Use Of Geographic Information Systems Research Articles

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourism: A Clustering Approach for the Spanish Tourism Analysis

Since the middle of the last century, the Spanish tourism sector has experienced significant growth, which was interrupted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation had a considerable impact on Spain, as the country is a leading world tourism destination and relies heavily on this sector in its economy, making it vulnerable when demand for tourism services declines. The tourism model in Spain is not homogeneous, and the Mediterranean coastal regions and island areas are highly dependent on tourism as a main source of economic income and were particularly affected by the consequences of the pandemic. This study analyzes the impact of the pandemic on the tourism sector in each Spanish autonomous community, focusing on tourism demand through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The results reveal the disparity and vulnerability of Spanish regions to the tourism crisis. The most tourist-dependent areas dependent on international tourism have experienced a decline due to restrictions and a fall in demand. On the other hand, rural regions that depend mainly on national tourism have suffered fewer effects.

Identification of river basins within northwestern slope of Crimean Mountains using various digital elevation models (ASTER GDEM, ALOS World 3D, Copernicus DEM, and SRTM DEM)

Since the end of the 20th century, the use of geographic information systems and digital elevation models has reduced the time required for and improved the quality of morphometric analysis of the relief within river basins. However, researchers are constantly faced with the problem of choosing the most accurate and suitable digital terrain model for their task. Many global, regional, and local digital elevation models are available. In this study, we comparatively analyzed the accuracy of the ASTER GDEM, ALOS World 3D, Copernicus DEM, and SRTM DEM spatial datasets for the purpose of catchment basin modeling for the river basins of the northwestern slope of the Crimean Mountains (Zapadnyy Bulganak, Alma, Kacha, Belbek, and Chernaya Rivers) as an example. For each river basin, we calculated the systematic, root mean square, mean absolute, standard root mean square (Bessel’s correction), and centered mean absolute errors by comparing ASTER GDEM, ALOS World 3D, Copernicus DEM, and SRTM DEM data with a 1:100,000 topographic map within the considered river basins. We found the smallest error values for the Copernicus DEM and ALOS World 3D datasets; furthermore, we used the Copernicus DEM dataset to model the river basins and sub-basins of the northwestern slope of the Crimean Mountains. As a result, we identified these river basins and sub-basins for the Zapadnyy Bulganak, Alma, Kacha, Belbek, and Chernaya Rivers, which are represented by stream basins, valleys, gullies, and ravine systems.

Utilization Of Geographic Information Systems (SIG) In Mapping Rivers As Alternative Transportation Routes In Jakarta

Abstract—Public transportation is an important means of transportation for people's lives. The importance of transportation is reflected in the increasing need for transportation services to move people and goods from one place to another. For this reason, there needs to be a way to be able to overcome congestion that occurs due to heavy traffic activities that occur on land. One way is to use the river as an alternative means of transportation. River currents can be used as a means of transportation by using watercraft such as amphibious buses. Therefore, river mapping studies are needed to study optimal routes so as to integrate amphibious bus transportation routes. The way that can be done is by maximizing the use of geographic information systems (GIS) for making mapping of the river path, so it is hoped that with the existence of water transportation routes, it can be a good solution to reduce the level of congestion that occurs in DKI Jakarta.

A novel artificial neural network methodology to produce high-resolution bioclimatic maps using Earth Observation data: A case study for Cyprus

The aim of this research is to propose a novel methodology that exploits Earth Observation (EO) data to accurately produce high-resolution bioclimatic maps at large spatiotemporal scales. This method directly links EO products (i.e., land surface temperature - LST and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index - NDVI) to air temperature (Tair) and such thermal indices as the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), and the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) to produce large-scale high-quality bioclimatic maps at a spatial resolution of 100 m. The proposed methodology is based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), and the bioclimatic maps are developed with the use of Geographical Information Systems. High-resolution LST maps are produced from the spatial downscaling of EO images and the application of the methodology in the case of the island of Cyprus highlights the ability of EO parameters to estimate accurately Tair as well as the above mentioned thermal indices. The results are validated for different conditions and the overall Mean Absolute Error for each case ranges from 1.9 °C for Tair to 2.8 °C for PET and UTCI. The trained ANNs could be used in near real-time for estimating the spatial distribution of outdoor thermal conditions and for assessing the relationship between human health and the outdoor thermal environment. On the basis of the developed bioclimatic maps, high-risk areas were identified. Furthermore, the study examines the relationship between land cover and Tair, UTCI, and PET, and the results provide evidence of the suitability of the method to monitor the dynamics of the urban environment and the effectiveness of urban nature-based solutions. Studies on bioclimate analysis monitor thermal environment, raise awareness and enhance the capacity of national public health systems to respond to thermally-induced health risks.

