The potential of open-source internet GIS as an in-house and out-reach communication interface in regional environmental management: exemplification from Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia
Author Sultana Nasrin Baby Student ID Number: 22123105
[email protected].
Supervisors Associate Professor Dr. Jim Peterson Senior Lecturer Dr. Xuan Zhu
A Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts in School of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Monash University
January 2012 1
Declaration This thesis contains no material, which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously written or published by any other person, except where due reference is made in the text.
Sultana Nasrin Baby
30th January 2012
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Abstract It is shown that the potential for implementation of open-source internet GIS to advance the rate of diffusion and adoption of GIS can be realised in regional environmental management if the in-house spatial database is made coherent. With the imposition of such coherence on the spatial data sets used by environmental managers on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia it is shown that all stakeholders can share data that can be imported into opensource software possessed of the requisite functionality. It is also shown that: a) Adoption of open-source internet GIS overcomes the budget constraints imposed when move is spent on software in the hope of increasing GIS adoption, and b) The visualisation functionality of the most suitable open-source software attracts those staff members, hitherto reluctant to engage in digital spatial query, to become "naive users", thereby more than doubling the in-house GIS user population and greatly increasing in-house communication of information, and setting the scene for communication among stakeholders. This is very advantageous because, in most of the agencies using GIS, there is, otherwise, a lack of critical mass among GIS users. The exemplification offered here refers to datasets and challenges common to all Victorian regions. Accordingly, it can be argued that if the approach developed in this study is widely adopted in Victoria, the community of naive GIS users will increase in ways that will enhance the rate of diffusion and adoption of GIS to rates originally envisaged by public policies first announced during the analogue-todigital conversion of mapping activity two decades ago. Advancing the stalled adoption of digital spatial data handling in regional GIS Labs is by making the power of GIS available, not only to those who should maintain and process the data, but also to the much larger body of "naive users", many of whom work in the public sector and need more access to data. Most of them represent stakeholder interests and recognise the potential offered by spatial data access and visualisation for advancing transparency in government. The assumptions underlying the idea that adoption of GIS can be promoted to a new stage of utility are: a) Constraints in diffusion and adoption by regional spatial data can be identified and overcome b) GIS with naive users is a powerful and important innovation for motivating modern data handling by PINP staff and for building the self-confidence needed to support informed decision making.
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Acknowledgement At first, I acknowledge the name of almighty ALLAH who has created me and blessed me for completing this Thesis. I would like to express heartfelt admiration to my supervisors from the Monash University School of Geography and Environment Science: Associate Professor Jim Peterson, Dr. Xuan Zhu and Dr. Shobhit Chandra. They gave me the chance as well as freedom to pursue this study. I am especially thankful to Associate Professor Jim Peterson and to fellow postgraduate candidates. I would like to thank Bass Coast Shire Council staff in general, and the GIS and data system coordinator Paul Lennox in particular, for advice and constructive criticism. Thanks also to PINP (Philip Island National Park) Ranger Jon Fallaw and his supervisor Dr. Roz Jessop for the use of their PINP data. Thank you to the Penguin Foundation, for financial support, and helpful association with the above mention people. Aerial photos were kindly provided by the Bass Coast Shire Council and the PINP, along with digital data access to the LiDAR data, and elevation datasets via the Department of sustainable development (DSE) Victorian Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) custodians. I express my gratitude for all our family members especially to my loving parents for providing their support and prayers during my endeavours. Due to their love and encouraging behaviour, I am able to meet submission requirements. I would like to say thanks to all those people that contributed in this study, and allocated their valuable time to make this work worthy of consideration.
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Table of Content Abstract Acknowledgements List of Figure List of Tables
i ii iv vi
Chapter1: Introduction 1.1 Background
1 3
Chapter 2: Problem definition and goal identification 2.1 Research Objectives 2.2 Research Questions 2.3 Opportunity and Constraints 2.4 Literature Review 2.5 Informal Discussion 2.6 Research Design
6 7 8 10 10 12 13
Chapter 3: PINP Digital Spatial Data 3.1 Issues with PINP digital spatial data 3.2 GIS data: limited use because of lack of coherence 3.3 GIS knowledge and training 3.4 In-house communication 3.5 Budget limitations and software costs 3.6 GIS development plan 3.7 Improve GIS data delivery
14 14 15 16 17 18 23 24
Chapter 4: Phillip island area Data Directory 4.1 Analysis of data directory 4.2 Issues of PINP data accuracy 4.3 Issues of Internet-based Open source GIS 4.4 Open source internet GIS for Regional Environmental Management
30 32 33 35 37
Chapter 5: Accommodating open source GIS for the naive user 5.1 GIS Solutions for PINP Regional Environmental Management 5.2 GIS for decision support: the ideal deployment 5.3 Role and benefits of GIS Regional Environmental management 5.4 GIS for Wildlife Conservation 5.5 Habitats and their communities 5.6 GIS in support of the management Action Plan
39 42 43 43 45 45 47
Chapter 6: The out-reach web GIS for naïve users 6.1PINP Research website 6.2PINP Research website Utility 6.3PINP Research website Feedback potential 6.4ArcMap Integration with Google Earth 6.5Google Earth: Functionality 6.6Testing open-source options for visualisation
86 90 90 90 91 92 95 5
Chapter 7: Exemplification: Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: Phillip Island Perspective 106 Chapter 8: Conclusions and Recommendations 8.1 Suggestions for future research
117 121
8.2 Research Strength:
122
APPENDIX 1, 2, 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
123
REFERENCE
150
List of Figures Figure 2.1: Iterative Cycle for monitoring research progress ………………………………
11
Figure 2.2: Sources of literature review……………………………………………………
12
Figure 2.3: Research Design………………………………………………………………
13
Figure 4.1: Open source Internet GIS………………………………………………………
38
Figure5.1: Phillip Island Natural Park………………………………………………………. 40 Figure 5.2: Sample DEM-based views of Phillip Island
41
Figure 5.3: Phillip Island Fauna Reserves Habitats…………………………………………
47
Figure 5.4: Banding of Adult and Juvenile Bird, Short-tailed Shearwater: a borrow nesting migratory bird…………………………………
47
Figure 5.5a: Short-tailed Shearwater Light strategy Cape Woolamai area....................................... 48 Figure 5.5b: Short-tailed Shearwater Light strategy Surf Beach area.............................................. 49 Figure 5.5c: Short-tailed Shearwater Light strategy Summerland area .......................................... 49 Figure 5.6a: PINP shearwater mapping Ventnor Beach :20-06-05 to 22-06-05......................
51
Figure 5.6b: Shearwater weeds type, slope and weed height integrated to yield a map……
52
Figure 5.7a: Penguin Track and Burrow mapping 2009 ......…………...................................
53
Figure 5.7b: Penguin Track and Burrow mapping 1982...........................................................
54
Figure 5.8: Penguin Burrow status with roof and vegetation height report. Mention the specific application to penguin management…………………………………………………
55
Figure 5.9: Penguin tracking map …………………………………………………………
56
Figure 5.10: Little Penguins (a, b)…………………………………………………………… 56 Figure 5.10c: Wild land management.........................................................................................
57
Figure 5.10d: Penguin Parade weeds to 2003....................................................................................... 58 Figure 5.11: Catching Koalas from Phillip Island…………………………………………….. 59 Figure5.12: Dog regulation and Hooded Plovers area ……………………………………… 6
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Figure 5.13Koala Conservation centre …………………………………………………… ..... 61 Figure 5.14 Seal rock …………………………………………………………………….......
63
Figure 5.15 Phillip Island Fox density map and PINP Ranger with coordinated fax……… .. 64 Figure 5.16: Cowes area Vegetation map……………………………………………………... 66 Figure 5-16a: Cowes area tree density map………………………………………………….
66
Figure 5.17: Cowes area Roadside tree data collection ……………………………………....
67
Figure 5.18: Pre 1788 Wetlands within the Phillip Island Zone ……………………………
69
Figure 5.19: Past Plant activity………………………………………………………………
70
Figure 5.20: A flowchart depicts the Key components of Wildfire Risk Assessment................
73
Figure 5.21: Block diagram for the mapping, the prevention and management of fires by GIS application....................................................................................................................................
73
Figure 5.22: Phillip Island Bush fire prone Areas……………………………………………
74
Figure 5.23: ArcGIS Explorer illustrates information collected in the field identifying damaged structures and includes the terrain profile and site-specific photos……………………………
76
Figure 5.24: GPS enabled digital cameras were used to document properties searched after the Australia bush fires…………………………………………………………………………… 77 Figure 5.25: Seagrove_2002 Air photo 0.35cm Res building…………………………………
79
Figure 5.26: Seagrove_2004 Air photo 0.35cm Res building…………………………………
79
Figure 5.27: Seagrove_2006 Air photo 0.15cm Res building…………………………………
80
Figure 5.28: Seagrove_2009 Air photo 0.15cm Res building………………………………
80
Figure 5.29: Seagrove_2009 LiDAR data create DSM. ………………………………………
81
Figure 5.30: Fly Neighbourly Advice (FNA) ………………………………………………… 83 Figure 6.1: The Concept of PINP GIS website……………………………………………..........88 Figure 6.2: Example of PINP Research website……………………………………………........89 Figure 6.3: The concept of layers now in Google Earth……………………………………….. 95 Figure 6.4: Global Mapper data open file format……………………………………………...... 97 Figure 6.5: Generic ASCII Text File Import Option………………………………………........ 97 Figure 6.6: Cape Woolamai DEM with Building vector layer ………………………………...... .97 Figure 6.7: A quick 3D view for example…………………………………………….................. 98 Figure 6.8: Summerland area Path Profile/Line of sight……………………………………… 98 Figure 6.9: Seagrove Area 2002 0.35cm Airalphoto 2D and LiDAR 2010 3D visualisation……. 98 Figure 6.10: Export Web Format Google Earth ……………………………………………...... 99 Figure 6.11: Export vector data ……………………………………………................
...
99
Figure 6.12: LiDAR topography with the high-resolution satellite image in Google Eart............... 99 Figure 6.12a: PINP system viewers……………………………………………............................ 100 Figure 6.13: Extrusion Value……………………………………………....................................... 100 7
Figure 6.14: Tree and Building data collection from LiDAR 3D visualisation Cowes area…… . 101 Figure 6.15: Summerland area LiDAR topography in Google Earth. ………………..................... 101 Figure 7.1: 3D representation of the topographic DEM data Ventnor and Cows area………....... 109 Figure 7.2: What are some of the risks, impacts and consequences for which the models might be referred to………………………………………………………………………………............... 109 Figure 7.3: Comparison of Sea level rise at 0m AHD (top) and 10m AHD Below........................... .113 Figure 8.1: PINPresearch website comments...................................................................................
122
List of Tables Table 1.1: Common 3D geo browsers with supported technologies. ……………………………….4 Table 2.1: PINP GIS application plan…………………………………………………… …… . 21 Table 2.2: Bass coast current GIS application …………………………………………………… 21 Table 4.1: PINP Coast data information………………………………………………………… 30 Table 4.2: PINP Aerial photo and LiDAR data information……………………………………
31
Table 4.3: PINP KML (Google Earth) data information………………………………………… 31
Table 4.4: Issues emerging in data management and application at the PINP………………… . 33 Table 7.1: Climate change factsheet Feb2011…………………………………………………….107 8
Chapter 1: Introduction From reading the Monash University School of Geography and Environmental Science, Centre of GIS research publications, http://careers.monash.edu.au/assets/docs/round-5-lead-or-follow.pdf including Wheeler (et. al, 2011) it can be argued that the steady diffusion and adoption of GIS, envisaged by public policy (first declared in Canberra two decades or so ago) has become inhibited. An explanation can be offered as outlined in the following derivative step-by-step argument: a)
There is failure of many third-tier environmental management agency officers untrained in GIS to take advantage of access to digital spatial data and related data handling tools. Most have not taken the first step to become naïve GIS users.
b) Therefore the scope for a critical mass of GIS users to form is constrained. c) If such a critical mass formed, the cost of meeting the demand for extra software licenses would be an inhibition that would not be easily overcome and d) In the face of such an impasse both technical and institutional issues must be addressed before the level of adoption and diffusion of GIS as envisaged by policy can be achieved. This argument emerges from survey results reported in Wheeler (et al, 2011). They amount to a 2009 assessment of the status of digital spatial data handling among corporate third tier (government owned) agencies and government regional agencies. This was twenty years after the Commonwealth Government mandated the establishment of State Government geographic data coordination committees to instigate the adoption of digital information age methods in mapping Goodchild (2004). It was clear at the time, that the new policy was established in recognition that the new data handling technology offered significant potential for improved decision support. The first responses to these initiatives have seen the establishment of digital state spatial data infrastructures at Commonwealth and State level of responsibility at their respective and agreed-upon scales of mapping (small and medium). In contrast, at the detailed scale of mapping that would serve the regional and local environmental managers best, and as demonstrated by Wheeler (et al, 2011), the adoption of digital spatial data handling in information management has, in many cases, become not much more than superficial. It is in this regional context that diffusion and adoption of GIS has faltered. The survey referred to above provides some indicators of use in searching for explanations. The survey was of public sector 9
agencies/labs in Victoria responsible, among other things, for bringing public policy in environmental management to practice. One of the most important of those policies is Integrated Coastal and Catchments Management (ICCZM). The data collected during this survey (Wheeler et al, 2011) was from 342 people involved in the Victorian ICCZM decision support system at the regional and local level. Of 342 respondents, 57% claim no coastal science education/training. Only 8% claim professional development training (indicating a lack of agency provision of Professional Development). Only 17% have undergraduate, and only 9% have post-graduate coastal science education (see Appendix 4). Of the GIS officers included in the survey (n=77): 75% have no coastal science education/training. 8% have coastal education (both undergraduate/post-graduate level are included here). 3% have Professional Development level training (perhaps no more than a few days). With regard to the aggregated responses from Coastal and catchment GIS officers: 32% indicate poor/very poor ICZM understanding; 53% do not know what ICZM is; 70% do not know what 'adaptive management' is; 40% do not know what 'ecologically sustainable development' is. In other words, they know the IT but not the science behind the data. (http://careers.monash.edu.au/assets/docs/round-5-lead-or-follow.pdf) (Appendix 4) This must be part of the explanation for the gap between policy and practice in coastal and catchments management that has been identified lately e.g. see publications listed at www.monash.edu.au/ges/research/gis/public/wheeler.php. Certainly the gap can be said to have been recognised by the Phillip Island Penguin Foundation when it approved a Monash University School of Geography and Environmental Science Centre for GIS Research Grant Application for support of a project designed to test the scope for imposing coherence on the Phillip Island Nature Parks (PINP) decision support database with special reference to spatial data (see Appendix 1). The project, in effect, called for; 1. An assessment of the nature of data and information flows in decision support in the PINP (with special reference to the 2006-2011 Management Plan), and 2. An analysis of the data flows with special reference to coherence and communication, and 3. An assessment of scope for improvement, with special reference to bridging the gap between the spatial data custodians who understand the IT (in the case of the data supply for PINP, these 10
officers are in Melbourne DSE Central Business District labs) and those for whom the data was built but according to generalised producer-defined (albeit digital) specifications that refer to the Victorian SDI (Rajabifard, 2007) and 4. An assessment of the scope for improving the diffusion of digital spatial data handling within the PINP community and for establishing an interface through which relevant data can be shared with all stakeholders. Clearly, visualisation would be involved, and for that, a sound spatial database is a pre-requisite. Thus the scene was set for research project formulation with a focus on increasing the GIS user population among decision support teams:
“The potential of open-source internet GIS as an in-house and out-reach communication interface in regional environmental management: exemplification from Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia.” The title refers to both in-house and out-reach data sharing and spatial data visualisation. In project formulation it is recognised that, unless obvious accountabilities can come to be ignored, the impasse mentioned above calls for exemplification of a technical solution, and that until recently, an obvious option (deployment of free-ware/open source software) was not likely to be very satisfactory because the functionality, especially in terms of visualisation, was not included (Douglas, 2004). Recent improvements offer solutions to the problem posed by such constraints. Amongst these, the internet with web GIS under free-ware greatly extends deployment of spatial data to naïve users both from in-house and in the community that would respond to out-reach initiatives and at very little extra cost. However first, the spatial data has to be fit to share with the naïve users (Wilcox, 1999).
