on these techniques, several factors contributing to groundwater potential in El-Qaa Plain were determined. Geophysical data were supported by information derived from a digital elevation model, and from geologic, geomorphologic and hydrologic data, to reveal the promising sites. All the spatial data that represent the contributing factors were integrated and analyzed in a GIS framework to develop a groundwater prospective model. An appropriate weightage was specified to each factor based on its relative contribution towards groundwater potential, and the resulting map delineates the study area into five classes, from very poor to very good potential. The very good potential zones are located in the Quaternary deposits, with flat to gentle topography, dense lineaments and structurally controlled drainage channels. The groundwater potential map was tested against the distribution of groundwater wells and cultivated land. The integrated methodology provides a powerful tool to design a suitable groundwater management plan in arid regions.

Development of a GIS-based integrated framework for coastal seiches monitoring and forecasting: A North Jiangsu shoal case study

Coastal seiches have become an increasingly important issue in coastal science and present many challenges, particularly when attempting to provide warning services. This paper presents the methodologies, techniques and integrated services adopted for the design and implementation of a Seiches Monitoring and Forecasting Integration Framework (SMAF-IF). The SMAF-IF is an integrated system with different types of sensors and numerical models and incorporates the Geographic Information System (GIS) and web techniques, which focuses on coastal seiche events detection and early warning in the North Jiangsu shoal, China. The in situ sensors perform automatic and continuous monitoring of the marine environment status and the numerical models provide the meteorological and physical oceanographic parameter estimates. A model outputs processing software was developed in C# language using ArcGIS Engine functions, which provides the capabilities of automatically generating visualization maps and warning information. Leveraging the ArcGIS Flex API and ASP.NET web services, a web based GIS framework was designed to facilitate quasi real-time data access, interactive visualization and analysis, and provision of early warning services for end users. The integrated framework proposed in this study enables decision-makers and the publics to quickly response to emergency coastal seiche events and allows an easy adaptation to other regional and scientific domains related to real-time monitoring and forecasting.

Assessment of Groundwater Vulnerability in Kaduna Metropolis, Northwest Nigeria

DRASTIC index model was employed in the assessment of the intrinsic groundwater vulnerability to contamination in Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria. The model evaluates the contribution of seven environmental parameters (Depth to water level, Net Recharge, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topography, Impact of vadose zone, and Hydraulic Conductivity) in the protection of groundwater against contamination. The mapping was conducted within the framework of Geographical Information System. The study area has very low, low to slightly moderate vulnerability with highest and lowest DRASTIC values of 131 and 77 respectively. To have better understanding of the spatial vulnerability of groundwater in the area, the DRASTIC map was reclassified into five (very high, high, moderate, low and very low) vulnerability zones. Generally, the distribution of the vulnerability classes indicated the low to moderate vulnerability status of the majority parts of the study area, with high vulnerability at the center. Strict control measures should be put in place when locating land uses with high potential hazards in the high and very high vulnerability areas.

The Expansion of Densely Inhabited Districts in a Megacity - Case of Tokyo

Understanding the patterns of human concentrations within megacities is of fundamental importance to our understanding of megacity dynamics, and for megacity management and policy making. This study presents an updated investigation of the historical expansion of densely inhabited districts (DIDs) in the world's largest megacity, Tokyo. Long-term DID data (1960-2010) at 5- year intervals were analyzed in a geographic information systems framework. Results show that Tokyo completed rapid growth phase and is now in a maturity phase with minimal growth. Extension was the main form of expansion, although fragmented growth in the form of patches was also noted. The rate of DID expansion was strongly related to economic trends. However the direction and shape of expansion was influenced much by geographic and policy related factors. West and southern directions had earlier and greater expansion, likely related to the historical Tōkaidō corridor. Over 95% of all DIDs are located within 4km distance from a railway line. The coastline and distance from the CBD had some modifying influence. During the course of expansion, there was substantial decrease of population density in the inner wards. Future trends in Tokyo's DIDs will be greatly influenced by aging demographic trends. This study therefore shows that megacity spatial expansion is a dynamic process influenced by various processes whose roles vary over time.

Analyzing riparian zone ecosystem services bundles to instruct river management

ABSTRACTThe ecosystem service framework is now well accepted for focussing management strategies to preserve and restore ecosystems. Its implementation remains challenging, however, due to the environment’s complexity and dynamics that interfere with ecosystems’ ability to provide the services. Here, we question whether we can show where and how to intervene in riparian corridors to restore specific ecosystem services without endangering others. Specific hypotheses in this context are for the spatial aggregation of ecosystem services delivered by riparian corridors with respect to naturalness (1), to the existence of bundles of ecosystem services (2), and finally for the scale sensitivity of this congruence (3). Within a Geographical Information System framework, we analyse the capacity of riparian corridors to provide ecosystem services over three river basins in the Bresse region (France) based on high-resolution data of the riparian corridor hydromorphology and land use. Specifically, we compare the capacity to provide two services: in-stream water purification and riparian retention of nutrients that are critical goals for river management and rehabilitation strategies. We observe little spatial association and high spatial variability for the two emphasized ecosystem services. Surprisingly, no congruence of ecosystem services with riparian corridor naturalness is present. The absence of associations between ecosystem services and their spatial variability will oblige environmental managers to identify underpinning environmental processes and patterns at local scales. In conclusion, we plead for fine-grained multifunctional assessment of ecosystems’ capacity to deliver services, especially in environments such as river corridors that exhibit high environmental heterogeneity.EDITED BY Neville Crossman

