Kirthar National Park Baseline Study

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Kirthar National Park Baseline Study Geographic
Information Systems and Remote Sensing Component
Dr. Andre Zerger Centre for GIS and
Modelling Department of Geomatics The University
of Melbourne
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Presentation outline

• My research background and research interests
• What is GIS
• GIS and the Kirthar Baseline Study
• Initial database creation
• Ongoing modelling and data input
• Final analysis and map production
• Remote sensing component
• Introduction to ArcView GIS
• Conclusions

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Department of Geomatics The University of
Melbourne

• GEOMATICS is concerned with the measurement,
  representation, analysis, management, retrieval
  and display of spatial data concerning both the
  Earths physical features and the built
  environment
• The objective of GEOMATICS is to design, build
  and manage the spatial dimension of our natural
  and built environment

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Department of Geomatics

• 10 academic staff
• 10 research staff
• 6 support staff
• 200 undergraduate students
• 60 higher degree students
• Research focus

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Research background

• BSc Geography - Monash University
• M.App.Sci - University of Melbourne
• PhD - Australian National University
• Research interests
• Spatial decision support systems
• Natural hazard modelling
• Spatial statistics and analysis
• GIS applications to natural resource modelling
• Digital elevation modelling
• Internet-based mapping and spatial modelling

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What is GIS ?

• Geographic Information Systems
• Spatial data analysis, management and modelling
• Commonly used for
• Natural resource mapping and modelling
• Performing site suitability using census data
• Crime analysis
• Health and disease studies
• Anywhere where a spatial component is a critical
  component

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Why is GIS so critical to this project ?

• A unique study is owing to its interdisciplinary
  approach
• The research will generate much spatial and
  attribute data
• An aspect common to all disciplines is the
  spatial component
• To examine and understand relationships and
  dependencies
• To identify patterns and identify causal
  relationships
• Derivation of environmental variables for making
  inferences
• Temporal change detection
• General data management and map production

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Kirthar baseline study - GIS actvities

• Establish a GIS for the Kirthar National Park
• Integration of GIS and remote sensing
• Stratification and planning of field surveys
• Development of climate surfaces for the region
• Develop a digital elevation model of the study
  area
• Establish a spatial database model for data
  storage
• Technology transfer through collaboration -
  capacity building
• Detailed maps of the national park to support
  management needs
• It will act as a pilot study for future baseline
  studies
• Introduction to databases already created

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Spatial databases currently established

• Three main phases
• Phase 1
• Current field season
• Field work spatial data support
• Phase 2
• Database integration from current field season
• Spatial analysis and modelling
• Database refinement - improve resolution of DEM
• Interpolate rainfall surfaces
• Phase 3
• Map production
• Capacity building

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Study site boundaries
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Geological Map
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Road networks
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Rivers and streams
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Contours
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Integration of GPS data
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Landsat TM satellite image
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Landsat TM satellite image
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Landsat TM satellite image classification
Classified image - water
Original image
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Aerial photography
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Two GIS case-studies

• Development of digital elevation model
• What is a DEM
• Uses of DEMs
• Key input data sources
• Final outcome
• Use of GIS for field work stratification
• Random stratified samples
• Buffers
• Integration with GPS

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Case study 1 Digital Elevation Model
1250,000 Scale Data
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Uses of a Digital Elevation Model

• Derive measure of surface slope
• Calculate aspect
• Identify climatic zones
• Study geomorphologic features
• Identify watersheds in study area
• As an input to erosion models etc.

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Key input data sets for DEM - Scale variation
150,000 Scale Contours
1250,000 Scale Contours
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Digital Elevation Model Visualisation
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Case study 2 Sample points for field work

• Botany and zoology
• Statistical significance
• GIS-based stratification
• Inclusion of buffers

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GIS data demonstrations

• Roads, rivers and contours
• Digital elevation model
• Satellite imagery
• Buffering
• Stratification
• 3D Visualisation

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Role of GIS for each component of the baseline
study

• Geomorphology - DEM, geology, slope
• Groundwater hydrology - DEM, interpolated
  rainfall
• Flora and vegetation - stratification, domains,
  buffers, logistics
• Faunal studies - stratification, environmental
  domains, buffers
• Agricultural systems - Satellite imagery, aerial
  photography
• Social anthropology - Location of villages, road
  networks
• Archaeology - human impacts, aerial photography
  site location

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However !
Field work analysis
GIS
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Key GIS data outcomes

• Topographic maps as source of elevation data
• High resolution and accurate correct DEM
• Classified and rectified satellite imagery
• Road network database
• River and stream network delineation
• Geological, geomorphology maps
• Vegetation maps
• Population maps

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Conclusion

• GIS is key to such a study
• A study that is interdisciplinary
• That will generate vast amounts of data
• A study that requires efficient data analysis
• Each component has a spatial dimension
• Capacity building
• Key to ongoing success is data currency
• This is the real challenge of such integration