The formulation of planning and management strategies in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal using a GIS-Based Decision Support System | |
| Author | Giri, Chandra Prasad |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no. SR-98-02 |
| Subject(s) | Geographic information systems Natural resources conservation areas--Nepal Annapurna Conservation Area |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Technical Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Integrated conservation area management based on the multiple land use system, integrating conservation principles in development activities in a participatory manner, is a new and innovative approach under experimentation in the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal. Despite it's ove1whelming support and success, the information component of the project is very weak. Moreover, the spatial dimension associated with biophysical and socioeconomic processes and pressures occurring in the conservation area are underestimated To ensure the sustainability of the project, the spatial and non-spatial component of information science and their interactions should not he neglected. Unfortunately very little data are available, available data are outdated, scattered and are in different formats making it difficult to use for decision making. The integrated use of Conservation Information System (CIS), Remote Sensing {RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and GIS based Decision Support System (DSS) in the past have not been demonstrated. The procedures developed so far are focussed on one or two tools for a ve1y specific use only. The main objective of the present research is to advance a methodology for informed decision making consisting of complex and interwoven conservation problems utilizing the latest technologies of information science, remote sensing, GIS and DSS. The present study suggests a unique methodology for an interactive and interconnected approach of decision making. For this, a GIS based DSS has been proposed that can handle and integrate spatial and non-spatial data, and pe1form spatial analysis, directed to formulate conservation areas planning and management strategies. During the study, existing management objectives were assessed, based on which information need was identified Information need was categorized in two groups: one for immediate use and the other for future use. Core datasets were converted into digital forms generated from analogue maps, satellite imageries and field data. A variety of biophysical and socioeconomic data were co-registered and inc01porated into a GIS based Conservation Information System. Biodiversity data obtained from the field survey was also incorporated into the system. Over 40 layers of thematic data were prepared, the primary objective of which was to collect and automate existing information in a clearly defined management context that can be used for informed decision making. By analyzing the developed comparative baseline and initial information base, data gaps were identified. A prototype Conservation Information System was developed using Simple Macro Language (SML) of ARC/INFO. The system is capable of displaying, listing and querying of spatial and attributes data. A hybrid approach of Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) has been proposed iii Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and SWOT of implementing GISIRS based DSS in ACAP were outlined Additionally, key stakeholders and their primmy interests and impacts on the successful implementation of the project were assessed The latest land use/land cover map of 1996 was prepared by interpreting Landsat 1M data in the highly rugged terrain of Nepal Himalayas. Both digital and visual image-processing techniques were deployed To minimize the inherent topographic effect of the satellite imageries, a new technique for minimizing sunlit and mountain shadow visually, was devised and utilized This will help collect training smnples representing different radiant values of each class. Furthermore, Kershaw and Fuller's recommendation of stratifying the satellite imageries into areas with different characteristics was tested. Stratification was per/ ormed based on the elevation data. Training areas were selected with and without stratification. It was found that the classification accuracy improves significantly with stratification compared to without stratification. Various GIS models and techniques were developed and tested to come up with a number of management options using GIS and GIS based DSS. The models were created and tested in an entirely new context of highly rugged terrain of Nepal Himalayas. Ecological Management Decision Support (EMDS) and IDRIS/ for Windows were used as a decision support tool. Multicriteria and multi-objective analysis was performed to solve conflicting natural resources management problems. Species richness maps of various species were prepared from the data obtained from the field invent01y. Biodiversity "Hot Spot" areas were identified by interpolating sample data obtained from the field survey using the kriging scattered data interpolation method Based on the available data and information, and their analysis using GIS modeling, G/S based DSS and quantitative and qualitative analysis, a number of conservation area planning and management strategies were formulated Effort was placed to ensure that the decision are made well, using the best information, methods and tools available. It was concluded that the methodology developed could be used as an important state-of-the-art technology tool to support decision making for effective conservation area planning and management endeavor. |
| Year | 1998 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Space Technology Application and Research (SR) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kaew Nualchawee; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Hussain, Zakir ;Morishita, Hideharu ;Blasco, Francois; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1998 |