Suitability Of Potential Sites Research Articles

Suitability of Site Selection for Mountain Railway Engineering Spoil Disposal Areas from a Multi-Scenario Perspective

The current approach to selecting sites for abandoned spoil areas primarily relies on qualitative methods, often overlooking the impact of policy factors on decision-making. Traditional single-site selection strategies may not be flexible enough to accommodate evolving external policy demands. Addressing this challenge is crucial for ensuring the site selection for abandoned spoil areas is both scientifically sound and policy-compliant. This research integrates various analytical methods, including principal component analysis, complex network theory, the CRITIC method, and the ordered weighted averaging method, to thoroughly evaluate the factors influencing site selection. Utilizing geographic information system (GIS) technology, the study simulates different policy scenarios, such as construction cost, social and ecological concerns, natural security, spatial accessibility, and a comprehensive balance approach. It specifically analyzes the suitability of the spoil site of a segment of the Chongqing ZW Railway under these policy conditions. Based on the actual policy situation in the local area, six potential suitable sites were screened with the help of field investigation. This study can offer a methodological framework and theoretical guidance for optimally locating mountain railway engineering waste disposal sites. In addition, the methodology presented in this study can be adapted to the development and change in policy scenarios.

Combining Agent-Based Modelling and Geographical Information Systems to Create a New Approach for Modelling Movement Dynamics: A Case Study of Mesolithic Orkney

AbstractThe earliest Holocene occupation of Orkney is still poorly understood. This pilot study explores the use of multi-factorial landscape and land-cover reconstruction to form a baseline physical environment for the assessment of Mesolithic movement and potential site suitability. A geographic information systems (GIS) approach to landscape reconstruction through proxy use allows for an analogue of Mesolithic land cover and extent to be generated and used to predict the potential for Mesolithic site/material remains. The integration of agent-based modelling introduces a novel investigation of pathways in the landscape, divined not with a fixed destination but with a programmed least-cost movement behaviour to extrude “natural corridors” of movement from the study area. Utilising the base physical characteristics of the natural environment, without introducing complex sociopolitical or economic drivers for movement promotes the use of a complex physical environment as a necessary consideration as baseline for all studies of mobility and movement. This approach also intends to present a platform to develop more universal or widely applicable models capable of providing a relevant baseline landscape for the rapid assessment and investigation of the archaeological potential of an area. Developing or understanding the role of a robust landscape permits the appropriate assessment of project utility, scale, and layering and integration of more complex input factors.

Integrating a GIS-based approach and a SWAT model to identify potential suitable sites for rainwater harvesting in Rwanda

Abstract The increasing demand for water results in the overexploitation of water resources. This situation calls for more effective water management alternatives including rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems. Due to the lack of biophysical data and infrastructure, the identification of suitable sites for various RWH systems is a challenging issue. However, integrating geospatial analysis and modeling approaches has become a promising tool to identify suitable sites for RWH. Thus, this study aimed at identifying suitable sites for RWH in the Nyabugogo catchment located in Rwanda by integrating a geo-information-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) and SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model. Moreover, the sediment yield was compared to the soil erosion evaluated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) owing to the lack of sediment concentration measured data. The results revealed that about 4.8 and 16.35% of the study area are classified as highly suitable and suitable areas for RWH, respectively. Around 6% of the study area (98.5 km2) was found to be suitable for farm ponds, whereas 1.6% (26.1 km2) suitable for check dams, and 25.9% (423 km2) suitable for bench terraces. Among 50 proposed sites for the RWH structures, 29 are located in the most suitable area for RWH. The results implicated that the surface runoff, sediment yield, and topography are essential factors in identifying the suitability of RWH areas. It is concluded that the integrated geospatial and MCDM techniques provide a useful and efficient method for planning RWH at a basin scale in the study area.

Using a Multi-Criteria Model to Assess the Suitability of Potential Sites to Implement Off-Grid Solar PV Projects in South America

The role of the private sector is essential in providing energy access to all by 2030. However, private investors often face the decision problem of deciding where to implement off-grid projects. This selection process can be considered a multifactorial task because it requires accounting not only for local conditions, technical constraints, and economic-financial feasibility but also for socio-cultural dynamics and environmental consequences. In this paper, we implemented a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method based on the Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH) to assist in the selection of the most suitable location to implement off-grid solar PV projects in South America. Following a participatory process with the input of a decision-maker representing the private sector, we combined 13 criteria, within 5 dimensions, to evaluate the performance of three potential sites, namely Bolivia, Peru and Colombia. Based on an overall score associated with each alternative, we grouped them into three categories: highly sustainable, sustainable, and unsustainable. As a result, Colombia represents the highest sustainable option for a potential private investor. This methodology provides guidance not only to investors but also to local utility companies and policymakers assessing off-grid locations with electricity access deficits, in developing countries.