Use of geographical information system (GIS) application in public libraries

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to describe the role of geographical information system (GIS) in public libraries. The study shed light on various functions of GIS in the public library scenario. It further elaborates on the scope of GIS, its functions and the multiple challenges faced by library staff in implementation in public library.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative study was conducted by exploring articles published in top databases like Elsevier, Taylor and Francis, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, etc. The study reveals that GIS has been part of multiple businesses for the past few years, and its role is expanding at an alarming rate in public libraries for the past 10 years.FindingsThe study reveals that GIS deals with the geospatial characteristics of the data set, and the public library’s prime role is to visualize large quantities of disparate data in one data set.Originality/valueThe study will further wider the scope of the GIS in public library scenario. Experts in GIS and library field will get an extensive information and optimum benefits by reading this paper.

Analysis of changes in mangrove land cover on the north coast of Aceh Besar

The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to generate digital data that provides information on the characteristics of an area and describes changes in land cover that can be used in a more effective and efficient sustainable manner. This study aims to analyze the mangrove land cover of the north coast of Aceh Besar over the last three decades, namely 2000, 2010, and 2020 in the Baitussalam sub-district, Mesjid Raya sub-district and Seulimeum sub-district. The research was conducted from June 2022 to September 2022 at the GIS Laboratory, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries, Syiah Kuala University. The research was conducted using a Geographic Information System (GIS) that utilizes high-resolution satellite imagery from Google Earth Pro. Mangrove land was digitized visually on screen, then data processing was carried out, and spatially analyzed. The results of the analysis of changes in mangrove land cover in the research area show that the Baitussalam and Mesjid Raya sub-districts had a decreasing trend of mangove land between 2000 and 2010 and subsequently there was an increase in mangrove land cover from 2010 to 2020. Meanwhile, Seulimeum sub-district experienced a decreasing trend of land cover in 2000 until 2020. The decline in the trend of mangroves in various places is caused by the growth of the population using mangrove land as residential area. While the increase in mangove land cover was due to the success of reforestation and pond land conversion. The results conclude that the mangrove land cover on the north coast of Aceh Besar is relatively stable with an increasing trend of growth.Keywords:Land coverMangroveHigh resolution googleHistorical imageryGoogle earth proDigitize

Climate change vulnerability hotspots in Costa Rica: constructing a sub-national index

For policies and programs aiming at reducing climate risk, it is important to obtain vulnerability information at the sub-national level to identify hotspots. For the case of Costa Rica, no sub-national climate vulnerability index exists to date. To fill this gap, we constructed a climate vulnerability index at the canton level. We ground our work in the conceptual framework that vulnerability is a function of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Making extensive use of geographic information systems and publicly available data, we constructed 13 spatial layers to reflect the multi-dimensionality of vulnerability. Layers reflect for example, changes in climatic extremes, flood risk, vegetation cover, access to infrastructure (road density) and health services (distance to hospitals), as well as various socioeconomic (wealth level, employment rates, remittances, literacy rate) and demographic (infant mortality) characteristics. Following normalization, we constructed an inverse variance weighted index of canton-level climate vulnerability. We confirmed the validity of our climate vulnerability index through correlation with disaster damage data. We find the strongest climate vulnerability not only in the rural, agricultural producing border cantons (Los Chiles, Matina, Talamanca, Buenos Aires), but also for a few central urban cantons (Tibas, San Jose). Projects and interventions in these hot spot cantons may reduce sensitivity through strengthening hydrological infrastructure and economic development, while adaptive capacity may be improved through addressing barriers of remittance transfer, and via public health programs.

Soil erosion modeling using computer-graphic methods and geographic information systems

The surface of the earth, exposed to gravitational forces, wind, water and ice, is continuously evolving within spatial and temporal proportions. The erosion processes that form the land surface are extremely complex and difficult to quantify over large areas. Remote sensing provides important data that allows us to gain insight into the interactions between physical processes and environmental conditions that control the erosion and development of landforms. Recent advances in mapping technologies, such as the use of LiDAR, hyperspectral imaging, and ground-penetrating radar, have significantly increased the spatial and temporal function of the analysis of these processes. New research suggests that fundamental changes in the initial theories of erosion processes may be made to align with new scientific findings. Analysis and modelling based on the science of geospatial information (GIS) play an important role in better understanding and predictability aimed at minimizing the negative impacts of soil erosion and its deposition. In this paper it is presented the views, theory and methods of modelling soil erosion, sediment transport and sedimentation in watercourses based on the application of computer graphics methods and the use of geographic information systems. The mathematical equations that stand in the algorithmic backgrounds of the models for the control of soil erosion are applied for the calculation of the intensity of erosion, and the modelling of this process of soil degradation. The presented methods explain the movement of eroded material from basins, its deposition downstream, and the influences of these processes on the evolution of natural landscapes of the studied areas. Some approaches that used GIS applications in simple and advanced models are discussed, and models used in the world and in the Western Balkans region are presented.