1.1 Background Internet GIS is a research and application area that utilises the internet to facilitate the access, processing, and distribution of geographic data and spatial analysis knowledge. The adoption of Internet GIS is affecting the nature and deployment of GIS in three major areas: GIS data access, spatial information dissemination and GIS modelling/processing (Peng and Tsou, 2003). It has increasingly been recognised that future developments in GIS will centre on Internet GIS (Peng and Tsou, 2003; Plewe, 1997). Most GIS vendors have developed their own Internet GIS software: the list of main vendors includes ESRI (ArcIMS and ArcGIS Server) Intergraph (Geomedia Web Map) Autodesk’s Map Guide, MapInfo’s MapXtreme and GE Small World Internet GIS Application Server (Mahmoud, 2007). These open source 11
Internet GIS modules provide proprietary ways to allow users to access, display and query spatial data over the web but can be expensive to install. Google Earth is one of a family of three-dimensional “3D” geobrowsers (that includes Microsoft’s Virtual Earth, NASA’s World Wind and ESRI’s ArcGIS Explorer: see Table 1) that offer a free and easy way to visualise a 3D digital model of the earth via the Internet (Vries, 2004). It is readily extended to act as an output medium for a wide range of products that contain spatial data and it facilitates data access and spatial information dissemination. APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) give web developers access to the map functionalities. In contrast to traditional GIS (comprehensive desktop systems generally acquired through licensing agreements) the modules that are available via the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC: a non-profit, international, voluntary consensus standards organization that is leading the development of standards for geospatial and location based services) are not proprietary and use attracts no licence fees (Andrew, 2009). The advent of Google Earth has been termed ‘the democratisation of GIS’, because it has exposed geographic information technology to virtually everyone. A growing number of scientists now use 3D geobrowsers because they enable data with a spatial component to be overlain on top of remotely sensed imagery (Butler, 2006; Goodchild, 2008). The release of the KML (Keyhole Mark-up Language) specifications has allowed more sophisticated use of such service. KML is an XML (Extensible Mark-up language) language focused on geographic visualization, including annotation of maps and images. KML Version 2.2 has been adapted as an OGC3 implementation standard and is complementary to most of the key existing OGC standards including GML (Geography Markup Language), WFS (Web Feature Service) and WMS (Web Map Service). Currently, KML 2.2 utilizes certain geometrical elements derived from GML 2.1.2, including, the line string, linear ring, and the polygon. The OGC and Google have agreed that there can be additional harmonization of KML with GML (e.g. to use the same geometric representation) in the future (Wilson, 2008). Geobrowser
KML Support
JavaScript Support
Flash Support
Yes
Full HTML Support Yes
Google Earth
Full
Google Earth Plug-in NASA World Wind Arc GIS Explorer Microsoft Virtual Earth
Intermediate Limited Limited Limited
Yes No No Yes
No No No No
Yes No No No
Yes
Table 1-1: Common 3D geo browsers with supported technologies. By supporting these technologies, geobrowsers have the potential to be used for Internet GIS (Dragicevic, 2004). Only Google Earth supports all of the current enabling technologies. From of data Integration from a range of sources (qualitative and quantitative) insightfully displayed via a geobrowser, 12
new insight is gained. Unlike other 3D geobrowsers Google Earth supports a number of technologies that enable its use for Internet GIS. Table 1 lists the common 3D geobrowsers and the support offered in terms of enabling technologies (Butler, 2006). This 3D Visualisation also aims to provide answers to the following question
Who are the end-users? What are the goals and tasks of the end-users? What is the users’ experience level? What types of functionalities do the users want to use? What information do the users want to access and in what form?
Since the centralised custodianship of spatial data to which Goodchild (2009) refers was imposed on natural resource managers in Victoria (about 20 years ago) there has been such progress in standardising mapping applications that the potential for GIS to aid decision support has become obvious. Thus, diffusion has arrived. However, actual adoption, decision support team by team, is unlikely to be successful unless other pre requisites can be met. Accordingly, those seeking to explain the gap between diffusion and adoption must assess institutional context.
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Chapter 2: Problem definition and goal identification In the early days of GIS, those monitoring the industry with regard to how users interact with the command line tools put not much emphasis on extending the GIS user base. Success depended on access to data once the hardware and software pre requisites had been provided (Fuhrmann, 2004). Most attention referred to study about gathering and presenting more and more geographical data. However, today, research on geographical data use is increasingly focused on how users interact with this data. Before the internet revolution, GIS was only developed and used by specialists and persons who were somewhat fluent in understanding geographical terminologies (MacDonald, 2004). However, when GIS became available on the web, the user base expanded dramatically and now it is not only for geographers or others who know geographical terms and understand the science behind the data, but also for naïve users. With the expansion of the pool of targeted users to include those from a wide variety of skills and knowledge, there is a need for more emphasis on
base design for delivery of what GIS has to offer
(Vretanos, 2005). Although great advancements have been made concerning technical aspects and the collection of geospatial information, there is a lack of research on the nature of human interaction with GIS and related behaviour factors. Deployment of three-dimensional visualization largely depends upon the ability of the user to understand what GIS has to offer. However, most of the GIS applications are not commonly part of organisational outreach (Mark and Frank, 2003) and so the call for it, user group by group, may not be great unless needed to integrate the decision support. However, the use of GIS is increasing day by day, and calls to make GIS accessible online to almost every user is gaining momentum. Clearly the first step in answering such a call is to include web GIS in outreach activities ( Meltz, 2008) page 151. Adoption of an interface that would serve both the operation of “data-base building engines” and their expert users as well as the naïve users would probably see the spatial data user community greatly increase in numbers and influence, especially if visualisation techniques are brought to stakeholder consensus-building meetings. At least two ways to enhance the accessibility of 3D visualization (Wickramagamage, 2002) are immediately available; either serves to introduce the non-expert users to GIS, especially if the technology is embedded in the research design. Enhancement of accessibility is constrained by the existence of any lack of understanding of GIS terminologies among users, but this understanding can be increased by what amounts to “discovery learning” among adopters (Alias, 2002) . Yet another issue is that while making 14
GIS more user friendly, the data integrity should not be compromised. The range of users includes people of all GIS abilities and intent, and some of the differences concern the difference between users in utility and appeal of web GIS. This implies users will, in total, call for a range of applications according to their particular situations. Among the PINP web GIS users (whose reactions to new access to GIS data via the web GIS is a focus of one phase of the present study) there will be an expectation of clarity and usability. However, without access to applications, user demands will be unsatisfied. In this thesis, I have discussed the open source GIS issues faced by users with a range of background knowledge and social/user environments. Today many web based GIS applications are available to use (Dravis, 2003). General ease of understanding will be documented via identification of problems faced by the general users while interacting with these applications. The web-based GIS application, Google Earth, has been chosen for the case study.
The role of GIS has increased in daily life especially in the areas of natural resource crisis management and emergency management because in these situations everyone has to interact with spatial data to get geospatial information. Therefore, the goal of the PINP study is to explore issues related to the accessibility of GIS when the open source internet approach is taken to information sharing and dissemination. The focus must be the identification of common problems faced by naïve users in using GIS applications. In this way, the common design attributes for GIS applications to be made accessible for all types of the PINP web GIS users can be better identified. Thus, the importance and needs of the end-users in all phases of the GIS development is never lost sight of (Meehan, 2003). In summary, the project goal could be said to be to identify shortcomings that can be tuned to increase the accessibility of information to all stakeholders. Accordingly, GIS terminology may have to be “translated” into common language to make GIS applications accessible to everyone. This is part of solving the problem that besets regional environmental managers wishing to increase return on investment in GIS by extending the agency GIS community by including the naïve users without further significant investment (Peterson, 2009).
2.1 Research Objectives 1. To identify the problems and constraints faced by regional environmental management agencies intent on adopting GIS to grater advantage than offend by superficial installation. 2. To develop an open source GIS approach. 3. To diffuse digital spatial data handling to up-grade decision support for the PINP community. 15
4. To apply test results to the problem of extending the utility of spatial data to the naïve GIS users. 5. To assess the implications of the outcomes with regard to decision support in regional environmental management agencies. 6. To promote sharing of GIS resources within PINP and other Phillip Island stakeholder organizations. 7. To create data directory tables where location and attribute data can be effectively represented and visualized using GIS for decision-making.
2.2 Research Questions 1. Why is the current adoption of GIS tools in so many mainstream enterprises so undeveloped? 2. What is the main accessibility issue in open source GIS? Can a PINP research website assist and benefit Park managers? 3. How can PINP management benefit from a GIS data directory? 4. How can GIS support Management Action Plans? 5. Can Google Earth facilitate in 3D Visualization in aid of decision support? There are three main contextual questions: A. Why, after twenty years of public policy promotion of the adoption and diffusion of digital spatial data handling in Australia, is the gap between potential utility and actual deployment so wide among third-tier public agencies (even in Victoria, the best mapped state of Australia) and among regional offices that report to higher levels of government, all of which have adopted the information-age methods? As the research so far shows, adoption has taken place at the PINP but the gap between what policy envisaged and what is actually achieved is very evident, both in house and among clients. In the search for explanation, the following questions have been asked and answered. 1. Why is there a poor level of adoption of GIS tools in PINP? [There is only one ArcGIS seat and one part-time person responsible for data maintenance and processing] 2. Now we have Web2, how can the PINP research website be configured to assist staff in managing the Park in ways that bring better return on the data-handling investment? [In-house staff and some stakeholders welcome the idea that such a configuration makes them ready to 16
share data] 3. There is a need for PINP to have a GIS data directory: once provided, will it be used to best effect? [Probably, but the answer to this question will require future and on- going evaluation] 4. To what extent will GIS support for the current Management Action Plan be improved if the data directory is made familiar to PINP staff? 5. To what extent will 3D visualization improve support for management decision making? 6.
If 3D visualizations are adopted, how much stakeholder training will be necessary for it to become routine practice.
B. The PINP has failed to adopt the full power of GIS in decision support: what mitigation measures are available for demonstrating the advantage of adoption? 1. How many PINP staff actually use GIS? [Only one, despite the fact that a range of Penguin Foundation-funded Research students assists PINP staff] 2. What constraints are inhibiting the PINP spatial data custodian from realising the potential of GIS in decision support? [Does that person have of access to useful data, and GIS functionality?] Many in-house PINP staff and research students wish to have access to the data, but much of it is not fit to share at the moment .When a data directory becomes available, access will remain limited unless some way of sharing data that is fit to share can be devised. C. In theory, Web 2.0 deployment of the latest Google Earth or any of the other open-source digital spatial data handling tools, will close the gap between policy and practice, but is the cultural/institutional context ready for this solution? I refer to a statement from Goodchild (2009) page 23 but see also Goodchild (2007): “It is local communities, not national mapping agencies that are the ultimate custodians of geographic knowledge, and the evidence suggests that they are willing, under the right circumstances, to provide it in forms that can be readily compiled and distributed. Modernists’ ideas of central authority and a single truth are increasingly outdated in a world that is growing used to the notion of multiple viewpoints, and to technologies that make it easy to maintain large quantities of potentially inconsistent data” see (Dangermond, 2004). Web 2.0 provides the opportunity to rethink many of the most cherished concepts of geographic information system production and to engage with the richness of individual geographic knowledge. Selfpromotion is clearly an important motivator of Internet activity and in its extreme form can lead to 17
the exhibitionism of personal web-cams. Despite the vast resources of the Web, it is still possible to believe that someone will be interested in one’s personal site. The popularity of some blogs can be misread as suggesting that an audience exists for any blog. At a different level, many users volunteer information to Web 2.0 sites as a convenient way of making it available to friends and relations irrespective of the fact that it becomes available to all. This may underlie the popularity of sites such as Picasa, which allow contributors of personal photographs to point others to their site, but it scarcely explains the popularity of Flicker or Wikimapia, where content is comparatively anonymous (Goodchild et. Al, 2007), page 23. Contributors to Open Street Map may derive a certain personal satisfaction from seeing their own contributions appear in the patchwork, and from watching the patchwork grow in coverage and detail, but there can be no question of self-promotion in this essentially anonymous project documentation. Even such a popular service as Google Earth has no way of informing its users of the quality of its various data layers, and it is virtually impossible to determine where any of the data or its image base was obtained (Graham, 2008). Preliminary results of this project suggest that deployment of a Web 2.0 solution should be successful, but the same could have been said about the appeal of diffusion and adaption twenty years ago when decision support systems were changing to digital mode.
2.3 Opportunity and Constraints 1. Understanding the organisational constraints for GIS adoption and diffusion. 2. Identify the approach and method that will promote diffusion of GIS and its adaption in PINP decision support. 3. Test the scope for PINP research website for promoting, educating and disseminating GIS technology. 4. Analysis of the potential of 3D visualization for enhancing management decision making. 5. Identify accessibility issues in Google Earth. 6. Assemble guidelines for web based GIS for the PINP stakeholders.
2.4 Literature Review A review of previous research brings a realisation of how wide the challenge of promoting the adoption and diffusion of GIS is, and how much the naïve users are becoming part of the process. Literature refers to all available research on this subject and “Literature Search‟ refers to the process of finding the material and a ‘literature survey ‘simply describes the literature which exists”. Adoption of modern literature survey 18
methodology is a cheap and effective way of gathering data particularly in a short period. The results may be analysed rapidly as conforms to the goal of our study (McCall, 2003). This methodology produces suitable and consistent data, which can be generalized with more assurance than might the findings of the literature search undertaken in pre-digital days. Such literature survey may be comparatively easy to manage and rarely needs any fieldwork (Taylor, 2005). I have aimed to carry out a comprehensive literature review to discover what has already been done in this field, gather data according to the objectives and then execute analysis. Research is defined as the systematic way to identify problems in this research work (Mehmood, 2002). This research process defines a layout of the research procedure. It involves a number of steps from the beginning to the end of the research. I have also followed the same layout to answer the key questions. Part of the research process concerns selection of appropriate methods for addressing the questions that I am striving to answer .The context for this field of research is decision support in natural park management. After brainstorming, I formulated the topic enhancing the accessibility of internet-based open-source GIS applications. Open source GIS is a long-standing area come to notice quickly in the mid-1990s (Butler, 1994).Consider the iterative nature of the research steps depicted in figure 2.1.
Figure 2.1: Iterative Cycle for monitoring research progress Now that Open Source GIS is useful to everyone, these research steps can be undertaken rapidly and by many individuals /groups, all happy to share their experiences. The main objective of the literature review is to learn from previous work methods and approaches taken. It provides a foundation for the research work based on the brainstorming of the previous researchers in this field. The project GIS base open source GIS and PINP research web is designed to provide information and spatial models for a range of users. For the formal literature review, different sources have been used as shown in figure 2.2.
19
Figure 2.2: Sources of literature review The most difficult contributions to find and evaluate are the presentations to user –conferences and industry conferences.
2.5 Informal Discussion In informal discussion, information is shared among those from a range of experiences and fields. This discussion is not conducted in a pre-planned way, and can occur at any stage. No rule-based layouts are necessarily followed in this discussion. During casual discussion, data is collected from users having a variety of backgrounds (Castellan, 2010). The potential users of this system are those (particularly managers) who want to make decisions using GIS. The second category comprises the body of the ordinary/casual users who interact with this system infrequently. Feedback from users has contributed to the next step in which an experiment can be performed to evaluate the accessibility issues of the application Google Earth.
20
2.6 Research Design The purposes of this research included provision to PINP, of the basis of a new Geographic Information System (GIS) Strategy, and to test its utility compared to that of the extant spatial decision support system. Accordingly, identification of PINP GIS requirements and how they can involve GIS technology to integrate data from and for a variety of projects is essential. Primarily, it is important that all those who need to use the information, acknowledge the need for a suitable Data Directory. Motivation for upgrading the decision support system refers not only to such matters but also to the need to manage the user base in the hope that the necessary support for upgrade will found as colleagues in the decision support team join the GIS users.
Figure 2.3: Research Design In considering Figure 2.3, it can be noted that the project starts with a phase referring to GIS development (Stutheit, 1990) .The need for such development is dictated partly by the adequacies of the extant decision support system.
21
Chapter 3: PINP digital spatial data 3.1 Issues with PINP digital spatial data
PINP GIS Data sets include those of primary importance for PINP activities
Vic Map products, Oil Spill Response Atlas, Commissioned mapping and associated reports i.e. Vegetation Community mapping, Rare Plant mapping
PINP has assembled the best bathymetry, geomorphology, soils, assets datasets available from various sources, but the scale of the maps is too small for detailed analysis.
LiDAR and (scanned) Aerial photo data is available, but the GIS operator is not trained to use the LiDAR and the air photos are used via interpretation rather than for pixel classification of multi -Spectral photomaps/imagery.
Some key databases contain errors. Moreover, duplicated themes, from different sources do not overlay well and so, although they plot to hard-copy in a serviceable way, they lack topological consistency: for instance, snapping errors are noted and must be eliminated before the data set can be used in GIS.
Solution: GIS metadata assembly and data integration: an account derived from interpreting answers to the questionnaire reported from the GIS Officer (Appendix 1) after inspection of the geo-data accessible to him, and discussion of terms and tasks
For the PINP there is a clear need to create compatible datasets mainly related to the management of crown land, i.e. pest plant and pest animal management, park access and infrastructure, proposed developments, education and interpretation, research into native plant and animal/bird populations and movements, vegetation management i.e. ecological burns, risk assessments, asset management; to cite the assessment of the spatial data handlers at PINP. As commented by the few GIS users,
“With limited resources, we find it a challenge to keep our in-house datasets up to date. Some datasets are not complete i.e. weed and shearwater (and other bird species) nesting grounds mapping, while others need to be revised to remain current: i.e. tracks, needs buildings and other infrastructural assets.”
A GIS data directory (all PINP spatial and attribute, GPS, Field data, video, Image, CAD drawing, Research Model, hardcopy maps and plans etc.) is lacking.
Technical map registration is lacking.
Comments and interpretations offered by these completing the survey (see appendix 1) 22
included: “I want to build-up a geodatabase in the native data structure for ArcGIS because it is the primary data format used for editing and data management”
“There is a failure to realise that it is extremely important to eliminate rigidities by using the correct origin for a project. Otherwise it may be impossible to provide quality output with the correct data and/or data information.”
“It is clear that there is a need to check all types of data for quality control: except for the SDI metadata online, the metadata is neither well kept, nor easily accessible.”
3.2 GIS data: limited use because of lack of coherence (Common geo-referencing and corporate database management) GIS Applications Limitation:
PINP GIS activity is based upon:
a) Single ESRI ArcView, licence provided for data building editing, layout viewing and Data viewing and b) One ArcPad unit for GPS field data collection.
The additional functionality needed to increase ability to analyse/compare and share datasets is not provided.
Only one GIS person is available to manage the significant amount of data/updating of datasets and to promote its use by PINP staff, even though the policy about adopting information age methods has been in place for decades.
PINP currently has no GIS data integration or database/corporate system interfaces
PINP staff is not aware of the value of data sharing and data integration between management entities or stakeholders.