Potential Site Suitability Analysis for Wind Farm Development Using GIS and Multi-Criteria Analysis

The energy consumption of most developing countries like Ethiopia highly depends on biomass and imported fuels. These sources of energy have imposed severe impacts on the environment.Recently, Ethiopia has begun to harness electricity from renewable energies mainly from hydro- dams to meet its energy need. However, the existing energy production of the hydro-dams declines during dry season due to shortage of river waters. So, it is important to look for other renewable energy sources like wind to compliment the energy decline. This study presents an identification of suitable site for wind farm development in selected districts of Tigray Region. Ten major biophysical, environmental and socio-political factors were identified that influence the wind farm development. These major factors were delineated from the different spatial datasets which were collected from various sources. ArcGIS 10.3 and ERDAS 9.2 software were used to prepare factor maps for all variables. The pair wise comparison associated with Analytical Hierarchy Process was used to weigh the factors then weighted overlay model was applied. The findings of the overlay showed that there are sufficient lands suitable for grid- based and off-grid wind farms development in the study area. About 140.5 km2 i.e. 6.5% is highly suitable and about 1103.1 km2 which means 51.0% is moderately suitable for wind farm development. A land of area 25 km2 entirely laid under highly suitable category was identified for wind farm design. The site has excellent wind speed and is located entirely in close proximity to the main roads and grid transmission lines. Keywords: Wind farm, GIS, multi-criteria analysis, renewable energies, AHP, Ethiopia

Integration of multiple climate models to predict range shifts and identify management priorities of the endangered Taxus wallichiana in the Himalaya\u2013Hengduan Mountain region

Taxus wallichiana Zucc. (Himalayan yew) is subject to international and national conservation measures because of its over-exploitation and decline over the last 30 years. Predicting the impact of climate change on T. wallichiana’s distribution might help protect the wild populations and plan effective ex situ measures or cultivate successfully. Considering the complexity of climates and the uncertainty inherent in climate modeling for mountainous regions, we integrated three Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) (i.e., RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5) based on datasets from 14 Global Climate Models of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, Phase 5 to: (1) predict the potential distribution of T. wallichiana under recent past (1960–1990, hereafter “current”) and future (2050s and 2070s) scenarios with the species distribution model MaxEnt.; and (2) quantify the climatic factors influencing the distribution. In respond to the future warming climate scenarios, (1) highly suitable areas for T. wallichiana would decrease by 31–55% at a rate of 3–7%/10a; (2) moderately suitable areas would decrease by 20–30% at a rate of 2–4%/10a; (3) the average elevation of potential suitable sites for T. wallichiana would shift up-slope by 390 m (15%) to 948 m (36%) at a rate of 42–100 m/10a. Average annual temperature (contribution rate ca. 61%), isothermality and temperature seasonality (20%), and annual precipitation (17%) were the main climatic variables affecting T. wallichiana habitats. Prior protected areas and suitable planting areas must be delimited from the future potential distributions, especially the intersection areas at different suitability levels. It is helpful to promote the sustainable utilization of this precious resource by prohibiting exploitation and ex situ restoring wild resources, as well as artificially planting considering climate suitability.

Suitable map analysis for wind energy projects using remote sensing and GIS: a case study in Turkey.

The aim of the study is to create a suitable map for wind energy projects in a rural area. The primary goal here is to show a methodology using automatic object extraction of the target classes of buildings, vegetation, and ground. The secondary goal is to identify the potential effects for wind turbine sites based on four criteria: Wind speed, Slope, Building, and Vegetation using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP). This paper discusses two important situations for wind energy projects. The first strategy is to just determine the best suitable site locations of wind turbines, while the second strategy determines the locations of wind turbines with minimal negative effects on the rural area. The proposed approach is tested using the data obtained from a multi-sensor system in Evrencik, Turkey. In preliminary phases of renewable energy projects, successful results are dependent on evaluating the potential site's suitability with criteria such as social, environmental, physical, and economic conditions. Furthermore, an accuracy analysis is performed on the automatically extracted target classes for the study area, yielding a value of 89% in the remote sensing section of the study. Moreover, for the GIS section of the study, suitable and unsuitable areas are identified, and the suitability levels of the remaining areas are determined for the two strategies. According to the results, 11% of the areas are found to have high, moderate, and low suitability levels, and 89% are unsuitable for the first strategy, whereas these rates are, respectively, 2% and 98% for the second strategy.

A verified habitat suitability model for the intertidal rock oyster, Saccostrea cucullata.