Patterns of Change and Successional Transition in a 47-Year Period (1973–2020) in Rangelands of the Tamaulipan Highlands, Northeastern Mexico

Rangelands in arid and semi-arid regions are the main source of livestock feed. The fragmentation of these ecosystems by continuous grazing gives rise to the modification of ecological processes, which alters the structure and functionality of plant communities. Therefore, the use of geographic information systems and the analysis of satellite images are important to monitor spatial changes and to evaluate these areas in the Tamaulipan Highlands of northeastern Mexico. This work aimed to evaluate the current state of the rangelands and to determine the percentage of modified areas as well as propose the time of permanence, succession, or recovery of five different areas destined for rangelands. For the analysis, Landsat satellite scenes from the period 1973–2020 were used: they were classified into four categories using segmentation and maximum likelihood analysis, as well as a cross-tabulation method to determine the degree of succession. An increase in rangelands was found in three of the five areas analyzed in the period from 1973 to 2020. As rangeland areas increase, the coverage of pine–oak forests, submontane–thorny scrub, and anthropogenic areas, decreases. The disturbance processes were not linear, and the increase in rangeland areas was greater in xerophilous scrub and secondary vegetation. This work is the first contribution that evaluates the changes in land use and cover in grazing areas compromised by continuous grazing in the Tamaulipan Highlands and Mexico. In addition, the results indicate the importance of performing studies based on the coexistence of wildlife and livestock as well as the interaction between soil degradation and plant diversity with the increase in rangelands.

Increasing digital capabilities of agricultural projects to reduce costs

This paper provides an overview of the extent of digital transformation in the Republic of Iraq. It contains a discussion of the opportunities and challenges that the economy faces due to digitization and its potential to promote a sustainable economic transformation to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By analyzing the experience of implementing these projects, it is possible to identify the economic and accounting actions that can be taken to reduce the costs of digitizing crop production enterprises, as well as identify problems in industrial relations that impede effective digitization and the establishment of a geographic information system for regional agriculture in the Middle Euphrates, Iraq. Based on an assessment of the state of digitization in the Middle Euphrates region of Iraq, key areas for digitization efforts in the agricultural sector were identified. The study revealed the fundamental trends of modern and innovative digital technologies presented by the “Digital Agriculture” management project with special data processing methods and the use of geographic information systems that make it possible to obtain a significant economic impact to reduce and rationalize costs. According to the results obtained, the use of elements of digital technologies in crop production in the Middle Euphrates, Iraq, has a significant economic effect, the replication of which can greatly accelerate the development of the industry. These efforts to unlock Iraq's digital potential will accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Multi-criteria decision analysis for wind farm location selection in Bahir Dar City and its surroundings, Northwestern Ethiopia

While there is a consensus on the multifaceted advantages of wind farms, only a handful of developing countries harness it to the fullest potential. Among the various factors that contributed to the low development of wind farms in those countries, the dearth of methods for identifying a suitable site is the leading one. Studies conducted elsewhere on wind farm industry identifies criteria such as slope, wind speed, land use/land cover, geology, distance from electric transmission grids, roads, and settlements. However, the relative magnitude of each factor to the optimum location of the wind farm is inadequately examined. This study focuses on the combined use of geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) for selecting the most appropriate sites for wind-farm development. Using a pairwise comparison method of the analytical hierarchical process, we computed the relative importance and weight of parameters affecting wind farm sites in a weighted overlay technique. Based on the analysis of pertinent data collected from Bahir Dar City and its surroundings, northwestern Ethiopia, we categorized the study area into five suitability classes ranging from extremely suitable to not suitable. Our result, revealed a spatial pattern of the potential sites suitable for wind farm investments that are economical, environmentally sound, and aesthetically amenable. We recommend replicating the method developed in this study in other areas of developing countries where transitioning to renewable energy sources through windfarm development is sought.