Soil Loss Vulnerability Assessment in the Mekong River Basin

The Mekong River plays an extremely important role in Southeast Asia. Flowing through six countries, including China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos PDR, Cambodia, and Vietnam, it is a site of great biological and ecological diversity and the habitat of numerous species of fish. It also supports a very large population that lives along the river basin. Therefore, much attention has been focused on the giant Mekong River Basin, particularly, its soil erosion and sedimentation problems. In fact, many methods have been used to calculate and simulate these problems. However, in the case of the Mekong River Basin, the available data is limited because of the extreme size of the area (about 795,000 ㎢) and lack of equipment systems in the countries through which the Mekong River flows. In this study, we applied the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model in a GIS (Geographic Information System) framework to calculate the amount of soil erosion and sediment load during the selected period, from 1951 to 2007. The result points out dangerous areas, such as the Upper Mekong River Basin and 3S Basin (containing the Sekong, Sesan, and Srepok Rivers) that are suffering the serious consequences of soil erosion problems. Moreover, the present model is also useful for supporting river basin management in the implementation of sustainable management practices in the Mekong River Basin and other basins.

Using Geotechnology to Estimate Annual Soil Loss Rate in the Brazilian Cerrado

Soil erosion is a serious environmental problem that has adversely affected the world’s food production through the reduction of land productivity and water availability. The present study estimated annual soil loss rate and its spatial distribution in the most important Brazil’s agricultural region, the Brazilian Cerrado, using Revised Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model into Geographic Information System (GIS) framework. For this purpose, the soil erosion annual rate was determined in function of RUSLE model factors: rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), topography (LS), crop management (C) and supporting conservation practice (P). All factors were obtained from literature. They were processed and integrated into a GIS, resulting in a map of annual soil loss rate. The methodology applied showed acceptable precision and it was possible to identify the most susceptible areas to water erosion. The average estimated rate of soil loss for the entire Cerrado was 12.8 t•ha−1•yr−1. Large part of the Cerrado is under low soil loss zone corresponding to 79.91% of total surface area, while 15.70%, 3.74%, and 0.66% are under moderate, high, and very high, respectively. The average estimated rate of soil loss in areas used for silviculture was 52.1 t•ha−1•yr−1. In semi-perennial, perennial, and annual crops cultivation were 29.3, 23.9, and 9.8 t•ha−1•yr−1, respectively, while in the pasture was 13.3 t•ha−1•yr−1. Except for annual crops, all farm and silviculture areas showed average soil loss ranging from moderate to high rate. These results suggest that the implementation of more effective management techniques and conservation practices are necessary for the Cerrado to maintain and to improve land productivity by ensuring national and international food demands.

Desertification Vulnerability Assessment Model for a Resource Rich Region: A Case Study of Bellary District, Karnataka, India

Desertification is a global challenge being experienced across countries irrespective of their levels of development. Desertification is a complex negative process involving both natural and human components in terms of their socio-economic attainments. Hence, for identification and assessment of the process, pattern, magnitude and possible impacts of desertification, a multi-disciplinary approach with inter-disciplinary framework of analysis is essential. This study has made such an attempt to develop a comprehensive desertification vulnerability assessment Model on the basis of multi-variate Principal Component Analysis along with the Geographic Information System framework by using natural and socio-economic resources data inputs from census, satellite data and other sources. Bellary district, located in a rapidly growing southern state of India, Karnataka which is afflicted with various natural and development issues such as droughts, backwardness, haphazard mining, over irrigation, and associated effects of land degradation, siltation and water pollution has been chosen for the study. The inter-disciplinary framework based desertification vulnerability assessment model has assessed that 1379.198 km2 area (15.55%) of Bellary district is prone to desertification (based on the satellite data IRS LISS III data of Dec 2005, Feb 2006, March 2006 and April 2006). In addition, 3229.337 km2 (36.40%) is under moderate vulnerability which is fragile. Hence, unless proper development intervention and conservation measures are taken well in advance, almost more than half of Bellary district (51.95%) will be vulnerable to desertification. Spatially, the talukas that are seriously affected and that require development intervention on high priority are: Sandur, Kudligi, Hospet and Bellary which are the prime talukas of the district.