There is growing interest to restore oyster populations and develop oyster reefs for their role in ecosystem health and delivery of ecosystem services. Successful and sustainable oyster restoration efforts largely depend on the availability and selection of suitable sites that can support long-term growth and survival of oysters. Hence, in the present study a habitat suitability index (HSI) model was developed for the intertidal rock oyster (Saccostrea cucullata), with special attention: (1) to the role of the monsoon in the suitability of oyster habitats, and (2) to identify potential suitable sites along the south-eastern Bangladesh coast. Seven habitat factors were used as input variables for the HSI model: (1) water temperature; (2) salinity; (3) dissolved oxygen; (4) particulate inorganic matter (PIM); (5) pH; (6) Chlorophyll-a; and (7) water flow velocity. Seven field surveys were conducted at 80 locations to collect geo-spatial environmental data, which were then used to determine HSI scores using habitat suitability functions. The model results showed that the areas suitable (HSI >0.50) for oyster settlement and growth were characterized by relatively high salinities, Chlorophyll-a, dissolved oxygen and pH values. In contrast, freshwater dominated estuaries and nearby coastal areas with high suspended sediment were found less suitable (HSI <0.50) for oysters. HSI model results were validated with observed oyster distribution data. There was strong correlation between the HSI calculated by the model and observed oyster densities (r = 0.87; n = 53), shell height (r = 0.95; n = 53) and their condition index (r = 0.98; n = 53). The good correspondence with field data enhances the applicability of the HSI model as a quantitative tool for evaluating the quality of a site for oyster restoration and culture.

Meso-Scale CFD Simulation for Wind Resources: A Case Study of Complex Mountainous Terrain

Land based site selection for a wind farm has some challenging criteria, namely, cost for electricity generation and distribution, acquiring ownership of the site, potential barriers from various laws and permits, security concerns, access issues, feasibility of accommodation, etc. However, wind resource assessment deems the first criterion to rule out a site before other criteria can play roles in the selection process. In this paper, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study has been performed on a complex mountainous terrain near a shore in the west coast of the US to assess the wind resource in order to spot potential suitable sites for wind turbines. Average wind speed at a height of 10 m at the centre (44&deg;22 &prime; 12.0 &prime; &prime; N, 123&deg;59 &prime; 24.0 &prime; &prime; W) of the chosen region under study has been compared with the simulated data for validation. Results from the study, which yields a continuous map of flow field variables, have revealed much more detailed features than the available state-wise wind maps. For example, it has revealed as high as 147% variation in wind speeds and 438% in wind power, making it possible to choose suitable sites without the need for, or perhaps in advance of, expensive direct measurements. This type of analysis may help in preliminary assessments and expedite the site selection process.

Location Selection for Wind Farms Using GIS Multi-Criteria Hybrid Model: An Approach Based on Fuzzy and Rough Numbers

This paper presents spatial mathematical model in order to identify sites for the wind farms installment which can have significant support for the planners in the area of strategy and management of wind power use. The suggested model is based on combined use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) with multi-criteria techniques of Best-Worst method (BWM) and MultiAttributive Ideal-Real Comparative Analysis (MAIRCA). Rough numbers and fuzzy logic are used to exploit uncertainty during data analysis in spatial mathematical model. The model is applied on the case study. Rough BWM model is used to determine weight coefficients of the criteria and rough MAIRCA method is used to rank separated sustainable locations. The implementation of MAIRCA method has shown that the location L3 is the most suitable for the wind farm in the area covered in the case study. Therefore, the suggested spatial mathematical model can be successfully used to identify the potential suitable sites for the wind farms in other areas with similar geographic conditions.

Flash flood water management practices in Dera Ghazi Khan City (Pakistan): a remote sensing and GIS prospective

Flash flood hazard of Wador hill torrent has distressed human activities in almost every part of Dera Ghazi Khan (D.G. Khan) City, Pakistan. In order to mitigate such hazards, and to utilize the flash flood water in such water-deficit area, the study identifies potential suitable sites for dam construction with quantitative assessment resulting in capacity determination of the designed dams. The developed methodology also incorporates the designing of downslope water conveyance system in storm water management model’s (SWMM) environment. The efficacy of the dams was analyzed using SWMM model’s runoff and transport module by integrating meteorological and topographic factors with the utilization of curve number method for runoff generation and modeling. Two sites were identified as suitable for dam construction with sufficient collective designed capacity of approximately 27 million m3 to store the flashy peaks. Number of channels designed results in systematic waterways to flow from the dam site to the outlet point (D.G. Khan Canal). The findings may be useful for mitigation strategies of the severe weather conditions. Similar integrated approach could be used for mitigation of flash flood around the world.