Delineation of Groundwater Potential Area using an AHP, Remote Sensing, and GIS Techniques in the Ifni Basin, Western Anti-Atlas, Morocco

An assessment of potential groundwater areas in the Ifni basin, located in the western Anti-Atlas range of Morocco, was conducted based on a multicriteria analytical approach that integrated a set of geomorphological and hydroclimatic factors influencing the availability of this resource. This approach involved the use of geographic information systems (GIS) and hierarchical analytical process (AHP) models. Different factors were classified and weighted according to their contribution to and impact on groundwater reserves. Their normalized weights were evaluated using a pairwise comparison matrix. Four classes of potentiality emerged: very high, high, moderate, and low, occupying 15.22%, 20.17%, 30.96%, and 33.65%, respectively, of the basin’s area. A groundwater potential map (GWPA) was validated by comparison with data from 134 existing water points using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The AUC was calculated at 80%, indicating the good predictive accuracy of the AHP method. These results will enable water operators to select favorable sites with a high groundwater potential.

Analyzing the most eligible site selection for biomass energy facilities through weighted overlay analysis: case of Balikesir (Turkey) province

Objective: This study aims to analyze the eligible site selection for biomass energy facilities in Balıkesir province, which is ranked as one of the important provinces of Turkey from the perspective of agriculture and livestock activities. Material and Methods: Within the framework of the study, the most eligible areas for biomass energy facilities in the province were determined by Weighted Overlay Analysis with the use of Geographic Information Systems. Results: In results of the study, it was revealed that the most eligible areas for biomass energy facilities in the province were the districts of Karesi, Susurluk and Savaştepe, respectively, while the districts of Ayvalık, Edremit and Erdek districts located in the coastal part of the province were not suitable. Conclusion: This study is expected to shed light on all the planning studies undertaken within the scope of the sustainable management of the city and the protection of ecology.

ANALISIS SPASIAL PERSEBARAN SMA DAN SMK NEGERI BERDASARKAN SISTEM ZONASI PPDB DI KOTA PEKANBARU

New Student Admissions (PPDB) with a zoning system policy have been implemented in Pekanbaru City, Riau Province. Through the Regulation of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Number 20 of 2019. The implementation of the zoning system aims to even out the number of student admissions and eliminate discrimination in certain schools. With the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), spatial data generation and analysis can be carried out. This study for spatial data was built in the form of a distribution model for SMA and SMK Negeri within the scope of Pekanbaru City. From the results of the GIS analysis shows that the distribution of SMA and SMK Negeri in Pekanbaru City is not evenly distributed in every district, from theanalysis, it is buffer found that there are still many residential areas that cannot be reached by SMA and SMK Negeri, and analysis thiessen polygon shows that most of them are schools already have different coverage areas in determining school zoning.

Production of Flood Risk Maps of Inebolu Basin Using Different Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Methods

Flood events, which are considered as natural disasters, cause significant loss of life and property throughout the world. In order to be fully prepared for the flood, which is a disaster of meteorological origin, it is necessary to create flood risk susceptibility maps. Flood risk susceptibilities are values determined by considering different criteria that may cause flooding. Determining the weights of these criteria is also a problem that needs to be addressed. Due to the hierarchical structure of the aforementioned criteria, the problem of determining flood risk sensitivity was deemed suitable to be modeled as a fuzzy multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem, and a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) based model was used in this study. The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in basin studies is increasing day by day. Geographic Information Systems are used to collect, process and analyze existing data in order to identify potential risk areas. In this study, flood risk susceptibility maps of the İnebolu Basin, located within the borders of Kastamonu province in the west of the Black Sea Region of Turkey, were created by using different fuzzy analytic hierarchy process methods and the obtained results were compared with each other.

Dynamics of agglomeration and competition in the hotel industry: A geographically weighted regression analysis based on an analytical hierarchy process and geographic information systems (GIS) data

Research background: The effects of locating next to other establishments of equivalent activity is a decision with serious and far-reaching implications, not only from the point of view of location decisions but also with regard to competitive strategy, pricing, or promotion decisions. The literature provides evidence of the negative effects of being proximate to competitors (erosion of market share), but there are also benefits associated with the increased attraction of demand (attraction effect). This phenomenon is of particular interest in the case of hospitality, where hotel concentrations can be found around certain tourism resources, and is a crucial factor in hoteliers' decisions as they evaluate these contradictory effects. Purpose of the article: Drawing from the relevance that the confrontation between agglomeration and competition has in the hotel industry, our study aims to examine if this confrontation can be driven by geographical location and how both vertical and horizontal differentiation factors can unbalance it. Methods: Based on the use of geographical information systems and the estimation of a geographically weighted regression model with a wide dataset that includes 3,153 European hotels located in Spain, France and the United Kingdom. Findings & value added: We extend agglomeration and competition theoretical bodies related to location decisions by providing new findings about their simultaneous effect. Specifically, this study contributes to filling the gap regarding their combined effects on pricing and the conditions under which one prevails over the other. Results show that the role of geographical location and a hotel?s online reputation are more decisive differentiation factors than hotel category when explaining the asymmetry of the effects of agglomeration and competition.