Solution: GIS Application plan:
Access to ArcGIS extensions: (XTools Pro, Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, Network analyst, LiDAR Analyst) would greatly advance the data building tasks that face the GIS officer. Perhaps the tasks outside the functionality of the Arc View tool-kit could be sent to the central DSE GIS lab.
Database/corporate system interfaces could be installed to advantage.
Adopt data extraction tools for easy data capture, cleaning, editing, and other proper data management tasks. 23
Habitat planning, animal movement, alternate routes analysis and extension mapping could be implemented with available tools.
GIS data Visualization applications could be used to great effect.
Clearly, PINP staff would benefit from time spent in training in digital spatial data handling.
3.3 GIS knowledge and training GIS Knowledge and Training limitation:
Available only once every few years or so. External training need (if identified) is on an ‘as needed’ basis, but ignorance is no basis from which to identify need.
GIS software support is online via the software provider. General software and hardware support is managed by a local company. This is not responsive enough system to rely on, day to day, the supporting budget being limited to system administration tasks.
Solution: relevant GIS training plan and implementation of Web GIS. All kinds of GIS training, especially GIS environmental management solutions have been planned for PINP staff and some have been followed. It is in the interests of all stakeholders to take the initiative here because the central authorities are not showing any inclination to adopt the neogeography (i.e. "detailed and integrated geography”) that decision support calls for:
Integration of the spatial data into information flows between all parts of the organisation.
Web based GIS could be introduced.
Working in the 3D environment, Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst can be supported.
The GIS officer should participate in all GIS and Environment related free training, conferences, and workshops, some of which are provided by DSE itself.
Create a National Park GIS solution website: see below: (http://www.pinpresearch.webs.com)
Querying and Reporting: PINP GIS staff members are already able to generate the following themes for generating reports:
Penguin: burrow and artificial burrow number and location, impact of shearwater nesting on penguin distribution.
Fire: firebreak location, ecological burn planning and results, wildfire incident reports.
Pest plants: identifying the threat weeds pose to the park natural asset/values i.e. shearwater/kikuyu proximity and overlap, invasive Tall-wheat Grass proximity to rare plants. Some of these reports are used for assembling contractor tenders and briefs.
Pest animals: proximity of fox dens to residential areas and food supply, sand pad location. Cat 24
eradication trap arrays and results.
Shearwater: distribution across the island. Street lighting plan to reduce rate of shearwater landings on roadways.
Summerland Landscape Plan.
Rhyll Waste Transfer Station progress report.
Suitable habitat for bandicoot and potoroo.
Wetland Survey.
Rare or threatened plant Surveys i.e. Rhyll Inlet, Fishers Wetland, Newhaven Swamp, Ventnor Koala Reserve, Cape Woolamai.
Vegetation Community mapping.
Problems with maintaining the spatial database for reporting: Limitations of generated Reports:
Current assets report is not based on full inventory.
Management reports i.e. flora and fauna e.g. weed, revegetation, signage, and other control-ofaccess facilities especially need to be detailed in the asset inventory.
Solution: adopt a Querying and Reporting data support generation plan:
Create new tools: select by attributes and select by location, overlay and proximity
Adopt the Make Query Table tool: it applies an SQL query to a database and the results are represented in a layer or table view. The query can be used to join several tables or return a subset of columns or rows from the original data in the database.
Install database servers, which can service SQL Server Express that store ArcSDE geo-databases.
ArcSDE is expensive but we can use free capabilities of PostGIS. Spatial databases offer many of the same features as PostGIS, and the OpenGeo application layer (GeoServer) and can integrate with them directly.
Oracle Spatial
DB2 Spatial
ESRI ArcSDE
Microsoft SQL Server Spatial
MySQL Spatial
3.4 In-house communication Communication Limitation between management and the GIS Unit:
Management input to project planning is inhibited if consultation with staff (by either email or 25
meetings) and stakeholders cannot be in reference to a common spatial data model.
Solution: Better communication plan:
Adopt open-source internet GIS as a communication interface in regional environmental management for building consensus in aid of better decision or policy making, as well as better policy implementation “on the ground”.
3.5 Budget limitations and software costs GIS budget limitation:
The software support and hardware budget (less than $5000) is inadequate, but software up-grade is too expensive.
Spatial data handling tasks of this Nature Park demands the attention of a full-time GIS officer who understands the science as well as the spatial data handling tool: at present there is no full time GIS officer (it is an @0.5 position) and software/hardware is part of general budget codes and so is vulnerable to cost cutting without consideration of the incremental nature of the support needed to maintain the data flows.
Solution: adopt a “Without-Cost” GIS development plan:
Increase the size of the naïve users community by introducing free and Open Source Internet GIS(Google Earth)
Adopt a structure system analysis design method (SSADM). (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SSADM.html)
This research applies in accord with SSADM to:
Ensure that PINP research can maintain their scheduled plans.
Try to develop overall better GIS data quality systems.
Try to improve the way data Quality control methodes are applied.
Monitor data flows so as to identify ways to make the GIS Development plan more effective.
Make tools for automating time-consuming routine spatial query and analysis tasks.
Try to Improve GIS communication between the PINP GIS officer and data users, both 26
scientists and management people. System analysis: The in-house GIS is not only deployed for map production, but also for integrating spatial information more closely with DSE and Shire corporate systems, the latter being well serviced by a team of four specialists who meet all decision support requests on a routine basis, and in such a way that all stakeholders can , as appropriate, access the same model. In contrast, to the local government stakeholder contribution to spatial data handling and sharing (inhouse and otherwise) there is a need for PINP to up-grade scope to collaborate and share data among internal customers. At present, their need is not being met, and even less so can any outreach activity be readily supported by P INP. The requirements are routinely implementable: managers and naïve users need to be able to browse/ look-up standard reports, conduct simple query, and take advantage of read -only access, and the tools of simple map production Further advantage that accrues from adoption of this approach to configuring the in-house GIS System is that park rangers and officers can also use it for any particular integrated mapping application, which benefits from access to the 2D and 3D data visualization (Hearnshaw, 1994). System description: a) Architecture
Geo database handling from ArcMap (Spatial administration and data management application).ArcPad for Mobile computing application.Global mapper Spatial data management, web data application. LiDAR DEM Modelling uses open source software (FUSION, Surfer, PointVue LE)
New tools to be programmed (eg Animal movement and habitat range mapping tools for use with ArcMAP Extension) on demand.
Google Earth (The internet based open source GIS facilitates access, processing, and distribution of geographic data and spatial analysis knowledge) deployed for dissemination of GIS data, spatial information and models.
27
b) System implementation
PINP staff would benefit from time spent in training in digital spatial data handling via the naïve users interface (e.g. Google Earth).
The PINP research website is to be configured to include different data handling and modelling training modules with “test data” (PINP GIS service).
What kinds of spatial information do you need to service the digitally-naïve mass user? The naïve users include the agency staff who have not taken GIS training and who are thereby cut-off from the authoritative editing of spatial data. These people are very frustrated and know that more efficiency can accrue if they can become naïve users. As such, their needs may be satisfied by gaining access to what amounts to the “5-button GIS”. The satisfaction would come from being able to display on their own desktop PC, and on demand, up to five or so of the data layers of most relevance to them. Clearly, “the list of (5)” will vary from user to user. For instance, the fox control team would be primary data custodian for known fox dens and bait trails (data capture by ArcPad) and will want to relate the den pattern to data sets referring to food sources (e.g. rubbish collection areas) vulnerable nesting bird areas (such as the ground-nesting Hooded Plover) roads and tracks, land tenure, fox-death sites and fox kill sites, the latter data acquired from PINP staff and community members. All stakeholders must relate to the same model if they want to avoid talking at cross-purposes. Now that a very authoritative DEM is available, everything can relate to the same model, it can be referenced to when thematic overlays are displayed during stockholder meetings. PINP Data flow Table 2.1 Input data-from PINP digital spatial data (Shape file) (includes SDI) +GPS+ LiDAR coverage + aerial photography (hard copy to be digitised and rectified) Process data-manual for data creation +Geodatabase +GPS data, add Geodatabase+ LiDAR data processing + Orthophoto preparation +create extra tool for data editing. Output-Data directory with all information+KML+3D web+ sample map (PINPresearch web) +maps viewable on the web (use open source). Software cost analysis Costing:
options for software choice if PINP decides to increase the GIS user base: 28
Exemplification from Bass Coast Shire Council (see Table 2.2) Table 2.1: PINP GIS application plan (under each table mention the source and color Code enterprise,open source,extension,mobile GIS) Applicatio
Supplier
n ArcPad ArcGIS
ESRI
Version
Number
Number
of
Licence
Licences
fee
Latest
ESRI
Latest
2
Description
Mobile
1
GIS Integration with
computing
All relational corporate
application
databases
Spatial administration
All relational corporate
Spatial
and data management
databases
Analyst,
application
3D
LiDAR Modelling
Annual
Inc Below Inc Below
eg
Analyst ArcView
ESRI
Latest
1
Spatial administration
All relational corporate
and data management
databases
application
2560
eg
LiDAR Modelling Google
Google
Latest
unlimited
Earth
The internet base open
All relational corporate
source GIS give facilitate
databases
the
access,
and
processing,
distribution
geographic
Free
data
spatial
of and
analysis
knowledge. The Internet is affecting GIS main area is: GIS data access, spatial information dissemination and
GIS
modelling/processing
Table 2.2: Bass coast current GIS application Applicati
Supplier
on
Version
Number
Numbe
Licences
of
Description
GIS
Integration
with
Annual fee
r
MapInfo
Pitney
Latest
Unlimited
Spatial
All
Profession
Bowes
administration
corporate
al
Business
and
databases
Insight
management
data
relational
40,000
relational
Inc Above
application Exponare
Pitney
Latest
Unlimited
General enquiry
All
Bowes
application. Not
corporate
Business
currently in use
databases
Insight
29
Licence
MapExtre
Pitney
me
Bowes
Latest
Unlimited
Mobile Mapping
All
software
corporate
Business
relational
Inc Above
relational
Inc Above
relational
Inc Above
databases
Insight Mapshop
Pitney
Latest
Unlimited
Series
Map
All
Bowes
Production
corporate
Business
Software
databases
3D
All
Insight Vertical
Pitney
Mapper
Bowes
application. Not
corporate
Business
currently
databases
Insight
extensive use
MapBasic
Pitney
Latest
Latest
Unlimited
Unlimited
modelling in
Spatial
Inc Above
Bowes
development
Business
application
Insight Spatialwar
Pitney
e
Bowes
technology
Business
application
Insight
currently in use
(SQL
Server) Latitude
AusSoft
GIS
Solutions
Latest
10.05
Unlimited
Site
Spatial
database
Not currently in use
Not
-
to
Inc Above
be
discontinued
General enquiry
Only 1 database at
user application
a time
10,750
Pty. Ltd. Land
AusSoft
Address
Not currently in
Address
Solutions
reconciliation
use
Pty. Ltd.
software
Landmark
ArcPad
ArcGIS
AusSoft
Latest
Vicmap
Latitude /Mapinfo
Solutions
incremental
/ Esri
Pty. Ltd.
update software
ESRI
ESRI
Latest
1
Latest
Latest
1
4
1
Mobile
All
computing
corporate
application
databases
Spatial
All
Spatial
administration
corporate
Analyst &
and
databases
3D
management
Analyst
application
data
8000
relational
Inc Below
relational
Inc Below
relational
2560
eg
LiDAR Modelling ArcView
ESRI
Latest
1
Spatial
All
administration
corporate
and
databases
data
management application
30
eg
LiDAR Modelling
FME
Safe
Latest
2
Software
Data conversion
All
software
corporate
relational
1600
databases Tatuk GIS
Tatuk
Latest
Free-ware
Mobile
Mapinfo
Free
CAD software
Mapinfo
CAD
GPS
Office
Mapinfo / ESRI
1200
field
Mapinfo / ESRI
1200
computing application.Curre ntly being trialled Microstati
Bentley
V8.0
on
1
(3
Users
Concurrently)
Pathfinder
Trimble
Latest
2
Office Terrasync
software Trimble
Latest
3
GPS software
3.6 GIS development plan
Include all PINP staff in the “GIS loop” by making the data available via the internet GIS and in such a way that they can contribute to gathering data, solve their own queries and so produce maps and reports with a spatial context.
Involve all staff for vegetation management: Weed management and revegetation / rehabilitation of habitat and vegetation communities, thereby increasing the sources of information, however casual the information flow might be in some cases.
Configure the plan to support:
Native fauna management i.e. fauna surveys, vegetation corridor design and management, better identification of suitable habitat for the possible reintroduction of displaced fauna.
Pest animal management. Increased spatial analysis of distribution and rationalisation of trapping effort
Infrastructure planning and design.
Research i.e. open new areas of spatial research ( e.g. more time-series monitoring) the parks flora and fauna e.g. penguins, seals,
Management of cultural and historic assets i.e. better location analysis, management of access and threats. 31
Make full use of the LiDAR data for generating customised DEMs (Digital Elevation Model), TIN (Triangulated Inverse Network), DTM (Digital Terrain Model) or many other surface model as occasion demands. Ensure that any future deployments of LiDAR systems or technologies are configured to facilitate collection of dense and accurate information from the surface or terrain.
Take into account that LiDAR data handling tools facilitate both 3D and 2D environmental modelling in detail, for instance: deployment for visualisation of earth surface features like trees, buildings . This
will call for the development of tools for use in. a) LiDAR data processing, 3D building, and proper data management (Using Python and visual basic Editor). b) Animation map for tracking and habitat analysis and support of education i.e. includes GIS in some of the programs Coastal Ambassadors, TAFE, school talks.
In general, the system should support preparation of 2D and 3D models on demand for scenario modelling and decision support.
Data sharing with Bass Coast Shire Council.
3.7 Improve GIS data delivery GIS Data delivery problems: Spatial data is not always delivered in compatible file formats or in the correct coordinate system. Several technical factors have to be taken into account for the development of the GIS data processing such as inadequacy of hard disk storage vis-a-vis the volume of spatial attributes, LiDAR, aerial photo, image, PDF, video, customised tools, not to mention the proposed, free software, development tools, extensions and KML etc. The problem is greater now that this project has delivered new data sets: Coastal Data: Metadata, fauna, flora, Kelp Communities, Marine Substrates, Rivers Estuaries, and Seagrass. Management area, Nautical chart. Subdivision Planning Electronic Drawing, Phillip Island Ortho photography (2002 Phillip Island 35cm, 2004 Phillip Island 35cm, 2006 Phillip Island 15cm, the 2009 Phillip Island 15cm, DTM (Cowes, Summerland, Rhyll, San Remo, Smith Beach, Cape Woolamai, Churchill Island) 3D building and tree with height, water body and drainage data, Penguin Parade area animation map (tracking/movement).Vector to KML conversion tools and data. Solution: up-grade the hard-drive sizes, or install a data server, and then,
begin the process of configuring the data into a coherent geodatabase so that it can support on-demand 3D and 32
2D environment modelling: from the
a) real earth surface 3D model LiDAR data b) elevation points collection by using LiDAR (includes earth surface features like trees, buildings etc). Diffusion of digital data handling at PINP. Scope for innovation becomes immediately apparent once the new tools and the newly- standardised PINP data can converge. These innovative aspects are both technical (identifying the relevance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and cultural (identifying the causes of the limitations on bringing information-age policy to practise). The applications of the analyses, and explanations for the gap between actual and potential adoption of ITC are directly relevant to the debate about decision support reform among the third tier government agencies.
The justification for testing the hypothesis that the benefit that accrues when the user base for GIS widens. The adoption of the Google Earth application would allow PINP staff to store manage and manipulate spatial data in conformity with the organisation's attribute database system. Spatial data in this instance is digitised land boundaries, represented in the database as polygons and poly lines (e.g. see Badger, 2007)
This solution is without direct cost: once the base-data has been made available, everyone can use up-to-date GIS data with 2D and on 3D models.
Spatial information is at present used extensively throughout Parks Victoria to support a wide range of environmental and open space planning, and organisational processes. It is clear from the PINP example that end-users such as park rangers need better access to this information to assist them in making park management decisions.
Previously, data had been stored in a variety of electronic and paper formats making information retrieval a time consuming task.
All PINP employees would have easy access and use of both raster and vector data types and so data for project purposes could be assembled once this service for the naïve users are established.
KML or KMZ files are easily exchanged by email among management people during debates and 33
decision-making. Using open source internet there are many ideas for creating code in the KML or KMZ language (KML, 2008). The better short cut methods are used on my webpage (http://freegeographytools.com/) along with free converter tools designed for converting from shape to KML or KMZ format so that the general user can learn this language. There are many excellent applications for doing the data conversion, such as Pro, shp2kml, KML2KML, Arc2Earth, among many others. I suggest a focus on converting vector data to KML for use in Google Earth or Google Maps, using the open source Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL) utilities from the command line. Thus might be established.
A purpose-built Park Information System that draws on the spatial data repository and provides end-users with the means to create and update their own maps around core business objectives.
The database also contains business information together with key environmental factors relating to national parks, public land, major waterways and metropolitan parks (Wickramagamage, 2002).
Additionally, adoption (at a cost of $500 a year) of Google Earth pro would allow park rangers in remote offices to create their own maps based on a standard set of queries. It would also ensure that Park Rangers could perform the updating of dynamic data sets on-site, and that these would automatically be updated to the system.
