Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) in Marine Spatial Planning

Transcription

1 Ryan Rezendes Dr. August and Dr. Wang NRS 509 Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing Overview and Annotated Bibliography Fall Semester 14 December 2017 Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) in Marine Spatial Planning The majority of the human population lives along the coastlines. Coastal and ocean areas are becoming increasingly utilized for a range of activities such as fishing, recreation, shipping, and offshore energy development. As our ocean usage increases policy makers, marine spatial planners, and coastal managers must have an effective planning process and framework set in place in order to make wellinformed decisions that are supported with accurate data-based models to sustainably and efficiently manage our oceans. Marine spatial planning (MSP) is an integrative, ecosystem-based approach that is designed to streamline marine-related decision-making processes while engaging all stakeholders to avoid potential conflicts. MSP is process that can greatly benefit from ever-advancing tools and technologies like a geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS). There is a wide range of valuable analytical procedures that can be used with GIS in MSP applications. For example, Deepwater Wind, the company that constructed the Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF), relied heavily on using the Ocean SAMP (special area management plan), to ease its permitting and development process. The creators of the Ocean SAMP used a GIS data platform in ArcGIS to collect, compile, and process scientific, environmental, social, economic, and cultural data on activities surrounding the BIWF site (Olsen et al.). The process of generating and overlaying maps of coastal activities allowed for more transparency and a clearer understanding. Another useful procedure is PGIS (participatory GIS), which is a means to gather and obtain information in a data-poor environment (Levine et al.). Ideally, GIS technicians get to work closely with local communities, such as a small Hawaiian community, to collect valuable traditional, indigenous, local knowledge, that maybe has never been officially logged before, to aid in coastal mapping processes. PGIS can be used as way to improve spatial knowledge and future management strategies by empowering local communities. Remote sensing also brings many features that makes it advantageous for MSP and coastal management scenarios. Airborne and satellite RS sensors can significantly improve the methods in studying spatial components in marine environments including: ecosystem health, coastal hazards, marine usage, coastal land cover and populations. This type of technology allows for data collection that could not occur otherwise. RS is already proven to be beneficial to policy makers such that, politicians and decision-makers have acknowledged the benefits of RS and are asking scientists to design sensors custom-made for specific uses considered important from economic, social, and environmental perspectives. The articles I have chosen to analyze used a variety of different GIS approaches in their studies relating to MSP. Dalton et al. demonstrated a method in characterizing different types of marine vessels in Narragansett Bay using GPS point data followed by converting it to raster format. Dalton s study is example of an overarching issue in mapping human dimensions that GIS can help solve, so we can better understand the degree how everything interconnects between human uses and the biotic/abiotic aspects of the ocean. Analyzing the synergies in spatial activities will allow for better management and planning. Several papers applied a GIS based Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) approach in order to analyze multiple factors (in this case environmental parameters) when attempting to find suitable sites for wind farm or aquaculture operation for example. This GIS-MCE method can be applied to a range

2 scenarios where variables must be interpolated onto regular grids (Gimpel et al.) GIS-based frameworks can serve as important tools not only for decision-makers, but also for providing accessible, user-friendly maps and visualizations to the public and other stakeholders. Remote sensing is another powerful tool that can and should be leveraged when formulating a marine spatial plan. There are a number of techniques and models tailored to efficiently monitor, prevent, mitigate, and assess components of MSP and coastal management. Multi/Hyperspectral analysis is a method used a lot for monitoring ocean salinity, phytoplankton biomass, and other water quality parameters. LIDAR (floating and airborne) is widely used for assessing sea level rise and analyzing bathymetry coastal risk assessment studies. These examples of RS methods display the key role RS can play in MSP and the overall sustainable management of our oceans/coasts. The use of GIS/RS is a continually evolving field that is proving to enable marine spatial planners in using valuable data and maps in order to make informed decisions about the most effective and efficient ways to manage our oceans. It allows for managers and users to better visualize the activities and usage taking place. As our population exponentially grows, there will always be a need for a comprehensive, integrated MSP. When using such applications, one must also consider the limitations. As the case in any scientific procedure, data must be collected accurately in order for models to hold truth. In addition, RS data can be subjective and therefore might require ground-truthing for an accurate model design. Overall, the use of GIS/RS heading into the future is only going to get better as technology advances and data management becomes more sophisticated.

