1. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography1 Outline: – Introduction – Principles and theory – Examples – Online SDSS Lecture 10. Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS)

2. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography2 Introduction The ultimate application? OR... is this where the previous 9 lectures have been leading? Use of GIS for environmental applications includes: 1. data management 2. characterisation and assessment 3. modelling and spatial analysis 4. management and decision support Applications 1 thru 3 culminate in 4... the end use?

3. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography3 Application or decision support? An application may end at any point – CORINE, GRID, GEMS, etc. end at 1 – descriptive/mapping exercise and EA may end at 2 – predictive modelling exercise may end at 3 – BUT they must all start at 1 and work through these stages in sequence The ultimate end application must be decision making (i.e. management) and use in support of decisions made

4. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography4 Aims of EnvSci Aims of environmental science: – to accumulate knowledge pertaining to the environment? – to understand environmental processes and linkages? Objectives of environmental science: – gather data pertaining to environmental phenomena and processes via empirical investigation? – to develop theories encompassing environmental themes? – i.e. to gain understanding and insight through study

5. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography5 Aims of EnvMan Aims of environmental management: – to prevent environmental deterioration and degradation? – to promote sustainable use of the environment? – to prevent over use or exploitation of natural resources? – to preserve environmental diversity? Objectives of environmental management: – to control the environment and/or our influences upon the environment via direct or indirect action? – i.e. putting environmental science to work!

6. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography6 Decision making or support? Decision making vs decision support – GIS can provide certain tools for assisting in the decision making process  i.e.maps/displays as means of visualising the problem  overlays as means of defining relationships  modelling as means of predicting outcomes  etc

7. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography7 …the answer GIS functions on their own are NOT decision making tools... –(i.e. they only ASSIST in the decision making process) –...therefore, GIS is not a decision making tool, it is a decision SUPPORT tool

8. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography8 Decision making Decision making: – a decision is a choice between alternatives to meet specific objectives – the alternatives may represent:  different courses of action  different hypotheses  different use of a geographical entity  etc.

9. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography9 Decision objectives Objectives are governed by management goals and in turn determine the range of alternatives – e.g. identify areas of high risk in soil erosion example in order to address the goal of preventing soil erosion – resulting alternatives may be different maps representing different management plans Process governing the way decisions between alternatives are made is the “decision rule”

10. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography10 Conflict! Making decisions to meet specific objectives often involves CONFLICT Solving these conflicts is the art of good decision making

11. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography11 Why GIS is not decision making GIS is not a decision making tool kit – to make (good) decisions requires:  knowledge & foresight  insight & intelligence  expertise, etc. – i.e. rational choice between alternatives (especially where conflicts are present) – GIS does not provide the above, BUT it can fulfil important role in decision making by providing decision support

12. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography12 Decision support is… Decision support: – role of aiding the decision making process – simplest level:  expert advice regarding a decision between alternatives – most complex level:  dedicated computer systems  i.e. decision support systems (DSS)

13. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography13 Definition of a DSS In general terms, DSS are: – computer-based systems – dedicated to a restricted but well defined area of application – systems incorporating modelling and analysis with data and database management systems – systems which do not make decisions, but facilitate logistics of decision making process – interactive systems that help decision maker systematise decision making process – providers of custom-built information – providers of user-friendly GUI with short response times

14. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography14 Developing Spatial DSS The role of GIS? – GIS is an INCREDIBLY USEFUL tool – GIS toolbox can be used to develop SDSS – SDSS retain the general characteristics of basic DSS but in addition they include:  spatial data input capabilities  storage of complex structures common in spatial data  analytical techniques unique to spatial data  cartographic output

15. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography15 Basic SDSS structure Database G.I.S Models User Interface User: expert knowledge

16. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography16 GIS as SDSS? GIS fits nicely with additional requirements of a SDSS, but still does not meet the overall requirements of a DSS – GIS do not include expert knowledge – GIS do not possess artificial intelligence (AI) – GIS have only limited spatial analysis functionality – GIS are not very user friendly – GIS are not dedicated systems

17. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography17 Question… How can we address these short-comings of GIS in developing SDSS?

18. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography18 Example: nuclear waste disposal Example of a facilities location exercise involving multiple and conflicting criteria – ideal example application for a SDSS from initial site survey through to public inquiry – problem has been approached by NIREX since 1981 and they are now on their fifth attempt  four previous failures due to poor information, poor public communication, obsession with engineering issues, etc.  why didn't they listen to me?

19. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography19 Nuclear waste… the problem

20. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography20 Nuclear waste disposal… how?

21. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography21 A GIS approach… Basic GIS/MCE site search: – identify screening (constraint) factors and their threshold criteria and use map overlay to identify areas satisfying above constraints – identify multiple site-based factors on which to optimise – establish weighting scheme for factors – run MCE routine to identify optimal or near- optimal sites – run sensitivity analyses and identify final sites – pass the buck!

22. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography22 Advantages… Advantages of such an approach are: – good at deterministic area screening – provides an application framework for MCE – MCE provides GIS with spatial analysis functionality – provides a rational and objective approach

23. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography23 Nuclear waste disposal… where?

24. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography24 Role of SDSS SDSS may be used throughout the site selection decision making process as follows: – aiding initial decision making process – public information, consultation and participation – decision support at public inquiry

25. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography25 Online SDSS If public participation is goal then need to: –maximise access to data and tools –maximise scope for public participation  at all stages of planning process  at all stages of decision process Utilise web-based GIS for SDSS

26. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography26 Examples web-based SDSS Virtual Slaithwaite WOODS Nuclear waste siting Wilderness mapping

27. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography27 Conclusions SDSS is utlimate end application of environmental GIS –development of GIS-based SDSS –online SDSS

28. Lecture 10GEOG2590 - GIS for Physical Geography28 Practical Running online SDSS –Run the eMapScholar online GIS exercise –http://www.ccg.leeds.ac.uk/teaching/nuclearwaste/http://www.ccg.leeds.ac.uk/teaching/nuclearwaste/ –You must:  Complete the full exercise  Fill in the profile form  Fill in the feedback form