The Use of Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) Technologies in Generation of Information Used to Mitigate Risks from Landslide Disasters: An Application Review

Landslides, whether induced by nature, or human activities, are one of the most prominent disasters which are of great concern in the world. They cause a lot of havoc to the environment hence a necessity to avoid them whenever possible. This literature review is basically aimed at finding out how Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies are used in avoiding landslides and risks associated with them at different levels; Challenges encountered while using GIS and RS techniques for landslide disaster risk reduction are identified; and therefore, dealing with them requires the involvement of developed countries who have the capacity to provide the necessary equipment to the developing countries that are faced with disasters. This study discusses the use of GIS and RS in mitigation of risks from landslides, and mainly points out how these techniques are applied to avoid disaster risks. Secondary data was reviewed from journal articles, institutional reports, and online publications from similar studies. GIS and RS tools are important in predicting, monitoring and managing landslide disasters. It was concluded that GIS and RS tools provide cheaper, reliable, and faster techniques of accessing spatial data in a given area, therefore regarded as essential technologies that may be necessary for predicting landslide occurrences, these technologies need to be considered in communities which are prone to landslides.

Digitalisation in everyday urban planning activities: Consequences for embodied practices, spatial knowledge, planning processes, and workplaces

The article deals with the digitalisation of planning from a sociological perspective. The authors summarise results of their international empirical research in an analysis in which they place everyday digital planning practices at the centre of their considerations, where profound and intricate affects in planning occur at the level of embodied practices, spatial knowledge, planning processes, and workplaces. The authors examine the use of digital tools at different study sites and particularly discuss how the digitalisation of planners’ actions through the use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programmes affects the way spaces are planned and how spatial knowledge is changing through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). What is striking is that on the basis of digital practices, the relationships between planning actors are being refigured insofar as planning teams often work not only locally but at the same time globally networked and thus plan translocally. This refiguration through digitalisation (Knoblauch & Löw, 2020) in its social and spatial dimensions is also reflected in the design of workplaces (including the layouts of planning offices) as is shown in the article. Finally, it is outlined that risks and potentials for planning products are unfolding today through phenomena such as the digital datafication of spatial realities and translocal planning by the globally distributed members of planning teams.

Methodology for determining coordinate points using automated software and aircraft

Engineers are currently facing questions about the use of geographic information systems or software to implement projects in a short time. The problem with using geographic information systems in construction is the relevance of the available data. An example is open sources with satellite images. This problem appeared even before satellite-positioning systems emerged. In this connection, the purpose of this article is to find the deviation of source points when performing photogrammetry with marker detection in Agisoft PhotoScan software. This method of determining coordinates using a single point and its correlation on the ground is applicable in the case of rapid calculations, where the volumes of earth masses are large enough and do not require increased accuracy at the stage of approximate calculations. As a result of the comparison of traditional and automated methods of definition of coordinates on the ground has been found an essential distinction, both in total values and in time spent for the definition of points of coordinates. The considerable difference revealed by the results of the comparison of coordinates is presented in the table as a color gradation. The average deviation between known coordinates and coordinates obtained in Agisoft PhotoScan by axes was: X=0.87%, Y=0.45%, Z=0.12%.

USING GIS DATA AND MACHINE LEARNING FOR MINERAL MAPPING. STUDY CASE, BOU SKOUR EASTERN ANTI-ATLAS, MOROCCO

Abstract. The continued demand for mineral deposits in recent years has led exploration geologists for each stage of mineral exploration; find more effective and innovative ways of processing different data types. The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allows various features, such as elevation, slope, tectonic structures, lithological units and indicator minerals of Bou Skour region, Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco to be mapped making targeted mining decisions easier. In this paper, a methodology was developed to enable the automated mapping of mineral using machine learning methods such Random Forest (RF) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) achieves approximately 98% classification accuracy on a single Intel® Core™ i5-5300U CPU core with 16GB of memory, and come up with predictive maps representing the probable potentially mineralized areas.