3 Annotated Bibliography Dalton, T., R. Thompson, and D. Jin Mapping human dimensions in marine spatial planning and management: An example from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Marine Policy 34: In this paper, Dalton et al. characterized coastal areas in upper Narragansett Bay by mapping the various types of marine vessels ranging from recreational to commercial boats. Natural and ecological features have been heavily mapped throughout the bay, so the authors set out to analyze human activities, which will allow for advances in marine spatial planning (MPS). The authors were able to integrate observational surveys using a handheld GPS device into a valuable dataset. In ArcGIS, the data was then processed and categorized to create practical grid maps showing the type and number of vessels found. The authors effectively used GIS in a social science application to help visualize and demonstrate the current status of how space is being utilized in clustered bay environment. A better understanding of how we use coastal areas will allow for improved planning and management in the future for the coexistence of all bay users. Gimpel, A., V. Stelzenmuller, B. Grote, B. Buck, J. Floeter, I. Nunez-Riboni, B. Pogoda, and A. Temming A GIS modelling framework to evaluate marine spatial planning scenarios: Co-location of offshore wind farms and aquaculture in the German EEZ. Marine Policy 55: The expansion and development of renewable energy and aquaculture are two major considerations facing an exponentially growing population and various threats such as global warming and demand for sustainable protein sources. Gimpel et al. looked at the potential of combining offshore wind farms (OWFs) with aquaculture operations using marine spatial planning techniques. This was accomplished through harnessing the power of GIS modelling and multi-criteria evaluations. The authors were able to select possible co-location sites based on a GIS application that were interpolated on a grid using kriging, which incorporated environmental parameters of each suggested site. The idea of using GIS mapping approach as a tool to aid decision-makers and stakeholders make sense of spatially complex areas is proven to be valuable in determining ideal locations for large-scale, multi-use projects such as coupling OWFs with aquaculture implications. Levine, A.S. and C.F. Feinholz. Participatory GIS to inform coral reef ecosystem management: Mapping human coastal and ocean uses in Hawaii Applied Geography 59: In this study, Levine et al. discuss the importance of sociospatial information increasing the difficulty for MPS discussions. In this case, the authors investigated using participatory geographic information systems (PGIS) to achieve a more complete understanding of human uses related to coral reef management. The authors found there was a lack of data in how coastal areas in Hawaii were being utilized, however a considerable amount of local knowledge existed regarding spatial information of coastal uses/ resources. For data collection, locals were asked to participate to gather more information as to where human activity was occurring and its intensity in pertaining to its effect on coral reef management. The research team was able to work with the Hawaii Coastal Uses Mapping Project digitally document knowledge within a GIS. A total of 17 significantly relevant human uses connected to coral reef management were identified. GIS technicians were able to project an interactive basemap

