Geographic Information System-based Method Research Articles

Development of a Geographic Information System-Based Method to Select Areas for Simultaneous Cutting of Coniferous and Broadleaved Stands

Development of a Geographic Information System-Based Method to Select Areas for Simultaneous Cutting of Coniferous and Broadleaved Stands

The effects of the built environment on the general health, physical activity and obesity of adults in Queensland, Australia

The built environment has been identified as a key factor for health intervention and obesity prevention. However, it is still unclear to what extent the built environment is associated with obesity and general health and to what extent such an association is mediated through variation in physical activity. This study aims to examine the associations between individual characteristics, the built environment, physical activity, general health and body mass index to reveal the pathways through which the built environment is associated with the prevalence of obesity. Using data from 1,788 adults aged 18 to 65 in Queensland from Wave 16 of the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, we use geographic information system-based methods to quantify built environment factors in 5D dimensions: Density, Diversity, Design, Distance and Destination accessibility. We then employ multi-level mixed-effect models to test the hypothesised relationships between individual characteristics, the built environment, physical activity, general health and body mass index. The results indicate that physical activity is positively associated with general health and negatively associated with the prevalence of obesity. Adjusting for individual characteristics, we find that built-environment factors have direct effects on physical activity but indirect effects on general health and obesity. Among these factors, greater green space exposure plays a key role in enhancing general health and reducing obesity. Low-density and car-dependent neighbourhoods can be activity-friendly and mitigate obesity if these neighbourhoods are also equipped with easy access to green space.

Multi-Temporal Effects of Urban Forms and Functions on Urban Heat Islands Based on Local Climate Zone Classification.

Urban forms and functions have critical impacts on urban heat islands (UHIs). The concept of a “local climate zone” (LCZ) provides a standard and objective protocol for characterizing urban forms and functions, which has been used to link urban settings with UHIs. However, only a few structure types and surface cover properties are included under the same climate background or only one or two time scales are considered with a high spatial resolution. This study assesses multi-temporal land surface temperature (LST) characteristics across 18 different LCZ types in Beijing, China, from July 2017 to June 2018. A geographic information system-based method is employed to classify LCZs based on five morphological and coverage indicators derived from a city street map and Landsat images, and a spatiotemporal fusion model is adopted to generate hourly 100-m LSTs by blending Landsat, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and FengYun-2F LSTs. Then, annual and diurnal cycle parameters and heat island and cool island (HI or CI) frequency are linked to LCZs at annual, seasonal, monthly, and diurnal scales. Results indicate that: (1) the warmest zones are compact and mid and low-rise built-up areas, while the coolest zones are water and vegetated types; (2) compact and open high-rise built-up areas and vegetated types have seasonal thermal patterns but with different causes; (3) diurnal temperature ranges are the highest for compact and large low-rise settings but the lowest for water and dense or scattered trees; and (4) HIs are the most frequent summertime and daytime events, while CIs occur primarily during winter days, making them more or less frequent for open or compact and high- or low-rise built-up areas. Overall, the distinguishable LSTs or UHIs between LCZs are closely associated with the structure and coverage properties. Factors such as geolocation, climate, and layout also interfere with the thermal behavior. This study provides comprehensive information on how different urban forms and functions are related to LST variations at different time scales, which supports urban thermal regulation through urban design.

Allocation using a heterogeneous space Voronoi diagram

Spatial allocation is a fundamentally important process reflecting customer behavior, efficient service assignment, districting, etc., and is at the heart of many spatial analytical methods and processes. The Voronoi diagram has proven to be an important mathematical and geometric construct and has been widely applied in various fields because it is intuitive and efficient in the allocation and/or partitioning of space. However, existing Voronoi diagram approaches rely on the assumption that the attribute(s) of continuous space (non-generator points) is homogenous, which often is not the case for many application contexts. This paper introduces the concept of spatial heterogeneity in allocation. A new Voronoi diagram is defined—the heterogeneous Voronoi diagram. A geographic information system-based method is developed to derive the heterogeneous Voronoi diagram using discretized spatial allocation properties. Application of the heterogeneous Voronoi diagram is reported for a planning problem involving emergency drone delivery. Results show that response potential is over- and underestimated when heterogeneity and travel obstacles are disregarded. Further, feasibility, usefulness, and significance are demonstrated for incorporating geographic heterogeneity in the allocation process.

A geographic information system-based method for estimating cancer rates in non-censusdefined geographical areas.