Google Earth pro is easy to learn: increased employee productivity, comes from the support it offers to communication and geographic information because it promotes data sharing. With the same easy-to-use, features and imagery, Google Earth plus offers additional capabilities designed specifically for business users: the most comprehensive geospatial database, including seamless cityscapes, high-resolution imagery, historical imagery, roads, and points of interest as for instance, when using an easy-to-use spreadsheet import tool. Spreadsheet Importer can be used to Map thousands of addresses in the time it takes to otherwise find a single address (Marc, 2008).
Soon after routine GPS data collection, differential correction and data entry by park rangers, the data can be made ready to share in Google Earth.
As a result, users throughout the PINP Service would have confident access to mapping solutions because only current, accurate information is displayed.
Further advantage that accrues from adoption of this approach to configuring the in-house GIS 34
is that the rangers and other officers can also use it for any particular integrated mapping application, which benefits from access the 2D, 3D data visualization.
A fully coherent spatial database can be used for on-demand map composition showing the status of knowledge relating to typical parks functions such as animal movement, weed control and fire management, adaption to climate change, and sea level rise. Indeed some of such maps represent derivations, fit for inclusion as information into the database.
The necessary GIS data directory that I have already assembled can be seen to support analysis of the PINP data, including hitherto very much unsupported queries such as those calling on chronological fire history, pest plant management project, access to the detailed (LiDAR-derived) DEM and time series air photo mosaics and photomaps.
The PINP Data directory would be protected by a username and password system. Only PINP GIS officer can edit it, but
visualizations can be made available for all rangers
The preliminary Google Earth link has been established. It links with PINP data directory for the PINP GIS.
Space Eye-Google Earth Based Remote Sensing Image Processing Software, Space Eye is the remote sensing image processing software based on Google Earth. It provides a study platform for spatial professionals and others in related fields. The beta version of this software supports several functions such as image filtering, edge extraction and morphological transform, and other basic image processing operations. Considering availability of mass image data is without difficulty, it does serves to demonstrate the procedure characteristic of image analysis. Making it readily available in context will encourage the naïve users to “go further”.
This promises to promote communication with other GIS teams among stakeholders and to exemplify the potential benefits arising from the more efficient management of spatial data, thus producing cost savings and improved information distribution to end users. The establishment of this centrally-managed database (Google Earth) consolidates fundamental datasets specific to natural park functions in managing environmental and recreational assets.
Through this research Project, PINP GIS development has advanced in ways that are worth investigating for contributing to the debate about why adoption of GIS in the regions among third tire agency is so minimal. 35
Already, success attends efforts in advancing appreciation of the decision support up-grade demonstration. Natural Park managers have recently pronounced favourably upon the utility of all GIS/technical information provided by this project. This is good news because they will be happy to take part in the professional workshops that are part of the testing phase of the project later on.
According to Parks Victoria's Mr Perry, “the project offers an ideal solution for spatial information management that improves business decisions"(http://www.geospatialworld.net).
From this (http://www.pinpresearch.webs.com/) website, PINP can share GIS data handling for communication and exchange of spatial data, both in-house, and, given access to the web site, within the stakeholder group.
Conceptual theoretical framework: This conceptual research framework refers to diffusion and adoption of GIS in environmental management: potential benefits of adoption increase steadily but facilitating deployment in a cultural context presents many challenges (Tai,1998). Among the technical challenges are team technical capacity available, GIS technology, Data product, services inter-relationship with industry vendors. Until these are overcome, the motivation for overcoming the cultural/institutional challenges will be lacking. Securing support for addressing these challenges is probably best done in the context of decision support up-grade. Already, this project has assembled evidence that managers are keen to see testing of possible technical solutions as pre-requisite to gathering support for its application in decision support upgrade. Technical solutions The range of possibilities is wide. Certainly, the following elements must be in mind.
Spatial Data infrastructure
Citizens and voluntary sensors
Detailed geography (now that LiDAR point-cloud elevation data is available)
Neo geography (http://digitalurban.blogspot.com/ 920080 [cited in Lin and Battey (2009) pages 1-10].
Google Earth
Open Source and interoperability 36
The theory must inform and the application of the theory must be tested during the following activities
Survey of Available Data
Survey of GIS Hardware and Software and Acquisition of GIS Hardware and Software
Detailed Database Planning and Design
Database Construction
Review/modify the original plan and GIS System Integration
GIS Application Development
GIS Use and Maintenance
However, no matter how much the commoditization of spatial data handling technique has progressed, application is experimental unless relevant and ‘fit-for-purpose’ data is ready for input.
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Chapter 4: Phillip Island area DATA Directory The nature of the Phillip Island area DATA Directory developed for this project is shown in table 4.1. As the tabulation shows, the directory is structured such that each (GIS data set) record is categorized: air photo, LiDAR data, GIS 3D model, JPG and PDF file, video file. The link is to the descriptor. Being in spread-sheet form, on-going up-date is facilitated. As part of the routine work of stakeholders in the sustainable development of Phillip Island, (PINP, Bass Coast Shire Council, Melbourne water, DSE, Monash University) it is envisaged that within a year or so, the stakeholder labs will have become familiar with the data maintenance routines in ArcMap, and the familiarity can begin spreading to the naïve user groups via use of the web GIS. At that stage, more members with interest in access to spatial data will be ready to join the updating tasks. PINP already has a number of project GIS datasets in use( see appendix 7). These are listed in the table below. Full details of these datasets, including size, accuracy etc. is included (tables 4.1-4.3). It is important to emphasise that a Dataset per se is conceptually distinct from data in Arc Map (Shape) Files. In general, a Dataset will have one or more associated ArcMap (Shape) files (see appendix 7). Throughout this discussion, the word Dataset will be taken to mean a complete set of homogenous, current data. The owner of any Dataset will have to maintain all data within it, not just currently existing data or currently existing ArcMap (Shape) files. PINP GIS related data could be tabulated as follows (Tables 4.1- 4.3):
38
Table 4.1: PINP Coast data information
Table 4.2: PINP Aerial photo and LiDAR data information
Table 4.3: PINP KML (Google Earth) data information These tabulations are structured for integration with a user-friendly interface so that all authorized data users can have access in ways that allow the naïve users, as well as other users (who can use it for data management) to engage in query and data integration. The current configuration refers to Google applications using Google Earth: C:\GIS_WORK\Phillip_island\KML As mentioned, Google Earth (free program which allows users to: explore geographic locations both on earth and in space) can be deployed to view 3D models and create content, for interactive projects which include, images, coordinate WGS84, text, video and sound. Using this approach, PINP personnel can easily search location, coordinate, use to updated air photos and satellite imagery listed and attached to the database. User-friendly interactive visual display becomes 39
available at low cost to the information handling budget. Project by project, in Google Earth, the data is kept in one folder and, upon completion, is kept in “My Places”. Phillip Island area DATA Directory designers would make a storyboard prior to beginning a project. The storyboard should contain the locations PINP staff numbers are going to select, and the images, sounds or video to be linked, to the location. The most efficient procedure involves keeping all images in a single folder and keeping image names as short as possible. Make sure images are resized to less than 3" for better fit. Image resolution should be reduced to 72 dpi for perfect web viewing. Adding Place Marks helps to identify a specific location. Instructions would read something like this:
Add text information to this place mark by keying the information in the description area.
This is also the location to which you will add additional multimedia.
If creating a video for saving to Google Video’s it can be Geo tagged for use on Google Earth. Upload the video to Google Video.
All kinds of shape file format files can be displayed with Google Earth after converting to KMZ/KML format. With this extension the data can then reopened for display in Google Earth.
4.1 Analysis of data directory in relation to current PINP GIS Data and Applications From reviewing the current PINP GIS system, the following results can be tabulated (Table 4.4). Component
Current Situation
Data
PINP
currently
Issues
possesses
40
GIS
Large
inaccuracies
(5-50m)
in
the
datasets. These include the base map,
Mapbase causes inaccuracies in all
aerial photography, LiDAR and planning
other GIS datasets
zones. Most GIS data is supplied by the Department
of
Environment
and
Sustainability GPS
field
Mapbase update is currently a very
and
involved process and affects a
data
number of
organizational units
collected from PINP (eg ranger anual
needing access to an up-to-date
burrow information, Flora fauna and so
Mapbase.
on).
Large number of required datasets not available to users as they have not been collected assembled.
Applications
Major applications include Arc map (for
Aside
from
integration
to
GIS
maintaining GIS data), Image, and PDF
information in Community, there is
format data (for viewing GIS data). Most
no integration between the GIS and
40
of the management people and field
any other corporate system such as
worker, researcher now want to utilise
Environment resource Management
visualization on a daily basis, whilst only
databases, Planning, Licenses etc.
the (part –time)GIS officer currently uses
File-based storage of GIS data causes
Arc Map.
major issues with maintenance, security and presentation of GIS data to users
Table 4.4: Issues emerging in data management and application at the PINP
4.2 Issues of PINP data accuracy: Mapbase: Currently the biggest issue with respect to GIS data management and application at PINP is the accuracy of its map base. The map base is only accurate to 5-10m (xyz) even in some Phillip Island township areas. This causes innumerable issues with all other GIS data. Until recently, the adopted solution has been to re-align all other data to be compatible. Immediately, it becomes apparent that this solution isolates the PINP from many of the benefits that can accrue from stakeholder data sharing and integration. Aerial photography constitutes an important spatial data reference point for routine data collection and project planning during National Park maintenance, development and administration. The air photos, in themselves are not photomaps: they cannot be geo referenced without rectification and cannot be mosaiced without Ortho rectification. An inaccurate map base (and it is inconsistently inaccurate) imposes special difficulties in these terms, when the digital photogrammetric approach is used (as it must be) for converting the boundaries identified by interpretation of imagery from the images into a photomap. Another big issue is the incorporation of data points collected in the field, into the GIS. Field data will essentially be accurate to the survey/positioning control used. However, there will need to be significant manual processing (including differential post-processing via Vic Net www.vicnet.net.au) to place this data on an accurate Mapbase, if the outcome is to be fit to share. The solution adopted for the work reported here was to prepare a new geo-database from the 2009 Aerial Photo coverage. Cadastre: The land parcel boundaries change each time there is a land parcel sub-division or consolidation. The cadastre must then be updated. This is mandated by the cadastral maintenance arrangements in Victoria: the new data is sent to the cadastral update service and the new cadastral data returned in standardised form. These processes involve a number of organisational units and third parties. However, at the PINP user level of application, a number of staff indicated that the update of the Mapbase in these (not to mention other) terms was too slow. This caused issues in responding to queries 41
from customers because the information was not yet available on the GIS. Aerial Photography: Aerial Photography is, along with the cadastre, the most important of GIS datasets. It is by far the most expensive because it requires frequent updates, of coverage at around $50k for the Summerland. It is time the PINP adopted a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach using bolt-on digital camera units with GPS because the necessary ground control for orthophoto mosaicing is now in place. Alternatively, a drone could be deployed (www.gatewing.com) Data Security and Maintenance: With the current file-based storage of data, it is difficult to apply appropriate security. This causes issues with respect to unauthorised editing and viewing of GIS data files. There are currently not enough GIS resources to maintain all GIS data currently possessed by PINP. This results in most GIS datasets being improperly maintained because the resources are deployed to maintain only the higher-priority datasets. Maintenance and ownership of all GIS data is currently the responsibility of the GIS administrator. However, even among the list of current datasets there are too many for one person to keep up to date. This is another important issue. The major benefits of a GIS come from the display of a wide variety of different layers of information. Currency and accuracy of data are the principal requirements of a GIS: if it is to be adopted by PINP as a legitimate database query and analysis tool, all data currently held within PINP should be maintained and updated by the custodial department (according to agreed-upon standards as mentioned before). Data Consistency: Because PINP stores GIS data in a file-based format, there are issues with consistency: datasets depicting the same coverage and themes are stored across multiple files. The new approach emerging from this study has seen all PINP GIS - related data made accessible in consistent form from the newly assembled and configured PINP data Directory Datum: All data stored in PINP C:\GIS_WORK\Phillip_island files is based on the AGD66 Datum. A datum is a reference frame that allows the definition of a co-ordinate system. PINP now receives most data in a newer datum, GDA94, particularly from a major data supplier, DSE. This causes issues because the data has to be converted back to the AGD66 datum before it can be used by PINP PINP currently has one dedicated GIS person in the position of GIS administrator. PINP has no defined GIS work-place Unit, and the GIS administrator reports directly to the Natural Resource Manager Currently the GIS administrator role refers to the following responsibilities:
Maintain the functionality, speed and accuracy of GIS
Undertake complex spatial data analysis
Install new layers including Aerial Photography
provided regular updates to map base, planning layers and associated layers
Maintain all field flora and fauna information different sources 42
Maintain all kinds of emergency related data for sharing with General user or management people
Maintain up-to-date information climate change and sea level rise information
Provided Help to all kinds of PINP field workers GIS Users, including GPS
Provide Formal GPS Training as needed
Data collection penguin parade area, tracking data directories as well as specialised display maps
Clearly, there would have to be a gap between the position description and the performance. This is clearly due to the failure of the digital spatial data policy implementation in terms of data quality and support from the main GIS data agencies above the Regional level of authority. In that the policy is meant, among other things, to encourage integrated resource management, much interest attaches to identifying constraints upon data sharing and support for multilateral agreement on resource development so that one development does not devalue a previously installed one. Environmental decision-making is often a complex task (Bishop and others, 2009). How can a data and model-sharing ethos be established so that
the multilateral decision making ethos can be facilitated?
Short of investment in more industry standard software licences and extensive professional development expenditure, this question is seen as difficult to answer, unless it can be argued that the new GIS user group envisaged by the diffusion and adoption strategy needs little more support than the casual naïve users. It is argued here that recent up-grades in the functionality of free-ware offer an alternative solution. This statement is exemplified by arguments used in support of deployment of Google Earth.
4.3 Issues of Internet-based Open source GIS The problems that might be addressed by adoption of an (widely usable) open-source GIS are as follows: 1.
Unless an in-house data assembly and distribution system can be established and accepted by all data users (Naïve GIS users included) in ways that allows everyone to take ownership such that data input and up-date is shared, a single GIS team of administrator will not be enough to facilitate the necessary access to data.
2. Unless data-handling software is made available to all, the necessary data access will not be available. At present, for PINP it is supposed to be supported by one Arc Map license! 3. Unless the software is available to all, the field data collection entries will “bottle-neck” at the one GIS workstation available, and necessary data queries will be left unanswered. 43
How can Open source GIS Google Earth solve the problem? More recently, have become available a growing number of free, open-source GIS packages that run on a range of operating systems and can be customized to perform specific tasks. Increasingly geospatial data and mapping applications are being made available via the World Wide Web. In recent years, there has been an explosion of mapping applications on the web such as Google Maps and Bing Maps. These websites give the public access to huge amounts of geographic data. Some of them, like Google Maps and Open Layers, expose an API that enables users to create custom applications. These toolkits commonly offer street maps, aerial/satellite imagery, geocoding, searches, and routing functionality (http://en.wikipedia.org). Google Earth can offer visualization suitable for decision-making, and deployment of Google Maps API Premier makes it easy for companies to include fully interactive Google Maps on their public and internal websites. The Maps API helps your customers and employees make the right business and purchasing decisions by visualizing important information on a familiar map (Wyatt, 2011). There is also a requirement to continue adjustment of links to other corporate systems. Google Earth is the best open source free GIS system in that, given the supportive data maintenance, it can be deployed to offer, every PINP person access to 2D and 3D data sharing and analysis for defined purposes. In addition, adoption of this approach would mean that new field data would be incorporated into the database in a timely manner to increase the value of having the GIS. Thus present slow response times, a symptom of under-investment in GIS database maintenance, would be less and less of a trouble. The main long-term advantage of adopting this (ideal) solution is that it promises to expand the naïve users base, thereby setting the scene for later promotion of the corporate database concept. The information age policy always envisaged the diffusion of the corporate spatial database approach to data management (Lapierre and Cote, 2007). Gradual migration towards the ideal model for the environmental users would see other Units and Departments such as Planning, Community Services, Penguin Parade, Park Victoria, Tourism Victoria, and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria also benefit enormously from taking advantage of the PINP online GIS for naïve users. GIS truly needs to be an open source GIS where everything comes free to the naïve users with many resources for data creating editing and maintenance. Eventually the critical mass of users would be enough for GIS to be used as a truly corporate system. Mobile GIS: The mobile GIS functions for viewing and querying data are necessities for GIS application. Mobile GIS is an Open Source project aimed at providing various GIS solutions for a variety of mobile 44
devices. Currently Mobile GIS is in the initial planning phase. The main objectives of Mobile GIS are:
Fully Open Source.
Compatibility with a large variety of mobile devices (PDAs, tablets, cell phones, etc).
Highly configurable user interface.
High portability across different operating systems to support vector, raster, and various database formats.
Integration of GPS.
Create a bi-directional transfer mechanism for information to and from the mobile device.
Any design for open GIS will need to encourage increased use of mobile GIS.
4.4 Open source internet GIS for Regional Environmental Management People in the environmental management community use GIS to organize existing information and communicate that information throughout their organizations. GIS can be used as a strategic tool to automate processes, transform environmental management operations by getting new knowledge, and support decisions that make a profound difference managing our environment. GIS is considered enterprise-central, if, by design, it is part of the overall information technology architecture of the organization. Open source Internet GIS can be integrated with most standard corporate systems such as work management, customer service, and reporting systems. Both GIS functionality and data accessing ability can be embedded directly into other agency applications. GIS workflow applications simplify and automate procedures within environmental management operations, resulting in improved efficiency and significant timesavings. Open source internet GIS Google Earth brings to the environmental management community, benefit and value. This value comes from
Database-sharing architecture that supports decision-making and daily work tasks.
Interoperable system solutions integrated workflow and data access.
Internet mapping solutions support interagency collaboration projects.