4 onto a white board in which local participants could accurately share their spatial knowledge. Baseline maps were created and participants were able to digitize ESRI ArcGIS geodatabase features during mapping workshops. After the data was gridded and spatially processed in the system, final maps were created at different, but also interactive maps were made available in order to continue to track factors that can assist managers in creating ecosystem-based management plans. Levine et al. showed how valuable PGIS can be to structure a community-based management system derived from local knowledge. Olsen, S., J. McCann, and G. Fugate The State of Rhode Island's pioneering marine spatial plan. Marine Policy 45: Rhode Island s Ocean SAMP (special area management plan) is the nation s first federally accepted marine spatial plan. This plan, as an ecosystem-based management (EBM) framework, integrates GIS analysis which helps provide baseline maps taking into account all ocean users and stakeholders to minimize conflicts and ease developments such as the Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF). The Ocean SAMP streamlines permitting processes and MSP into a more holistic approach by engaging all involved stakeholder groups and by using the best available scientific data and knowledge available in a transparent methodology. During the BIWF process, McCann et al. gathered knowledge of pre-existing + new spatial information regarding commercial fishing, sailing, etc. to generate comprehensive yet friendly GIS data platforms, which produced overlays displaying fishing areas, ship/ferry routes, diving sites, and other important ocean usages detailing appropriate wind farm sites. Using visual information to attain people s attention sometimes works better than written documents. Therefore, these GIS maps proved to be accessible documents at monthly public meetings easily showing the spatial distribution of the various activities taking place around the potential wind farm site. Not only was GIS applied to mapping out stakeholder activities, GIS was also used to display favorable physical features for wind energy (i.e. areas with favorable wind speeds and wave/storm surge characteristics, bathymetry) and for identifying ecological factors (i.e. mapping marine mammal/sea turtle hot spots). The authors did a particularly good job of presenting these GIS datasets and maps at decision-making meetings. Ouellette, W. and W. Getinet. Remote sensing for Marine Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Areas Management: Achievements, challenges, opportunities and future prospects. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment 4: In this article, Ouellete and Getinet discuss the modern uses of remote sensing (RS) in marine spatial planning (MPS) and integrated coastal area management (ICAM). The use of airborne and space borne satellites allows for an effective way to collect data on environmental and socioeconomic issues such as oil spills, sea level rise, marine traffic, urbanization, and population fluxes. This paper provides a well detailed overview and flow chart of some of the RS techniques that can be harnessed for MSP and ICAM applications including: multi/hyperspectral cameras to measure ocean color, single band microwave/infrared to assess sea surface temperatures, radar to analyze marine transportation, and LIDAR to evaluate bathymetry. Ouellette emphasizes the benefits of using RS over the human eye to collect and process continuous and frequent information on ocean/coastal areas in a relatively costeffective way. For marine spatial planner and coastal managers, this article covers the ins-and-outs of RS using it as a biophysical variable monitoring tool relating to marine uses. Also, the authors pointed

5 out, RS and its full potential have not been reached yet and will inevitably play an integral role in advancing MSP and ICAM. Tuda, A.O., T.F. Stevens, and L.D. Rodwell Resolving coastal conflicts using marine spatial planning. Journal of Environmental Management. 133: This article showcases an effective way GIS enhances marine spatial planning (MSP) to reduce conflict in multi-coastal areas in Kenya. Tuda et al. used GIS to aid in showing the overlap with different coastal uses. MSP is becoming the go-to framework for addressing concerns with coastal zoning, ecosystembased management, and other areas where integrative, adaptive methods are favored over singleminded plans. During this study, the authors put forward a GIS-MCDA (multi-criteria decision analysis) approach, which combined sets of data relating to coastal environments and human activity. After data was compiled, it was through a ESRI geodatabase format. Furthermore, it was relayed to a raster map layer format and the significance, intensity, and location of a certain activity on its effect on the coastal habitat was accounted for on the map. A GIS-MCDA was found to be a good tool in collecting spatial data that let users voice their concerns and interests that was in return represented visually on a map. With a completed map, the authors were successful in an initial attempt to form a GIS based framework to optimize MSP techniques in minimizing and resolving possible future conflicts in Kenya s multi-use coastal areas. Radiarta, N. Remote Sensing and GIS approaches toward sustainable management of marine aquaculture in Indonesia Indonesian Aquaculture Journal 8:2. This article displays a combination of both GIS and RS applications to aid in marine spatial plans regarding siting, zoning, and decision-making processes aquaculture operations. The author shows how aquaculture planning can overcome spatial challenges with GIS and RS technologies. Under the RS section, low resolution ocean color data of Sea Wifis and MODIS were utilized to analyze water quality data as well as medium resolution (Landsat) data. In addition, this data was combined with data from ALOS AVNIR which was used in a multi-criteria evaluation to assess the suitability of scallop culture in a given area. GIS tools were used to create data layers in evaluating suitability involving water quality and socio-infrastructure information. With the several case studies presented in this paper, it can be concluded that advances in GIS and RS will continue to help resolve spatial concerns with aquaculture management.