To address locally relevant cancer-related health issues, health departments frequently need data beyond that contained in standard census area-based statistics. We describe a geographic information system-based method for calculating age-standardized cancer incidence rates in non-censusdefined geographical areas using publically available data. Aggregated records of cancer cases diagnosed from 2009 through 2013 in each of Chicago's 77 census-defined community areas were obtained from the Illinois State Cancer Registry. Areal interpolation through dasymetric mapping of census blocks was used to redistribute populations and case counts from community areas to Chicago's 50 politically defined aldermanic wards, and ward-level age-standardized 5-year cumulative incidence rates were calculated. Potential errors in redistributing populations between geographies were limited to <1.5% of the total population, and agreement between our ward population estimates and those from a frequently cited reference set of estimates was high (Pearson correlation r=0.99, mean difference=-4 persons). A map overlay of safety-net primary care clinic locations and ward-level incidence rates for advanced-staged cancers revealed potential pathways for prevention. Areal interpolation through dasymetric mapping can estimate cancer rates in non-census defined geographies. This can address gaps in local cancer-related health data, inform health resource advocacy, and guide community-centered cancer prevention and control.

Mapping sex offender activity spaces relative to crime using time-geographic methods

ABSTRACTActivity spaces describe the physical area typically encountered by an individual person during his or her routine daily activities. Activity spaces encompass a person’s anchor points – locations that are frequented regularly, such as home, work, school, and recreational areas – and the travel paths that connect them. Activity spaces of criminals are routinely mapped in order to better understand the spatial patterns and processes of crime at the individual level. Although many geographic information system-based methods have been used to map activity spaces over the years, potential path areas are becoming a preferred method since they incorporate both spatial and temporal data, as well as time budget and mobility constraints. This paper extends potential path areas for mapping activity spaces of criminals in two ways. First, time-geographic density estimation (TGDE) is used to estimate individual activity spaces using potential path areas that have associated probability densities. Second, activity spaces of numerous individuals are combined into a single intensity surface that maps areas of a city that are more frequented by offenders and, accordingly, expected to support higher crime rates. The approach is demonstrated using a dataset of home and work addresses of registered sex offenders in the city of St. Louis. The final density surface of their combined activity spaces is related to the locations of reported sex crimes. The results highlight how sex crimes are concentrated in offender activity spaces and suggest the approach might be useful for predictive policing.

Erratum

Veterinary DermatologyVolume 25, Issue 5 p. 491-491 ErratumFree Access Erratum This article corrects the following: Use of an open-source Geographic Information System-based method for topographic analysis of nodular cutaneous lesions in dogs Ernesto Pascotto, Paolo Tomè, Stefano Comazzi, Galeotti Marco, Luisa Cornegliani, Volume 25Issue 1Veterinary Dermatology pages: 55-56 First Published online: November 29, 2013 First published: 16 October 2014 https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12182AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Use of an open-source Geographic Information System-based method for topographic analysis of nodular cutaneous lesions in dogs. VDE, 25: 55–56 In the above paper, an error was made with one of the author names, which was listed as “G. Marco”. This is incorrect and it should have been listed as ‘M. Galeotti’. Reference 1Pascotto E, Tomè P, Comazzi S, Marco G, Cornegliani L. Use of an open-source Geographic Information System-based method for topographic analysis of nodular cutaneous lesions in dogs. Vet Dermatol 2014; 25: 55– 56, doi: 10.1111/vde.12094. Wiley Online LibraryPubMedWeb of Science®Google Scholar Volume25, Issue5October 2014Pages 491-491 ReferencesRelatedInformation

An evaluation of metrics for assessing maternal exposure to agricultural pesticides

We evaluate the use of three different exposure metrics to estimate maternal agricultural pesticide exposure during pregnancy. Using a geographic information system-based method of pesticide exposure estimation, we combine data on crop density and specific pesticide application amounts/dates to create the three exposure metrics. For illustration purposes, we create each metric for a North Carolina cohort of pregnant women, 2003-2005, and analyze the risk of congenital anomaly development with a focus on metric comparisons. Based on the results, and the need to balance data collection efforts/computational efficiency with accuracy, the metric which estimates total chemical exposure using application dates based on crop-specific earliest planting and latest harvesting information is preferred. Benefits and drawbacks of each metric are discussed and recommendations for extending the analysis to other states are provided.

GIS-based method of delimitating trade area for retail chains

Delimitating trade area with accuracy is a major concern for retail and service companies who want to adapt their marketing strategy to be competitive in today's highly competitive chain industry. A collection of methods have been proposed to delimitating trade area, but either some are too simple or the necessary data are not available. In this article, a geographic information system-based method for precisely delimitating trade area is proposed. It is based on the fact that the social and economic activities are actualized along the street networks. The trade area can be delineated in terms of time distance with high precision taking the practical traffic situations into account. In addition, centered on this method of delimitating trade area, a wide array of functions can be extended to support both operational day-to-day and long-term strategic decision making for retailers.