Quality control processes ensures accurate, high-quality data. 45
Worker-friendly designs increase agency-wide access and application.
Scalability supports and adapts to growing and evolving IT demand.
Deployed in environmental management such an approach draws from many disciplines to create meaningful, intelligent maps used by a wide variety of people for a multitude of purposes (figure 4.1).
Figure 4.1: Open source Internet GIS (www.esri.com/environment) Any environmental management system requires the diversity of tools offered in open source software to build virtual environments. GIS functionality is employed in spatial analysis, regulatory compliance, planning and management, map publication, and more (Dravis, 2003).
Chapter 5: Accommodating open source GIS for the naïve users 46
The Nature Park Board (the Board) was charged in 1996 with responsibility for the conservation and protection of the Phillip Island Nature Park’s 1,805 hectares of flora and fauna reserves and coastal lands, and the many animals and plants to which the Nature Park is home. Many stakeholders in successful implementation of these responsibilities can be identified (PINP Strategic Plan 2006-2011). Phillip Island Nature Park (the Nature Park) is the renowned home of one of Australia’s most popular natural wildlife attractions the Penguin Parade. Created by the State Government in 1996, it is the only ‘Nature Park’ in Victoria. Like all conservation areas, it is managed under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978(Vic.). As stated in the Phillip Island National Parks Management Plan (2006-2011), the Summerland Peninsula and its Penguin Parade is an easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne. The Nature Park features unique wildlife and spectacular scenery. It is an island adventure with flora and fauna reserves, wetlands and breathtaking coastal scenery. Acknowledged is that the Nature Park is part of the traditional lands of the Bunurong Aboriginal people. The Nature Park is self-funding from revenue from its four main visitor venues; Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island and the Nobbies Centre. In 2007/08, the Nature Park welcomed 707,837 paying visitors from around the world and a further 350,000 people visited the Nobbies Centre to which entry is free of charge. All profits generated by these main attractions are reinvested into research, conservation, environmental and educational initiatives on Phillip Island.
The key fauna habitat areas in the Nature Park are found at the following locations :( see figure 5.1) Summerland Peninsula penguin colonies Nobbies and Seal Rocks seal colonies Cape Woolamai and Summerland Peninsula Shearwater colonies South Coast beaches and dunes (Hooded Plovers, Short-tailed Shearwaters) Rhyll Inlet/Rhyll wetlands (shorebirds) Oswin Roberts Reserve (koalas, possums and bats) Newhaven Swamp, Rowell Swamp and Swan Lake (waterbirds, Short-tailed Shearwaters, Monarch Butterfly) Other important habitats areas are also represented in figure 5.1
47
Figure 5.1: Phillip Island Natural Park Source: DSE GIS Unit Gippsland (19th July 2006)
48
Geology of Phillip Island (Appendix 8) Phillip Island was formed by volcanic action (see Appendix 8). On the ocean side, the Island is characterized by a flat to undulating cliff top landscape comprising basalt geology with evident volcanic outcroppings that have become icons of coastal scenery. This eroded and exposed rock base on the south side of Phillip Island faces into Bass Strait from which strong wind trims vegetation growth to low rates. It is very exposed and hence this coastline of Phillip Island is not preferentially developed for commercial or housing purposes. The rocky nature of this coast provides a perfect and safe habitat for natural Island wildlife such as the Fur Seals and Little Penguins (Cullen, 1992). The presence of sand dune and other surface sediment build-up makes it possible for the Penguins to build burrows (underground nests) and raise their chicks (Wasiak, 2008). It remains however a precarious task, because wild weather and human visitation can quickly destroy the delicate layer in which these flightless birds make their home. Moreover, the penguin’s nests compete for habitat with other borrowing colonies (e.g. the shearwaters).
Figure 5.2: Sample (LiDAR-generated) DEM-based view of Phillip Island Source: Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2010. To protect and promote the natural wonders and wildlife of Phillip Island, the Phillip Island Nature Park (PINP) was formed in the late 1990's, combining the resources and management of the Penguin Parade, the Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island and many other such important places on Phillip Island. Recently decision support system have been able to access a high quality DEM (figure 5.2). 49
5.1 GIS Solutions for PINP Regional Environmental Management Formulation and implementation of a suitable environmental management plan for the Park is prerequisite for protecting and restoring the natural environment. The interdependency of the ecosystems causes human impact on the environment to be complex. Thus emerges a challenge to governments and businesses as well as scientists and environmentalists in every discipline. The main objective of the PINP regional environment management activity is protection of flora and fauna. PINP activity is committed to sustainable land management practices, which benefit flora and fauna (Williamson, 2007). For example, indigenous species are used in revegetation projects – beneficial in their own right: it also improves soils, protects waterways – provide best shelter and habitat to native fauna, including birds,. The restored plant cover emits oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide. As the management Plan states, PINP is committed to the conservation and enhancement of flora and fauna through management of landscape restoration in the form of integrated projects executed with the collaboration of stakeholder groups (Commonwealth of Australia, 1990). Accordingly, it can be expected that there must be demand from the park management personnel, as well as other stakeholders for access to a range of up-to-date thematic maps. The PINP research website is one of the largest GIS programs of the Philip Island Natural Park. It is aimed at encouraging rangers and manager to address soil, water, vegetation and related natural resource issues on their lands in an environmentally sustainable manner (Malcolm, 1992). This paper outlines the design and development of a prototype web-GIS Decision Support System (DSS).These decision support systems include many such maps, archived in digital form ready for integration and user-defined output. They are maintained on a single PC under ArcView.
Ostensibly, this indicates that the Department of Sustainability and Environment is supporting the diffusion and adoption of digital spatial data handling (GIS) as envisaged by public policy. The question arises: can the need to service decision support functions with adequately maintained spatial data at PINP be met under extant arrangements? As indicated in the above appraisal of the status of spatial information in the PINP decision support system: probably not. As already mentioned, there is only one competent GIS operator, but mainly appointed for fieldwork, with the data stored and managed on the single PC assigned to her/him. Is this the ideal deployment of the data handling technology? If not, what is?
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5.2 GIS for decision support: the ideal deployment Geographic information system (GIS) technology is used to support and deliver information to environmental managers and the public. GIS allows the combination and analysis of multiple layers of location-based data including environmental measurements. The environmental application areas of GIS are varied in terms of potential users, environmental spheres, and the specific environmental issue being investigated. As recognised in GIS Management literature (www.esri.com/environment), GIS regional environmental management solutions enable organizations to
Ensure accurate reporting with improved data collection.
Improve decision-making.
Increase productivity with streamlined work processes.
Provide better data analysis and presentation options.
Model dynamic environmental phenomena.
Create predictive scenarios for environmental impact studies.
Automate regulatory compliance processes.
Disseminate maps and share map data across the Internet.
To achieve all that, the necessary data and software licenses must be maintained. Both these requirements can be expensive. Unless the managers can identify clear benefits, the funds for upgrading facilities will not be found. One way to reduce the costs of the software is to use freeware.
5.3 Role and benefits of GIS Regional Environmental management A primary role of GIS as a tool in environmental management is that it can serve as a means to integrate everincreasing volumes of diverse spatial and non-spatial environmental data, from several sources, at local, regional and national scales, into a manageable whole. Where a GIS user collates and manages environmental data in a standardized manner, its use is likely to result in more efficient data collection and analysis, because common environmental data sets need be captured only once, but then, if fit-for-purpose, can be used for many different functions, by many interested organizations. For example, flood risk maps captured on a GIS, can be available to planning, housing, communications and insurance organizations (SKM, 2010). The common use of environmental data sets minimizes duplication of effort and helps engender the team approach required to tackle multi disciplinary environmental problems. GIS database visualizing tools provide all those with an interest in environmental matters with the means to 51
visualize and analyse environmental data on the desktop. Users with little GIS experience are able to utilize GIS functionality to query, display and produce maps and reports from environmental data sets held in the GIS. In this way, environmental data, and the concerns and issues they portray are made available to a wider audience in a clearer way (www.instantatlas.com). Preventing or mitigating environmental impacts often requires the consideration of a number of environmental attributes, whose relationships may be dynamic in that they change over time and in their spatial relationships. GIS functionality provides the environmental manager with a powerful set of tools for modelling spatial problems when several layers of graphical and tabular data may be involved. For example, well-fields, septic tanks, storage tanks and industrial areas need to be bonded as protection from flooding, and buffer zones delineated to protect such areas from hazards. GIS can resolve these (site selection) spatial problems accurately and rapidly (Mitchell, 1999). Because of its spatial modelling capabilities, GIS can provide useful support to management decision-making (Smith, 2009). 'What if type models can be run in GIS to simulate the effects of adopting different environmental policy options? A more informed choice can then be made by using GIS as a decision support tool. It can also be used to display the results of other environmental models such as air and water pollution dispersion models together with other layers of information held in the GIS to 'add value' to analytical results and their implications. GIS can be particularly valuable in an environmental monitoring role to identify and delineate spatial changes in environmental conditions over time: changes in coastal saline ground water intrusion, water temperature and quality of emissions from a pollutant source. Likewise, for changes in the spatial behaviour of wild animals. These changes may be difficult to detect in a tabular form, but their spatial expression may provide the basis for further investigation and the key to understanding external influences (Castellan, 2010). GIS provides a measure of flexibility and timeliness when responding to environmental questions. Because the GIS data set can be readily updated in the light of new information or changes in environmental conditions, it maintains a far greater currency than a paper map, which may be several years old and represents only a snapshot of environmental conditions at a point in time. When the environmental GIS are updated, the result of the query is also updated, as are the results of the environmental model to which that new data element was added (www.omaninfo.com). Hence, the environmental GIS can be more responsive to dealing with environmental issues such as environmental contingency planning or disaster management. Wildlife conservation is of background importance in many regions with multiple stakeholders in need of cooperative data sharing and spatial modelling. Summerland, represents wildlife conservation; the accompanying digital spatial data modelling can be led by PINP with acknowledgement to work published by their counterparts in 52
NSW (Stahel, 1987).
5.4 GIS for Wildlife Conservation Habitat loss, global climate change, and human disruptions, such as pollution and deforestation, are threats to wildlife biodiversity and can cause fragmentation and extinction. GIS technology is an effective tool for managing, analysing, and visualizing wildlife data in order to target areas where conservation practices are needed. Geospatial habitat analysis is an important key to understanding the health of a species in the wild (Perviz, 2003). Monitoring change in wildlife habitats is feasible via Google Earth applications for managing, analysing, and depicting statistical and geographic data. GIS helps to monitor and visualize:
Population and distribution
Habitat use and preferences
Progress of conservation activities
Historical and present regional biodiversity
Understanding the environment of threatened species is important in preventing their extinction and revitalizing their populations. Deployment of Google Earth makes sharing pertinent wildlife data on the Web easy and accessible and spreads the conservation movement across the globe (Cropper, 2005). The core responsibility of the Environment Team is wildlife and habitat, protection and enhancement. Rangers undertake pest animal and plant control, revegetate degraded landscapes, enforce park regulations, assist research projects and work closely with community groups. Dedicated PINP staff collaborate with the wildlife hospital. Maps are useful in hazard mapping and population distribution maps are useful in planning wildlife rehabilitation ( e.g. release sites) of over 500 rehabilitated animals per year (PINP Management Plan 2006-2011).
5.5Habitats and their communities Many natural habitats on Phillip Island are now fragmented but important habitats remain and have been protected (fig 5.3).What was once a landscape of trees is now open pasture, with a few “Island habitats” of modified vegetation only occasionally linked by corridors of natural or introduced shrubs and trees. The maintenance of isolated populations imposes a challenge because minor land cover changes can bring biological and management problems. What must be resolved when land use on Phillip Island is evaluated for 53
impacts of proposed changes? What is the ecological importance of these “Islands”? What vegetation and animal communities are found there? How are these habitats to be preserved and enhanced? The first two questions maybe particularly answered in the light of existing knowledge. The first embodies questions of policy. In this section, answers to these questions are attempted with particular reference, to the viability of those species of birds and animals, which are popular tourist attractions on the Island. Compared with other components of the fauna of southern Australia, the most publicised species found on Phillip Island are in colonies of the Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) the short-tailed shearwater (Mutton-bird), the fur sea and the koala. These species are quite well documented in terms of their breeding biology and ecology (Moore, 2004) .Conservation of these colonies is of concern because they are at the same time constituting: a) Recreational resource; and b) Education resource in natural history readily accessible to the public; c) Gene pools of significance for the survival of the species; and d) A scientific resource because they dynamic breeding populations are useful in detailed physiological and biological studies. Such can assist in the management of the species in harmony with man’s recreational, urban and resort development activities (Leitch, 2010). The Importance of the species is not that they are unique to Phillip Island or to the coastal margins of southern Australia; but that they are accessible to both the public and the scientist and that the effects of man upon their habitat can be identified, monitored and managed. They are both a resource and an important form of land-use. They are worthy of consideration, species by species (PINP Management Plan 2006-2011).
54
Figure 5.3: Phillip Island Fauna Reserves Habitats Source: Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2010.
5.6 GIS in support of the Management Action Plan (PINP Management Plan 2006-2011) Short-tailed Shearwaters (figure 5.4) The Short-tailed Shearwater undertakes an amazing annual migration. Leaving Phillip Island in April/May each year for feeding grounds in the Bering Straits, Alaska, they returns to breed on Phillip Island in late September. Approximately one million shearwaters – also known as Mutton Birds – breed within the Nature Park (Kirkwood, and others, 2001).The largest colony of shearwaters is at Cape Woolamai, with other smaller colonies found along the south and west coast of Phillip Island. Many colonies are threatened by problems associated with proximity to rural and urban land. Many juvenile shearwater deaths are recorded when birds are run over on Phillip Island roads and the Phillip Island bridge, as the young birds appear to be attracted to the roadway lights while fledging in late April and early May. The birds have also been known to collide with powerlines. Phillip Island contains approximately eight per cent of the world’s total population of Short-tailed Shearwaters, and preservation of their Phillip Island environment is critical to their breeding success (PINP Management Plan 2006-2011).
Figure 5.4: Banding of Adult and Juvenile Bird, Short-tailed Shearwater: a borrow nesting migratory bird Source: PINP Management plan 2006-2011 55
Threats, and exemplification of decision support in mitigation via GIS, in support of the Management Action Plan: Road-kills 1. Lights on the San Remo Bridge will be not be illuminated during peak evenings throughout the migration period. This will help deter birds from landing on the bridge. Signs will be placed at both ends of the bridge advising of the changed traffic conditions. It is necessary to prepare a map of light switches (figure 5.5) and displayed traffic hazard signs. The signs should indicate where shearwaters may be on the roads so that collision risks may be evaluated via mapping on demand if conditions change. Such assessment would be called for at times of heavy traffic: holiday and event day e.g. the staging of major races at the Phillip Island Race Track (www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au). 2. These road-kill hazard areas are near the breeding areas. Related matters refer to control of, fox density area, and pest plants. Control programmes are part of the effort to expand shearwater colonies into formerly colonised areas as well as collision risks abatement.
Figure 5.5a: Short-tailed Shearwater Light strategy Cape Woolamai area Source: PINP GIS unit 2010. 56
Figure 5.5b: Short-tailed Shearwater Light strategy Surf Beach area Source: PINP GIS unit 2010.
Figure 5.5c: Short-tailed Shearwater Light strategy Summerland area Source: PINP GIS unit 2010.
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3. GIS would be deployed when infrastructural installations or modifications are to be carried out. For instance, any power grid up-grade or extension would need to be done in a way that minimised impact the on young shearwaters, even to the extent of putting powerlines underground, shielding streetlights and placing buoys on overhead lines. Certainly, in these terms, relocation of power lines to underground alignments is desirable. Alternatively, aerial bundling of overhead powerlines could be considered at Surf Beach and other shearwater flight zones. Mapping and visualisation would support scenario modelling among stakeholders during discussions about relocation of high voltage power lines between Newhaven and San Remo to underground or onto the Phillip Island Bridge. 4. Detailed mapping of residential areas allows overlay in support of negotiations in aid of promoting
agreement for protection of shearwater habitat on private land ( Figure 5.6 a). Thus, data sharing between Bass Coast Shire Council and PINP ( Figure 5.6 b) allows re-development on private land, to be compatible with ongoing protection of habitats. 5. GIS can be deployed for habitat mapping in relation to land use and topography such that data identifying preferred sites for shearwater viewing can be maintained (see figure 5.7). The same applies to other viewing opportunities: the Penguin Parade, Swan Lake, Green Lake and Forrest Caves. Thus, the development of interpretation facilities is better supported.
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Figure 5.6a: PINP shearwater mapping Ventnor Beach :20-06-05 to 22-06-05 Source: PINP GIS unit 2010. Kikuya gress is an introduced past plant that threaten to cover shearwater breeding grounds because it is a highly succefully plant when in competition for space.
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Figure 5.6b: Shearwater nesting ground weed types, slope (within green circles ) and invading integrated to yield a map Source: PINP GIS unit 2010. The weed hight data collection from field survey prepared by Jon Fallaw . Penguins Threats, and exemplification of decision support in mitigation via GIS, in support of the Management Action Plan The Australian populations of penguins face a range of threats. For the PINP population the destruction of their habitat, (e.g. like vegetation burn off) as well as predation from foxes, dogs and cats constitute the main risk. Close proximity of either human settlement and/or people traffic to the penguins barrows also causes damage, deterring penguins from nesting in certain areas near light, noise and movement (Shaw 2009). In particular, such presence can cause delay to penguins check feeding schedules. Some penguins are drowned, because of anglers setting up nets near a penguin colony, or from plastic debris being swallowed, or entangled such that it leads to choking. Oil spills are a problem for all sea birds: oil is toxic when ingested, and affects the buoyancy and insulation properties of plumage. Often these penguins are rescued from “oiled sites”. The success rate of rehabilitation depends solely on the proportion of rescued breeding penguins released back into the wild (Perviz, 2003). This means that if subsequent success in the wild is not monitored, that most management effort refers to the annual hospital.