Many routes lead to Rome: potential causes for the multi‐route migration system of Red Knots, Calidris canutus islandica

Migrants, such as birds or representatives of other taxa, usually make use of several stopover sites to cover the distance between their site of origin and destination. Potentially, multiple routes exist, but often little is known about the causes and consequences of alternative migration routes. Apart from their geographical distribution, the suitability of potential sites might play an important role in the animals' decisions for a particular itinerary. We used an optimal-migration model to test three nonmutually exclusive hypotheses leading to variations in the spring migration routes of a subspecies of Red Knot, Calidris canutus islandica, which migrates from wintering grounds in Western Europe to breeding grounds in Greenland and the Canadian Arctic: the breeding location hypothesis, the energy budget hypothesis, and the predation risk hypothesis. Varying only breeding location, the model predicted that birds breeding in the Canadian Arctic and on West Greenland stop over on Iceland, whereas birds breeding in East and Northeast Greenland migrate via northern Norway, a prediction that is supported by empirical findings. Energy budgets on stopover sites had a strong influence on the choice of route and staging times. Varying foraging-intensity and mass-dependent predation risk prompted the birds to use less risky sites, if possible. The effect of simultaneous changes in the energy budget and predation risk strongly depended on the site where these occurred. Our findings provide potential explanations for the observations that C. canutus islandica uses a diverse array of migration routes. Scrutinizing the three alternative driving forces for the choice of migratory routes awaits further, specific data collection in rapidly developing fields of research (e.g., predation risk assessment, GPS tracking). Generally, the type of modeling presented here may not only highlight alternative explanations, but also direct follow-up empirical research.

Delineation of potential sites for water harvesting structures through remote sensing and GIS techniques: a case study of Kali watershed, Gujarat, India

Site suitability studies for check dams, percolation ponds, and subsurface dykes form an integral part of watershed management. This work illustrates the efficacy of remote sensing and GIS tools for identifying suitable sites for these structures. Thematic layers such as land use/land cover, lithology, soils, slope, rainfall and drainage were generated using LISS-III, PAN (IRS-1D), Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and collateral data. Runoff potential for different combinations of land use and hydraulic soil groups was computed and classified into three classes. A potential site suitability map for water harvesting/recharging structures was derived following an analytical hierarchy process. The analytically derived potential site suitability map was validated in the field. The accuracy of prediction was estimated on the basis of proximity between derived and field validated sites. In 75% of cases, the sites derived for check dam, percolation pond and subsurface dyke were accurate.

Review komatiites: from Earth’s geological settings to planetary and astrobiological contexts

Komatiites are fascinating volcanic rocks. They are among the most ancient lavas of the Earth following the 3.8 Ga pillow basalts at Isua and they represent some of the oldest ultramafic magmatic rocks preserved in the Earth’s crust at 3.5 Ga. This fact, linked to their particular features (high magnesium content, high melting temperatures, low dynamic viscosities, etc.), has attracted the community of geoscientists since their discovery in the early sixties, who have tried to determine their origin and understand their meaning in the context of terrestrial mantle evolution. In addition, it has been proposed that komatiites are not restricted to our planet, but they could be found in other extraterrestrial settings in our Solar System (particularly on Mars and Io). It is important to note that komatiites may be extremely significant in the study of the origins and evolution of Life on Earth. They not only preserve essential geochemical clues of the interaction between the pristine Earth rocks and atmosphere, but also may have been potential suitable sites for biological processes to develop. Thus, besides reviewing the main geodynamic, petrological and geochemical characteristics of komatiites, this paper also aims to widen their investigation beyond the classical geological prospect, calling attention to them as attractive rocks for research in Planetology and Astrobiology.

Recovery of intertidal mussel beds in the Waddensea: use of habitat maps in the management of the fishery

In the Waddensea, musselbed distribution and abundance has decreased. Management is aiming at increase of area of beds. Fisheries have been regulated. Mussel beds are slowly recovering, and localities where recovery occurs can be predicted reasonably well. Active restoration of beds has not been necessary, as long as newly formed beds are protected from fisheries. Potential suitable sites should be protected from bottom-disturbing activities which might influence the substrate for spatfall such as cockle beds and tube-building polycheates.

Generalized capacity factors for grid-intertie solar photovoltaic systems

We present a simple calculation and graphical procedure for direct determination of the annual capacity factor of no-storage grid-interie photovoltaic systems. This is applicable to the principal solar collector types and to a wide range of climates. This method provides “translation equations” for predicting both instantaneous power output (under any specified test conditions) and long-term average power output of photovoltaic modules from instantaneous measurements. Such a procedure, which we validate for one site only, should enable a designer to make accurate preliminary assessments concerning the suitability of potential sites and solar collector types by simple analytic calculations or, equivalent, by reading poinst off the graphs presented herein.