Sustainable spatial management: an integrated approach

An integrated methodology has been designed to assist sustainable decision-making processes managed by spatial planners and developers in public authorities and the private sector. It emphasises public participation at early stages of spatial planning for the integration of sustainability criteria. It also acts as an integrated decision-support system for use at the plans and programmes approval stages to validate and complement strategic environmental assessment. A toolbox using state-of-the-art planning and geographic information system-based methods is complemented by five modules – conceptual models, system indicators, multi-criteria analysis, database management and geographic information system framework – which may be integrated in stakeholder participation tools throughout the implementation process. The approach therefore facilitates coherent responses to the following questions: What is the best way to design an integrated sustainable planning system? What is the best method to integrate sustainability criteria at early stages of planning? How can sustainability yardsticks successfully integrate environmental, social and economical aspects? Finally, how can stakeholder interest and participation in the planning process be stimulated? A scenario-based case-study of spatial planning in urban and peri-urban areas of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque autonomous region in Spain, is chosen to report on the system validation.

Extension and validation of a geographic information system-based method for calculating the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation length-slope factor for erosion risk assessments in large watersheds

A geographic information system-based (GIS) method for estimating the length-slope (LS) factor of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation using national-scale datasets was developed and validated. The method was applied to approximately two-thirds of the Mississippi River basin, focusing on agricultural subwatersheds in the Midwest. The results were validated by comparing the GIS-based statistical distributions of LS-factor values with the distribution of LS-factors calculated from the Natural Resources Inventory database at the eight-digit watershed level. The GIS-based approach was shown to produce statistical distributions of LS-factor values very similar to those described by the Natural Resources Inventory database of field measurements, providing for the first time strong support for using GIS-based methods to represent the spatial heterogeneity and magnitude of LS-factors. Development and validation of the GIS-based approach is an important step toward conducting large-scale erosion potential assessments that have soil conservation implications in natural resources management, agronomy, and agrochemical exposure risk assessments.

Extension and validation of a geographic information system-based method for calculating the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation length-slope factor for erosion risk assessments in large watersheds

A geographic information system-based (GIS) method for estimating the length-slope (<i>LS</i>) factor of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation using national-scale datasets was developed and validated. The method was applied to approximately two-thirds of the Mississippi River basin, focusing on agricultural subwatersheds in the Midwest. The results were validated by comparing the GIS-based statistical distributions of <i>LS</i>-factor values with the distribution of <i>LS</i>-factors calculated from the Natural Resources Inventory database at the eight-digit watershed level. The GIS-based approach was shown to produce statistical distributions of <i>LS</i>-factor values very similar to those described by the Natural Resources Inventory database of field measurements, providing for the first time strong support for using GIS-based methods to represent the spatial heterogeneity and magnitude of <i>LS</i>-factors. Development and validation of the GIS-based approach is an important step toward conducting large-scale erosion potential assessments that have soil conservation implications in natural resources management, agronomy, and agrochemical exposure risk assessments.

Impact of the Mekong River Flow Alteration on the Tonle Sap Flood Pulse

Rapid development in the upper reaches of the Mekong River, in the form of construction of large hydropower dams and reservoirs, large irrigation schemes, and rapid urban development, is putting water resources under stress. Recent studies have concluded that these developments will lead to flow alterations in the Mekong River. These flow alterations would threaten the sensitive ecosystems downstream, particularly Tonle Sap River, Tonle Sap Lake, its floodplain, and its gallery forest and protected areas, by changing the flood-pulse system of the lake. This article estimates the changes in parameters of the Tonle Sap flood pulse due to the aforementioned flow alterations. The impacts on the flooded area and loss of gallery forest and protected areas were analyzed using geographic information system-based methods. Relatively small rises in the dry-season lake water level would permanently inundate disproportionately large areas of floodplain, rendering it inaccessible to floodplain vegetation and eroding the productivity basis of the ecosystem. It is highly important to maintain the natural hydrological pattern of the Mekong River, particularly the dry-season water levels, to preserve Tonle Sap Lake's ecosystem productivity.

A GIS-based step-wise procedure for assessing physical exposure in fragmented archipelagos

Wind and waves are major forces affecting the geomorphology and biota in coastal areas. We present a generally applicable method for measuring and calculating fetch length, fetch direction and wave exposure. Fetch length and direction, measured by geographic information system-based methods, are used along with wind direction and wind speed data to estimate wave height and period by applying forecasting curves. The apparent power of waves approaching the shore, used as a proxy for wave exposure, is then calculated by a linear wave model. We demonstrate our method by calculating fetch lengths and wave exposure indices for five areas with varying exposure levels and types of meteorological conditions in the Finnish Archipelago Sea, situated in the northern Baltic Sea. This method is a rapid and accurate means of estimating exposure, and is especially applicable in areas with geomorphologically varying and complicated shorelines. We expect that our method will be useful in several fields, such as basic biogeographical and biodiversity research, as well as coastal land-use planning and management.