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Figure 5.7a: Penguin Track and Burrow mapping 2009. Source: PINP GIS unit 2010. The burrow data collection from field survey prepared by PINP GIS officer Jon Fallaw.This map was generated supports exprementing analysis .As part of a time series (see figure 5.7b) it support monitoring.
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Figure 5.7b: Penguin Track and Burrow mapping 1982. Source: PINP GIS unit 2010. Ecology Adult Fairy Penguins weigh about one kilogram, have a height of 30-40 cm, and, on average, live for 6 years. Throughout July and August, male penguins return to their colonies to either dig new burrows or to renovate old burrows and attract females with their noisy courting displays, which consist of a distinctive song, accompanied by flipper, beak and body movements. One mate will be chosen, but they will not usually stay with the partner for life. Among penguins, species at low latitudes have a faster growth rate which results in a shorter chick-rearing period (http://everything2.com/title/Little+penguin). In a very good year for food, the eggs (usually a clutch of 2, each weighing about 5% of the body-weight of the adult) may be laid between May and October. The males and females share the incubation duties, in shifts of 1-2 days, for from 33 to 37 days, after which on average, 60% of the eggs will hatch. Little penguins differ from all other penguins in that they are double-brooders, meaning that, in a good year, they can rear two consecutive clutches (http://everything2.com/title/Little+penguin). 62
When the chicks are 5 weeks old, they will stay outside of the burrows, waiting to be fed ( figure 5.10 b) by both parents. Then, within another 2-3 weeks, they are then ready to leave the nesting sites, to mature at sea. They are not seen again until, about a year later when they return to moult. They repeat this pattern each year, for 3 or 4 years, until they are ready to breed (http://www.penguins.org.au/). At the end of the breeding season (some time in February) adult penguins build up their fat stores and begin to moult which they must do, on land, which is, away from their food sources. During this time, it is thought that the penguins lose 50 grams a day for 2-3 weeks, by which time their new feathers are waterproof and ready for sea. For Penguin burrow status see Figure 5.8 with roof and vegetation height report (using Arc view software has been support). The two typical travelling patterns for the little penguin, (a long-term one and a one-day one) have been explored using radio tracking (Peucker, 2009). During the breeding season, the (local) one-day trips take place. The penguins will travel up to 7.9 km, and 95% will stay within 9km of the shore. Long-term trips occur over the non-breeding season, last several days, and extend for hundreds of kilometres, with 74% of the penguins staying within 20kms of the shore. Some fairy penguins return consistently to their burrows year round but most stay at sea throughout the autumn-winter period. Most of the penguins return to their colonies within an hour or so of darkness (http://everything2.com).
Figure 5.8: Penguin Burrow status (with roof and vegetation height) report. Source: PINP GIS unit 2010. During the 2009/10 summer, little penguins were tracked to find where they were fishing. Mostly, they fed within 50 km of the Phillip Island colony. However, “as the PINP visitors’ web site proclaims, you would be surprised at how far some penguins are going (http://www.penguins.org.au)” see figure 5.9. 63
Figure 5.9: Penguin tracking map (http://www.penguins.org.au) Exemplification of decision support via GIS for mitigation of threats As mentioned above the different populations of penguins around Australia together, face a range of similar threats. What has to be dealt with mainly is the destruction of their habitat, (e.g. like vegetation burn off) as well as predation from foxes, dogs and cats. Close proximity of either human settlement and/or people traffic access to penguin habitat also causes damage; Penguins are deterred from nesting in certain areas near light, noise and movement. In particular, such interference can cause delay for penguin’s intent on feeding their chicks. Nets set near the penguin colony, or as mentioned above plastics being swallowed, drown some penguins. Spills of (toxic) oil are a problem for all sea birds: Loss of the buoyancy and insulation inhibits ability to feed and reproduce. As already mentioned, the success rate of rehabilitation depends solely on the proportion of rescued penguins that recover well enough for release back into the wild. (Perviz and Anna, 2003).
Figure 5.10: Little Penguins movement and burrow (a, b) Source: PINP Management Plan 2006-2011 a) Little Penguin looks to nesting burrows. b) Chick waiting for parents to come and negotiate food. GIS technology provides easy-to-use visualization tracking tools for maximizing all types of information and data for planning requirements eg see figure 5.10a. GIS stores spatial information in a digital mapping environment that allows fire managers to quickly select and view data that can influence fire behaviour (Dykes J. A. 1995). Factors such as vegetation types, slopes, aspects, natural or man made barriers, and historical weather patterns can be overlaid to determine fire hazards based on modelling potential fire behaviour. The likelihood of wildfire ignitions can be predicted by locating historical fire locations and identifying potential 64
ignition sources (e.g. power lines, roads, industrial areas, housing areas). Additional actions, such as vegetation modification, fire prevention programs, and code compliance, can be planned and modelled using GIS (http://www.esri.com).
Figure 5.10c: Wild land management (http://www.esri.com) Hazard could be regarded as widespread and so mitigation budgets should be spent according to priorities. This can be most easily listed with reference to a habitat and behavioural hazard vulnerability map .A range of spatial data sets must be assembled before such vulnerability maps can be conceived. GIS and monitoring availability and condition of Nest burrowing materials: query that calls for GIS support 1. Which vegetation communities can be found in the Penguin Parade area and what is the relation between nest burrowing density and vegetation type and cover? 2. Which soil type(s) are relatively more important in nest-site selection? 3. How far away are the nests built from human compared to penguin walkways (non-ground and boardwalks treated separately)? 4. To what extent does the distance from the sea influence the nest burrowing density? 5. What effect does the surface slope (steepness, length, aspect) have on the burrowing density (Any query about this calls for access to information derived from a detailed DEM)? 6. On which penguin parade area sites are predation pressure highest and does this have any effect on nest density? 7. Is there a relation between burrow point patterns and habitat polygon shape? 8. Is there a relation between occupation and burrow entrance aspect? 9. What kinds of nest (burrow or vegetation) are relatively more favoured by Little Penguins? 10. What is the mean distance between occupied burrows? 11. What extend does the distance to the colony centre influence occupancy nests? 12. Can the inter relationships between the Little Penguins and marine, marine environment be elucidated 65
by ecological modelling in a spatial context? 13. Which kind of landscape architecture should the Penguin parade area have in order to give the penguins an optimal breeding site? 14. What measures can be taken to improve the utility of breeding sites? Such question can be answered by deriving maps from the basic data sets.
Figure 5.10d: Penguin Parade weeds to 2003 Source: PINP Management Plan 2006-2011
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Koala reserves: management in a spatial context The viability of the population of this iconic animal has long been of concern. Regional population slumps (often due to disease) have been mitigated by establishing quarantined breeding populations as a source for reintroductions. The somewhat complex and costly measures that have had to be taken follow appraisal of data collected by habitat and population monitoring. Knowledge of threatened species was not strictly accurate and without the prompting provided by the word “extinct”, the concept lacked clarity (Ian, 2002). It is probable that best management practices will evolve in ways impossible without reference to a living asset inventory, built with the help of all stakeholders (crowd sourcing see figure 5.11) and maintained in GIS and displayed in open GIS. Given the reliable nature of the “Koala breeding year” and the phenology of the vegetation community, the data maintenance schedule could be smoothly integrated into range management.
Figure 5.11: Catching Koalas from Phillip Island Source: PINP Management Plan 2006-2011 Koalas live a largely solitary life although males seek out females during the breeding season. Healthy females are able to breed each year, and a single young is born during the summer months. Young are weaned by twelve months although they will stay near the mother for a further year. Female young often establish a home range near their mother. As with most young marsupials, young males are evicted from the maternal group. They lead a nomadic life for three years or so until they are big enough to establish their own home range - usually less than three hectares. This can vary with koala densities and food availability (Marsh, 2008).
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Conservation and the Koala As Phillips (1990) states (page 37): The faunal communities, of which the koala is a member, include other marsupial species. The possums and gliders and many insectivorous bats seek refuge in and feed from and around the eucalypts preferred by koalas. Owls, parrots, and a host of tiny insect-eating birds are also concentrated in these areas. Many migrating honeyeaters move along rivers and streams, feeding and resting in the trees of the banks and adjoining woodlands. Lyrebirds, bowerbirds and echidnas scurry amongst the leaf litter on the forest floor and platypus burrow into the banks secured by the roots of river red gums. Snakes, goannas and water dragons bask in the sun as nocturnal wombats snooze in their burrows and wallabies cautiously graze on grass-shoots. This, but superficial, look at the complex ecosystem, which koalas sit quietly representing, should serve to remind us that conservation needs to be about habitats and not just individual species (Preuss, 1996). If habitats are protected so too will be their occupants. The publications from the PINP are designed to foster behaviour supportive of conservation exemplified in the conservation area (Figure 5.12). Of particular concern is the protection of ground nesting birds (figure 5.13). Much of the necessary conservation message can be integrated with other documentation to be shown via the internet.
Figure 5.12: Dog regulation and Hooded Plovers area: some are near built-up areas Source: DSE GIS Unit Gippsland (19th July 2006)
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Figure 5.13: Koala Conservation centre: webGIS support on demand onely of roads and water sources (eg farm dams) fences and gates as might be called on wildfrench lighting Source: PINP Management Plan 2006-2011 Threats, and exemplification of decision support in mitigation via GIS, in support of the Management Action Plan: 1. Prepare a Koala map for management of Koalas both at the Koala Conservation Centre (figure 5.13) and in the wild. Supportive data streams to include items related to including ongoing monitoring of populations, relocation, protecting genetic diversity, and the management of sick and injured wild animals. 2. The living asset inventory in GIS used to provide recommendations for the management of habitats including revegetation on both public & private land, protection of valuable seed trees and trees on public land and roadside verges, and optimisation of community participation. 3. Prepare map of safe habitat and unsafe habit patterns layers according to textures 4. Prepare koala conservation and protection 5. Create GIS data layers for current distribution & abundance of koalas 6. Genetic grouping of Koalas 7. Predictable fire ‘hotspots’
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Hooded Plovers The Nature Park provides breeding and over-wintering habitat for the Hooded Plover, which is listed as vulnerable in Victoria, and is listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Hooded Plover numbers have varied from 21 to 42 on Phillip Island sense census begun in (2000 to 2005). Approximately 18 birds currently attempt to breed on or adjacent to the sandy beaches of Phillip Island, including the south coast and areas near Ventnor. In recent years, monitoring of Hooded Plovers in the Nature Park has shown that fledging success has generally been very low (Baird, and Dann, 2003). These birds are ground nesting and very vulnerable to disturbance. The Nature Park conservation programmes are designed to work closely with the community to implement a seasonal program to try to improve breeding success. In the five breeding seasons from 2000 to 2005, 38 chicks fledged from 135 nests. This can be compared to just 14 in the previous five breeding seasons prior to active management. This improvement can mainly be attributed to the Hooded Plover Watch, a cooperative program through which community volunteers assist in the protection of nesting birds and young (PINP Management Plan 2006-2011 page 24).
Threats, and exemplification of decision support in mitigation via GIS, in support of the Management Action Plan: Fenced areas, which are part of increased cat and dog control and improved landowner fencing, have, contributed to improved breeding success. The fences can be mapped. Risks to the Hooded Plover include a high rate of egg loss due to predation by foxes, dogs and birds. Dogs cause abandonment of nests, and place pressure on nesting birds and chicks prior to fledging (PINP Management Plan 2006-2011). Map baseline information as follows: 1. Current nesting sites with terrain attributes and identify nesting sites on private land. Identify beach access points and boundaries of observed territories. 2. Dwellings, registered vehicles by land parcel, registered dogs and cats by land parcel. 3. Ascertain the extent of occurrence of habitat modification (i.e. erosion control, invasive plants, extractive processes, coastal development). 70
4. Archival nesting distribution maps. 5. Identity unmonitored beaches suitable for assignment to birdwatch monitors. 6. Established monitoring network members by arranging feedback/comments on draft maps, Recovery Plan and develop monitoring (and extra survey) protocols and test-run them. 7. These decision support measures are designed to deal with threats to the Hooded Plover and thereby improve its status, increasing recruitment success, increase total population size; reverse recent declines in extent of occurrence; improve management of people, minimise introduced predators on beaches; increase community awareness and involvement. Again, WebGIS can be used to build consensus. 8. Identify rates of increasing nesting success, in the light of strategies deployed to mitigate the impacts of humans and their companion animals on selected beaches, and modifications to habitat. 9. Map nesting site by category /attributes after taking into account information gained from monitoring. 10. Create map of alternatives for vehicle access or seasonal closures to beaches. 11. Nesting map up-date as Hooded Plover numbers increase and access new pattern vis-à-vis behaviour of predators.
Seals The Nature Park manages Seal Rock and Black Rock off the western point of Phillip Island. This area is home to the world’s second largest remaining Australian Fur Seal colony (Garlepp, 2010). There are 20,000 to 25,000 seals that breed and haul out at this site, representing 25 to 30 per cent of the total Australia population of this species. The colony also remaining provides magnificent wildlife viewing opportunities in a spectacular environment. Visitors currently view seals (figure 5.14) at Seal Rocks, or from commercial ferry operations or from the telescopes provided by the Nature Park at the Nobbies Centre (PINP Management Plan 2006-2011).
Figure 5.14: Seal rock seal colony. Source: PINP Management Plan 2006-2011
Threats, and exemplification of decision support in mitigation via GIS, in support of the 71
Management Action Plan: Regularly identify, catch and release any entangled seals from Seal Rocks. Participate in research on conservation and management (Carr, G.W.2001) of seals to provide advice to fishers, regulatory bodies and the public. Conduct community education programs on management of seals. Again, the web GIS can be used for ‘webcam’ and for building consensus. Phillip Island as a fox-free island: Foxes are the greatest land-based threat to the long-term viability of the remaining Summerland penguin colony. An Island-wide fox control program commenced in the 1980s, and over 1000 foxes have been destroyed on Phillip Island since then (PINP management plan 2006-20011, page 59). PINP Staff participation is integral to developing control programs, and has helped form baseline data in preparation for launching the Fox Eradication Strategy, which was commissioned by the Nature Park in 2004. Research into the demographics of foxes on Phillip Island has shown the existing fox program is maintaining the population at constant low levels without achieving eradication. Eradication of foxes on Phillip Island is the desirable goal, and is considered feasible through the implementation of the eradication strategy (McPhee, and Bloomfield, 2005).
Figure 5.15: Phillip Island Fox density map and PINP Ranger with coordinated fax. Source: PINP Parks Management Plan 2006-2011 Source: PINP GIS unit (fox census data)
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1. Create/identify GIS tools for detecting fox density and areas of fox activity. 2. Urban fox control, Monitoring of immigration across Phillip Island Bridge, Removal of nonindigenous fox habitat in consultation with landowners and Phillip Island Land Care Group, Promotion of Phillip Island as a potentially fox free area with GIS animation tools. 3. Continue to maintain GIS data is support of the fox eradication program by maintaining relevant research data. Again, the webs GIS can be serve ‘crowd sourcing’ especially now digital cameras in mobile phones produce geo-tagged images. Vegetation Management A floristic community survey of the Nature Park was conducted (Sutter and Downe 2000) to gain an overall understanding of the vegetation within the Nature Park: 334 native and 120 introduced species ware recorded (taxonomy according to Costermans 1992). Twenty - two Victorian rare or threatened plant species (VROTS) were subsequently surveyed in detail to provide management directions and baseline data. During the 2000 survey, nine ecological vegetation classes (EVCs) of conservation concern in the South East Coastal Plain bioregion were recorded. These EVCs require special management for their protection and enhancement. Revegetation undertaken across the Nature Park over the past decade has resulted in substantial improvements in habitats providing better conditions for the Island’s wildlife. Continued work in the area of habitat revegetation, the monitoring of rare and threatened species, and developing integrated approaches to habitat management will continue to raise the quality and protect the integrity of plant communities throughout the Nature Park (Perviz, 2003). Existing vegetation mapping Vegetation mapping has been previously undertaken within the study area at various scales and for a range of purposes. Figure 5.16-5.17 was obtained for this project in digital format (figure 5.16). The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) works have mapped vegetation on a statewide basis at a scale of 1:100,000. Vegetation has been identified and classified into Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) using a combination of techniques including aerial photo interpretation, satellite image interpretation and field survey. Bass Coast Shire Council have mapped significant roadsides and remnant vegetation within the Cowes area (figure 5.16-5.17).
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Figure 5.16: Cowes area Vegetation map Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011-taxonomy according to Foreman and Walsh (2003).
Figure 5.16a: Cowes area tree density map Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011 Roadside native vegetation assessments by the tree natural Assets data collection project from Bass Coast City Council.
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Figure 5.17: Cowes area Roadside tree data collection Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011 Threats, and exemplification of decision support in mitigation via GIS, in support of the Management Action Plan 1. Identify priority areas of remnant vegetation, threatened EVC’s or vegetation species and identify management priorities for protection. Exemplification: map riparian vegetation of the PINP area before site selection for ground works: revegetation, weed removal, fencing off remnant vegetation from grazing by domestic stock. 2. Protect dunes at Cape Woolamai from trampling to protect possible habitat for the rare plant Coast Ballart Exocarpus syrticola. Exemplification: this research website adds GIS tools in habitat and species management and protection. GIS enables the study of animal populations at a variety of scales , Hawths analysis tools for ArcGIS (http://www.spatialecology.com/htools/tooldesc.php). 3. Develop a plan for the management of Swamp Paperbark Melaleuca ericifolia in the Summerland Estate and other relevant reserved areas. Exemplification: PINP research website allows an enormous amount of information to be visualised in a spatial situation. The visualisation allows scenario modelling to occur, so that responses to natural hazards can be incorporated into local emergency management plans. 4. Protect vegetation on track edges to Granite Quarry at Cape Woolamai from trampling for protection of rare plant Pale-flower Cranesbill Geranium(Geranium macrorrhizum). The ability to track vegetation change through time and to make predictions about future vegetation change is just two of the many possible uses of GIS. The research website could help the analysis and prediction of vegetation change. Useful GIS and mapping web links are included. ArcGIS Explorer Open Source visualisation application. A reset to the web site at (http://pinpresearch.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=83510001). 5. Implement a monitoring program and protection measures for the Peninsula Daisy-bush. which is threatened by dune erosion, beach access tracks, dune surfing, blowouts and environmental weeds. Identify the fire regime best for its ongoing protection. 6. Continue Moonah Woodland planting program at Churchill Island and develop a program for other locations such as Forrest Caves, Swan Bay and Fishers Wetland: again, the GIS can be the cove of living asset inventory. 7. Develop a plan for the management of Coastal Tea-tree Leptospermum laevigatum behind Flynn’s Beach as it may require active management to avoid development of a monoculture. 75
8. Undertake mapping of pre-European vegetation across the Island to assist with appropriate revegetation: this could be done using ANUCLIM Version 6.1 in reference to the register of ecological models (http://fennerschool.anu.edu.au/research/publications/softwaredatasets/anuclim#newfeatures) 9. Research pollination and reproduction of rare or threatened flora as a basis for reintroduction and improving recruitment of extinct or threatened flora. 10. Enforce burn off or firewood removal from the Nature Park and employ signage where required. Identify carbon sinks within the Nature Park through revegetation, aligning with State Government policy 11. Make a map of foot tracks and rare endangered habitats and show which track sections need relocation In all cases, those implementing the action plan items will be more effective if they can call for relevant maps. For instance, item 4: walking tracks will have to be re-routed away from the most vulnerable areas Revegetation Key projects under the current management plan included the penguin habitat rehabilitation in the Summerland Estate, and at the Penguin Parade. Other notable projects included island-wide Moonah reestablishment, South Point revegetation at Churchill Island, Crooks Plantation and other extensive revegetation works at the KCC. Much of this work would not have been possible without the great support of International Student Volunteers, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Schools, Friends and Coast Action Groups. Over 24,000 plants were used in over 22 revegetation projects across the entire Nature Park. Approx 16,500 plants were propagated in the Nature Park’s nursery. Volunteers collected ten kilograms of native seed. Now, as then, emphasis has to be on monitoring success of the new vegetating covers (Sutter and Downe 2000). Data sources 1. Time series photography from vantage points and (assuming occurrence of conveniently windless days) drones would be useful in this context. 2. sub setting from the annual air photo cover Wetlands and waterways Australian Ecosystems consultants undertook the 2009 November flora survey of Nature Park wetlands and the report was finalised in March 2010. The base-map used was the EVC approach. It highlighted six threatened plant species, one state and seven-bioregion ally threatened vegetation communities (see figure 5.17: Pre 1788 Wetlands map collection from www.dse.vic.gov.au). Botanists were engaged to provide recommendations on protection of rare plants and threatened ecological vegetation communities (Elliot, 1980). Melbourne Water organised a frog survey undertaken by Ecology Partners consultants. They located a Growling Grass Frog (listed as threatened in Victoria under the FFG Act and listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act) at Swan Lake in early March. 76
Figure 5.18: Pre 1788 Wetlands within the Phillip Island Zone Source: DSE GIS Unit Gippsland (19th July 2006) Melbourne Water, in partnership with the Nature Park, organised weed control work in four waterways, which was undertaken by Southern Environmental contractors. There has been much work undertaken at Fisher’s Wetland with funding provided by Envirofund Round 9. This included control of tall wheat grass through slashing, burning and spraying. In addition, there was spraying of Water Couch and Kikuyu infestations. Green Corps assisted in fencing for future planting works. A grant from Melbourne Water assisted with control of weeds in the Rhyll and Rowell wetlands. A Water Watch water quality test kit was purchased to commence monthly water monitoring. Frog monitoring will be undertaken at the same time (www.melbournewater.com.au). Some of the site works are small and need to be mapped in detail in relation to the cadastre. Pest plants The Nature Park has 209 listed weeds. This includes 5 ‘Weeds of National Significance’ and 27 ‘Declared Noxious Weeds’. The remainder are environmental and agricultural weeds. Ranger staff, contractors, Green Corps, volunteers and school groups completed 2054 hours of weed control activity on 42 species. Weeds found from the list of those of national significance were targeted: Bridal Creeper, Gorse, Chilean Needle Grass, Boneseed and Blackberry. New and emerging weeds such as Tall Wheat Grass and Stinkwort, and Kunzia, are controlled at all known locations.
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Figure 5.19: Past Plant, activity and native plants polygon depicting the distribution of weed infestations Source: PINP Management Plan 2006-2011 From detail, mapping high priority established weeds (many of which are garden escapees) were identified (see figure 19). By site, they were contained e.g. Kikuyu, Buffalo Grass, Blue Periwinkle, Agapanthus, Asparagus Fern, as were agricultural weeds such as Thistles, Ragwort, Gorse, Phalaris and Apple of Sodom. Ongoing projects included Boxthorn control follow -up and removal at Cape Woolamai, Surf Beach and Summerland Peninsula. The removal of Sea Spurge has been very successful. Less than half the 107 hours spent on controlling this species was on regrowth in old infestations. A new infestation was located in the tertiary dunes at Cape Woolamai and was removed. Sea Spurge competes with dune vegetation and is detrimental to the viability of Hooded Plover and Short-tailed Shearwater breeding areas. Due to the density of its foliage, they pose a threat to some other endangered plant species. An Envirofund Round 9 Grant was used to protect rare or threatened vegetation and wetland values at Fishers Wetland from Tall Wheat Grass, and at Green Lake and Swan Lake from Kikuyu and Phalaris (PINP Management Plan 2011).
Ecological burns are undertaken in summer/autumn then followed up with contractor spraying. A Melbourne 78
Water grant is being used to control Bridal Creeper in Rhyll Swamp and Rowell Wetland. As part of this project, staff and volunteers are removing a large infestation of Pittosporum. Staff attended a community meeting to organise the island wide distribution of the rust fungus a biological control for Bridal Creeper to aid the long-term control of this weed. The Park was also successful in obtaining a Good Neighbour grant to follow up with Gorse control between Pyramid Rock and Sunderland Bay. Weed mapping and monitoring continued and a herbarium was started that will be an invaluable record of both native plants and weed species (http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/plants-and-animals/invasive-species/invasive-plants).
Habitat protection from Fire Management
The Nature Park is designated as being part of the country area of Victoria as defined in the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 (http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/plants-and-animals/invasive-species/invasive-plants). The role of prevention and suppression of fire within the Nature Park is primarily the responsibility of the Country Fire Authority (NWCG, 2005). The Nature Park commits to planning and conducting fire operations in accordance with the relevant Code of Practice for public land. Nature Park staff have formal fire training and are equipped for first attack, fire prevention and suppression duties. Training has been carried out in conjunction with the Department of Sustainability & Environment and the Country Fire Authority. Nature Park staff may be required to assist with fire fighting duties on Phillip Island or elsewhere in Victoria if necessary. Liaison and joint activities are held with Bass Coast Shire Council and Country Fire Authority staff regarding fire safety, and a protocol has been developed between the Nature Park and the local Brigades (PINP Management Plan 2011, p.64).
Priorities for fire protection have been identified in the Nature Park and involve visitor safety, protection of life and property and the protection of wildlife habitat. In particular, this includes Little Penguin and Shorttailed Shearwater colonies, and koalas at the Koala Conservation Centre (Long, 2009). Evacuation plans are in place for the Penguin Parade and the Summerland Estate, as well as other visitor facility sites in the Nature Park. Wet breaks (a sprinkler system that can wet a significant area and prevent fire 79
or restrict its spread) are currently used as a fire suppression technique at the Penguin Parade. Firebreaks are maintained on the Summerland Peninsula and in other areas as directed by Bass Coast Shire Council and the Country Fire Authority. In the event of bushfire in remote areas of Cape Woolamai and Observation Point, access is likely to be limited to air transport, highlighting the necessity for adequate fire protection and Bushfire Survival Plans for local residents (Stuart, 2004).
Applying GIS Technology to Wild land Fire Management: When it comes to wildfire outbreaks local, state, and federal agencies must be able to respond at a moment’s notice. Protecting life, property, and natural resources requires comprehensive planning, mitigation, coordination, response, and recovery. Agencies must continually improve service levels without increasing budgets. In decision support, deployment of GIS has much to offer in planning, fire fighting mitigation, emergency management of people and livestock and in restoration and reconstruction. Suppression to complex, large-scale incident response involves numerous agencies sharing data and responsibility for turning the data into information. The Geographic Information System (GIS) platform is designed to meet the needs of wildfire protection missions. Given the necessary input data maintenance, it the right tools to make accurate decisions under any conditions (CRMC, 2003). Wildfire Threat and Risk Modelling Previous wildfire risk models developed a relative scale, such as the low, medium, high and extreme firedanger levels for display at the entrances to national forests. Although this scale is useful for informing the public and guiding broad fire planning, it doesn’t fully express wildfire risk (David and others, 2009). Comprehensive risk modelling involves three distinct elements: 1. Wildfire Threat—estimating the probability and intensity of a wildfire occurring at a location. 2. Wildfire Effects—quantifying the impact of the potential loss. 3. Wildfire Risk—combining the threat and effects into a measure of probable loss over time. Agreement about the data and information flows that must be activated in comprehensive risk assessment is prerequisite to mapping for decision support in fire prevention and management (figure 5.20, 5.21).
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Figure 5.20: A flowchart depicts the Key components of Wildfire Risk Assessment (www.geoplace.com)
Figure 5.21: block diagram for the mapping, the prevention and management of fires by GIS application (http://www.gisig.it)
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Figure 5.22: Phillip Island bush-fire prone Areas Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011 Bush Fire prone area planning (figure 2.22) This research has developed specific bush-fire prone Areas maps for PINP and Penguin foundation for vegetation type and distribution, fire history and fire frequency to inform planning and operational decisions. Drawn from numerous existing databases in the PINP this map shows property boundaries and the critical habitat areas and species richness. The resulting datasets will be used by PINP management and Penguin Foundation managers to protect vulnerable ecosystems and species from clam aging wildfire ( Stuart, 2004). GIS technology provides easy-to-use tools for maximizing all types of information and data for planning requirements. GIS stores spatial information in a digital mapping environment that allows rapid selection by fire managers so that data referring to thematic patterns that can influence fire behaviour can be displayed on demand. Factors such as vegetation types, slopes, aspects, natural or man-made barriers, and historical weather patterns can be overlaid to determine fire hazards based on modelling potential fire behaviour (http://www.esri.com/industries/public-safety/wildland-fire-management/gis-used.html). The likelihood of wildfire ignitions can be predicted by locating historical fire locations and identifying potential ignition sources (e.g. power lines, roads, industrial areas, housing areas).
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Additional actions, such as vegetation modification, fire prevention programs, and code compliance, can be planned and modelled using GIS (http://www.esri.com/industries/public-safety/wildland-firemanagement/gis-used.html). Bush Fire prone area: Given that the necessary input data has been maintained, mitigation via GIS allows the decision support team to analyse, visualize, and prioritize values at risk, such as housing developments, utility infrastructure, wildlife, and natural or cultural resources. Many communities use GIS to analyse their vulnerability to wildfire. Information-rich maps help determine the actions necessary for developing effective wildfire protection (www.esri.com/library/brochures/pdfs/wildland-fire-suppression.pdf). PINP environment management people can use GIS to • Determine areas vulnerable to intense fire behaviour. • Identify critical values at risk. • Predetermine fire tactics and strategies. • Establish situational awareness through a GIS-based common operating picture. • Produce key maps and analysis to support fire suppression operations. • Identify and analyse fire damage to develop rehabilitation plans. • Inform the public of changing conditions such as road closures and threatened areas. Response Successful response starts with a map. Ideally, first responders have access to intelligent maps—maps built using databases and powerful modelling capabilities. GIS provides first responders with detailed information when and where they need it for a faster and safer response. For example, with little technical skill required from fire personnel, a GIS application on a dispatcher’s console, vehicle-mounted computer, or handheld PDA will provide detailed information to answer questions such as the following: • Where is the fire located? • What is the best way to access the fire? • What is the terrain and fuel type? • Where are the evacuation routes? • What are the hazards to responding units? • What are the values at risk? • Whose jurisdiction is the incident within? 83
Data sets required for simulation are prepared and maintained prior to operation. These include:
Topography maps
Current Arial photo
Fuel maps
LiDAR
A rate-of -spread calculation model for each vegetation type
In addition to providing first responders with detailed initial response information, the GIS input data can be organized in a way that supplies incident commanders with overall situational awareness including : • Current weather conditions. • Location of on-scene and responding units. • Vegetation conditions. • Predetermined protection priorities. • Evacuation requirements. • Suitable locations for staging and incident command posts. Incident commanders use dynamic, real-time data combined with incident data to expand operations and respond to changing conditions. Deployment of GIS enables fire personnel to conduct rapid and accurate damage assessment and rehabilitation requirements after an emergency. PINP staff members use GIS integration platforms for the collection, analysis, and display of various types of post incident data (figure 5.23-5.24). GIS and GPS-enabled laptops and ArcPad can be used to collect accurate damage information from the field. This data is integrated into a central GIS database for comprehensive analysis and display.
Figure 5.23: ArcGIS Explorer illustrates information collected in the field identifying damaged structures and includes the terrain profile and site-specific photos. Source: www.esri.com/library/brochures/pdfs/wildland-fire-suppression.pdf 84
Figure 5.24: GPS-enabled digital cameras were used to document properties searched after the bush fires Source: www.esri.com/library/brochures/pdfs/wildland-fire-suppression.pdf The GIS map provides an overall view of damage and recovery needs with location-specific photos and reports including • Severity of damage to buildings • Status of infrastructure and utilities • Condition of landscapes • Impact on natural resources This data can be analysed for recovery and rehabilitation funding requests. It can also be quickly shared with (via Google Earth KML files) other agencies and organizations. For instance, Maru Koala Park in Grantville, Phillip Island (Fire Damage) unfortunately, fire in 2009 that resulted in major damage. The damage was severe but one animal escaped serious injury (www.esri.com/publicsafety). Oil Spills “Marine pollution is a significant and real threat to Nature Park values and assets. Seven marine pollution events brought fuel oil onto Phillip Island beaches in the years 2000-2006. Over 690 penguins were treated for pollution over this time, requiring deployment of significant resources. Other animals found oiled included Silver Gulls, Hooded Plovers and Pied Cormorants. Oil and other hydrocarbons and additives generally float on the sea surface and attach to penguin feathers. If left untreated, these pollutants are terminal for penguins and other birds”(PINP Management Plan 2011, p.67). GIS Action Plan 1. Ensure that oil spill contingency planning is current and maintained with appropriate training. 2. Seek cross agency understanding in response capability to oil spill pollution. 3. Create shoreline map for cleanup and oiled wildlife rehabilitation. 4. Maintain equipment stores at the Nature Park to respond to shoreline cleanup or wildlife response. 5. Maintain databases of oil spill volunteers with relevant occupational health and safety training. 85
Undertake more training for new volunteers as required. Improving Plans with GIS Contingency planners in EPA and other response organizations are now using GIS to make contingency plans better and easier to use. GIS facilitates the composition of electronic maps that can focus attention on the locations of things that are important to planners and oil spill responders. For example, planners can make maps that show the locations of sensitive environments, drinking water intakes, roads, oil storage and production facilities, pipelines, and boat launching platforms. Query in GIS can also provide detailed information about each of the items shown on a map, such as how large an oil storage facility or pipeline is, how high the storage facility band is, whether a road is paved, or the times of the year that sensitive species are in the area (www.epa.gov/oem/docs/oil/edu/oilspill_book/chap6.pdf). Adjacent Land Use and Development
The Nature Park has many neighbours. Adjacent land use includes rural, residential development and commercial operations. These uses can have a substantial impact on the aesthetic and natural values of the Nature Park. Future development will also have a strong bearing on the image of Phillip Island and the Nature Park itself (PINP Management Plan 2011, p.67). Problems can occur near residential areas, for example, damage to vegetation, erosion of fragile soils, impacts of domestic animals on wildlife and visual intrusion of buildings in exposed locations. Catchment issues and hydrologic processes may cross boundaries and cause effects downstream in Nature Park managed land. The Nature Park policy includes close working with Bass Coast Shire Council, other organisations and neighbours to minimise impacts on the Nature Park for the protection of wildlife and habitat activity. Integrated management between the Nature Park and its neighbours is an important process for successful conservation and tourism outcomes. Here we give the example of Seagrove new subdivision area (figure 5.25-5.29). The Nature Park is set aside for the conservation of wildlife habitats, and therefore many recreational activities are not appropriate within its boundaries. Abseiling can be a public safety issue, and the locations preferred by climbers at places like Cape Woolamai are also common nesting sites for raptors and other birds. Trail bikes disturb wildlife and other Park users and can damage delicate habitats (PINP Management Plan 2011, p.68). PINP (figure 5.25 – 5.29) maps building and Arial photo within the Cowes area. 86
Figure 5.25: Seagrove_2002 Air photo 0.35cm Residential buildings are near wildfire sensitive habitats Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure 5.26: Seagrove_2004 Air photo 0.35cm More Residential buildings are near wildfire sensitive habitats Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
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Figure 5.27: Seagrove_2006 Air photo 0.15cm Residential buildings are near wildfire sensitive habitats proliferate Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure 5.28: Seagrove_2009 Air photo 0.15cm Residential buildings are near wildfire sensitive habitats closer settlement is on going and so, must also be map up-date for wildfire hazard monitoring Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
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Figure 5.29: Seagrove_2009 LiDAR data based DSM. Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011 The DSM composed can be used for detailed hydrological modelling (see Figure 5.29) to show the effect ground water changes impose on wildlife. Actions plan: Scope for decision support generation using GIS Scope for generating decision support with GIS is evident in regard to the entire list of action plan items (see list immediately below) especially now the detailed DSM is available (see figure 5.29). This is especially so far as those items call for cooperation between PINP and individual landholders, the latter being more likely to collaborate if stakeholder discussions are supported by visualizations of on-demand scenario models. 1. Actively participate in council planning processes where developments on Phillip Island have the potential to negatively impact on Nature Park values. 2. Encourage Bass Coast Shire Council to support and promote sustainable and compatible planning and development activities that improve the amenity of areas adjacent to the Nature Park. 3. Be in consultation with Bass Coast Shire Council and Phillip Island Land care Group, encourage planting of indigenous vegetation on private land and streetscapes. 89
4. Work with neighbours during planning to minimise negative impacts on landscape values, especially along the south coast of Phillip Island. 5. Liaise with Bass Coast Shire Council to make Nature Park and adjoining land consistent in relation to zonings, management action and planning amendments. 6. Liaise with neighbouring landholders about proposed Nature Park developments or management actions, which may affect their interests. 7. Four wheel driving – continue to prohibit in all areas of the Nature Park unless for management vehicles. 8. Sand dune surfing – continue to prohibit in all areas of the Nature Park. 9. Discourage rock climbing and abseiling within the Nature Park except by permit. 10. Trail bike riding – continue to prohibit in all areas of the Nature Park. All the area-based prohibitions should be mapped for public display PINP –sensitive Environment Areas: The operation of aircraft of any type at low levels has the potential to disturb communities and the values of recreational and conservation areas. When aircraft operations occur in uncontrolled airspace (below 8,500 feet), aircraft generally have the freedom to fly wherever they wish above 500 feet (above 1,000 feet in built-up areas). A Fly Neighbourly Agreement (FNA) is an agreement in regard to aviation activities in a defined area that is negotiated between aircraft operators and communities or authorities that have an interest in reducing the disturbance caused by aircraft within that area. A FNA agreement was developed in 2005 for the Nature Park in consultation with the aviation community and enacted in 2006. It is a voluntary agreement in which aircraft operators agree to operate above 1500 feet above mean sea level within one nautical mile of three significant environmental areas (figure 5.30) of Phillip Island including; Cape Woolamai, Rhyll Inlet and Summerland Peninsula and Seal Rocks. Mandatory aviation operating and safety procedures (as well as any aviation requirements relevant to the area) have precedence over an FNA in all circumstances (PINP Management Plan 2011).
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Figure 5.30: Fly Neighbourly Advice (FNA) 3 ones archived at DSE GIS Unit Gippsland (19th July 2006) The PINP instituted wildlife rehabilitation year (2010): Highlights of the year in wildlife rehabilitation included successful establishment of a community Wildlife Rescue and Transport Group. Only six Little Penguins were treated for oil contamination during the year, consistent with the three previous years (Farrugia, 2008). The successful rehabilitation and release of a Northern Giant Petrel (listed as threatened in Victoria under the FFG Act and is nationally listed as vulnerable by the EPBC Act) was an achievement from which much was learnt (PINP annual report 2009/2010). The same report documents in total, 140 Little Penguins as treated for all problems in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in June 2008. Of these, 116 (83%) were adults, 9 (6%) were juveniles and 15 (11%) were chicks. The main causes for admittance were starvation (39%); serious injuries (16%) and heat stress (11%). These misadventures are all relatively common occurrences at certain times of the year and consistent with the record of previous years. Three hundred and sixty six animals other than penguins were also treated in the facility. Seven Pacific Gulls were admitted for fishing hooks and/or line injuries this year. Only three Koalas were admitted to the Koala Conservation Centre’s Rehabilitation Facility. Of the 152 Short-tailed Shearwaters admitted, 131 were admitted within a three-week window in late April, early May during the fledging period. 91
This number is significantly higher than other years. Seventy per cent of these young birds were successfully released with good weight gains recorded in a short time. Rehabilitation Centre staff have been trailing new methods for rehabilitating these birds and they have proved extremely successful (Hemming, 2009). The program to minimise the risk to penguins nesting in the public bus and car parks at the Penguin Parade was continued. The necessary 194 relocations were carried out on 62 adults during September and October. Most ‘new’ adults were successfully relocated and did not breed again in the car park. Nine of the 14 active burrows identified in the car parks produced chicks. The 17 chicks were hand raised for the last two weeks before fledging and released from a safe area within the Penguin Parade. The Nature Park has a 25-year plan to phase out breeding in this area (PINP Management Plan 2011).
GIS for the PINP wildlife rehabilitation: This research website features environmental education for both local community and scientific research. The PINP GIS officer and rangers can assist all staff with the development of the GIS education program for PINP wildlife rehabilitation. This research website also helps create a GIS database, by facilitating collection and assembly of information by various means (e.g. GPS, compasses, data analysis) so that the research website offers data that can be integrated into new information on demand.
Conclusion: As mention in the Phillip Island Natural Parks Management plan 2006-2009, page 55, the Nature Park focuses heavily on protection of its key natural assets by following active management programs. Ongoing protection and regulation measures must be applied to ensure that pest plants and animals are controlled or eradicated, and that the dangers posed by fire, pollutants or people are moderated and rapidly responded to in case of emergency. With increasing recreational use of the Nature Park comes an increased risk to natural values. A permit regime and infrastructure are used to mitigate effects where possible. For the protection of Nature Park values, regulations are applied to access, times and to modes of recreation. Due to the semi-urban tenure of Phillip Island, the management of domestic animals is a significant issue. The dramatic growth in land development on the Island over the past decade has increased the Nature Park’s responsibility for commenting on planning permits and amendments on adjoining and nearby land so that core values can be protected. A range of issues affects the conservation and management of the Nature Park’s fauna. While many of these issues are within the control of the Nature Park, the migratory nature of much of the fauna means that management will need to take into account factors outside the Nature Park boundaries. Again, dynamic on-demand mapping and visualization during public real-time scenario modelling will be advantageous in consensus building.
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Issues inside the Nature Park include monitoring the impacts of introduced predators. Especially vulnerable are penguins, hooded Plovers and other seabird colonies. The pattern of fire prevention in wildlife activity colonies and rare plant community areas; the impacts of human access on the welfare of fauna, (especially disturbance at breeding colonies and at shorebird roosting and feeding sites) and the impacts of Swamp Paperback dieback on waterbird breeding and flora at Rhyll Wetland, are all more predictable when key factors are mapped. Outside-park Jurisdiction factors include road kills of native mammals, reptiles and birds, and injury and death of birds including young shearwaters, which strike overhead power-lines or are hit by traffic. Adjacent land use can cause habitat degradation within the Nature Park, and inappropriate development can degrade water catchments, which support aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Very little mention is given in annual reports and management plans to data handling and spatial modelling. If a critical mass of GIS users can be reached, the decision support options can be increased and many of the problems that are now solved without adding to the spatial data base can brought to add to it instead. Open Source internet GIS technologies can be exploited in creating a wealth of relevant information about various components of Phillip Island developing states and generating an integrated decision support system to assist inland/coastal zone managers in making informed decisions. It is expected that developing an integrated decision support system would enable policy makers, and PINP managers to better understand the linkages between local, regional and global processes, and thus to take more effective management decisions, and come closer to achieving the goal of sustainable development of Phillip Island.
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Chapter 6: The out-reach web GIS for naïve users The out-reach web GIS for naïve users is at http://www.pinpresearch.webs.com/ (see figure 6.1 and 6.2) I created this website for up-grade of spatial data communication in support of improved data integration in PINP management and to encourage the adoption of spatial data and models by naïve GIS users. This website is designed to solve the problem that besets regional environmental managers wishing to increase return on investment in GIS by extending/widening the agency GIS community by including the naïve users but without further significant investment. In blog mode, it represents a repository for information and links to spatial data and information visualization, Video, free GIS software, Environment modelling tools, Web application and the link. It supports exploration of the relationships between information visualization and complex systems in ways that are designed to engage the interest of the naïve GIS users, and thus to increase the tendency for the GIS to be referred to more often. This website provides critical tools for increasing success and efficiency. Accordingly, an executive is presented with a high volume of complex data in analyzed form, as well as free Environment Modelling tools and tutorials. Environmental Modelling (EM) is a platform designed to facilitate rigorous spatial analysis and modelling, create web based GIS, Video streaming for natural conservation and some free tools for data management, Thus may emerge a total GIS solution for natural park managers. The result can be used at consensus building meetings among stakeholders. The Website helps PINP activity by being a new and central tool to
Organize your information and knowledge.
Make informed decisions.
Improve communication.
Increase efficiency.
Share your knowledge with others.
Without cost and travel, learn GIS at leisure
Access to environment management tools and on line tutorials
The Website provides tools to question, interpret, and visualize data. Simply put, the GIS technology deployed gives executives cutting-edge technology to make more-informed decisions. PINP benefits from this website which becomes a transforming technology by allowing businesses to view and analyze data from a geographic perspective. This website integrates business strategy and organizes necessary information for the business needs of decision makers. In addition, it can be adopted as a tool to streamline workflow processes. 94
This website deploys a number of example applications designed in this research to demonstrate the use of these platforms to visualize and communicate Google map, Arc Explorer, and other Free GIS software and application tools for modelling and environmental analysis, of in-house data for the natural resource management system. Also served are GIS outreach and education and “crowd” knowledge-gathering. Arc Explorer is a freely available lightweight GIS data viewer that supports a variety of basic GIS functions. With Arc Explorer, you can display, query, and retrieve data. It can be used as a stand-alone application with local datasets, or as a client for Internet data and map servers and Arc Explorer free web service editing purposes, This webpage http://www.pinpresearch.webs.com/ (see figure 6.1) serves as a demonstration of new open source internet GIS to help managers in decision making and sharing data with other organizations (Köbben, 2008) . This also serves to demonstrate how to provide a map-based interface to other databases of information such as Wikipedia articles. This research is designed to develop several examples of how these platforms can be used to quickly build rich browse and index tools for display of imagery. By providing coverage and information for multiple instruments, the user is given the ability to directly browse another GIS database website and video for animal habitat mapping and conservation, and in its geospatial context, to find or offer quick links to both the raw and processed source data. These, examples show how web site interfaces can dramatically simplify much of the environmental work involved in selecting and obtaining data for GIS analysis This research has been developing and adding a number of extensions for easing further data editing, cleaning, capture, and for organization of these as Web site entities to bring decision-making tools to the naïve users. This website also involves components relevant to the following work: reprocessing of the base map imagery; development of API extensions to provide access to that imagery and other GIS features from within users’ websites; and development of KML (Keyhole Markup Language) content to provide access to that imagery and supporting data from within 3D geo browsers such as Google Earth. Also compatible is a spreadsheet (attribute data) to generate a set of place marks in Google Earth and Maps (Kennedy, 2009). As additional data becomes available and we are able to process it, application of the outcome of this research expands the list of base maps that can be displayed and built upon. Anyone can find Victorian free data locations after finding this web site (http://www.gisoz.com/). In addition, its role in creating the video penguin movement tracking area is worth mentioning. This video is an excellent resource for penguin habitat mapping.
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Figure 6.1: The PINP GIS website: conceptual representation Making decisions based on geography is basic to human thinking. Where do we go, what will it be like, and what shall we do when we get there?
This website provides free and open source GIS software applications, the PINP map, geospatial data and shape files, tutorials and resources for not only managers also students, geographers, GIS professionals, geographers and non geographers, but to cartographers and non cartographers alike. This research also provides access to free satellite and aerial photography imagery and maps, Google Earth & Maps, mash-ups, resources and tools; topographic maps, and GPS applications, data and software. Some of the main categories and recent additions are listed below. Users will be invited to explore the spatial element of data that is becoming more freely available.
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Figure 6.2: Example of PINP Research website: display from query (http://www.pinpresearch.webs.com/) This out-reach improvement experiment can be tested by logging visitations The PINP GIS officer and Rangers currently use this site (figure 6.2).They are happy to learn different types of data analysis. If they have any query, they send it by email from this website: (http://pinpresearch.webs.com/apps/location/contact). Links are provided for identification of local priority issues for the natural environment, biodiversity management of beaches and bushland reserves, clean productive agriculture climate change impacts and adaptations as the first step to designing the open-site linkage tree. A range of users has commented upon the PINP research website. PINP managers helped introduce me to other stakeholders and in evolving GIS data solutions. Comments on the first stages of this outreach phase of the project include: “Wonderful protection of very lovable cute Koala. Work well done” “Excellent innovation. We must protect this lovely species. Tracking penguins and monitoring their movements are effective way to ensure their viability” This is encouraging is on the appeal to all stakeholders that the adoption of the” Neogeography approach” depends.
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6.1 PINP Research website: PINP Atlas is my MA research project that has the ambitious goal of being a useful resource for the various audiences that make up the management constituency of the Phillip Island Coastal Zone. From this website, everyone can enjoy GIS training. This Research is a depot for traditional and digital information, which can be used to inform decision-making relating to the PINP. I provide background information for different GIS systems, access to interactive mapping, online geospatial analysis tools, videos, open source GIS, free environment analysis tools, Modelling, 3DVisualization and direct download access to various planning and natural resource data sets relating to PINP management.
6.2 PINP Research website: Utility Spatial Analysis is important for the parks in order that data on ecology, economics, and sociology can be integrated for monitoring changes in landscape and vegetation. Linking GIS data models with GIS is useful because it allows managers to perform GIS query and model experiments. This website also introduce the implications of GIS for making management decisions that have support that is more political and the complications that are involved with using open source GIS. This website also involves ecological principles and methods, land and environmental impact assessment, design and analysis of experiments and surveys, and spatial measurement, mapping and analysis. PINP management can build-up an ability to apply their knowledge to cross-disciplinary areas, especially those relating to environmental issues implemented in GIS. Here is an opportunity to undertake a wide choice of soil, ecological restoration, conservation biology, water, and wildlife or vegetation projects. This 3D visualization web based approach will help to address PINP planning, resource management issues and develop an on-going GIS program to ensure efficient use of GIS resources. The three-dimensional model approach provides opportunities to communities to review, explore, and evaluated expert’s data representations. The web-based, 3D interactive functionalities have the potential to facilitate systematic and expert local knowledge (Lin and Batty, 2009) page 151. This approach is offered with tools designed for use by local communities (see appendix 10).
6.3 PINP Research website Feedback potential: This research website in designed to present an analysis of feasible options and to make recommendations for future directions for the PINP GIS data management. In reflecting on the opportunities, GIS systems could provide, the PINP GIS team identified an opportunity for the management decision makes to adopt a proactive approach and show leadership through the establishment of an appropriate GIS system.
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The research recommended that the PINP adopt a staged approach towards the full implementation of an online open source learning and deployment of the GIS data system, database management, monitoring and analysis. This would demonstrate the potential and benefits of further investment in GIS services while also undertaking preliminary steps toward the development of a comprehensive information privacy, security and quality policy. Many models, reports, measurements, video, article, web link, complement the databases and photos that are readily accessible to the potential users of the knowledge. Neogeographic Tools to Create Open-Access Data: Using only Google Earth to Map Vacant Land Parcels in PINP area. This research website demonstrates the use of neogeography tools to overcome a lack of free, public, and detailed data on vacant land parcels in PINP and simplified method that uses freely available Google Earth satellite imagery and digitizing tools to manually identify vacant lands. This method results in a quantitative description of the total area of vacant land in two neighborhoods in PINP. This research emphasizes the possibility of this technique to enable citizen-based development of geospatial data for a variety of activist and planning purposes (Peter, 2010).
6.4 PINP Research website: exemplification of ArcMap Integration with Google Earth Currently, GIS users can only access information in Doc, PDF, or image format, which confines query to one layer of information. This does not provide users with the full power of GIS. Other organizations use GIS as a front-end viewer to data from a number of in-house databases. This enables users to view data Management, Permit, Inspection, Customer Request, and other corporate systems through the GIS. The simplicity of access to data and the full power of a spatial view of corporate data provide significant benefits to users of ArcMap: File-based Storage of Map layers, on the other hand, imposes other particular problems: GIS data is currently stored in a file-based system. This imposes a number of issues:
It is very difficult to apply security to individual map files to define those users who have only read permissions and no edit permissions
It is difficult to maintain multiple versions of map data to enable roll-back in the event of incorrect update / editing
It is difficult to track who is editing map data and who needs to create it.
There is no restriction on which objects within a map a particular user can view
Data in different map files cannot be related. This means that if an object in one map file is dependent on an object in another (i.e. kerb and channel is dependent on the road segment object), 99
then these two objects have to be updated separately.
It is more difficult to associate text with spatial objects without integrative display (e.g. Google Earth or one of the licensed ESRI modules meant to be used with ArcMap). This often means that the text (e.g. Road Names) is stored in a separate file.
Often a complete dataset is stored in many files because one file would be prohibitively large. This makes it more difficult to get a complete view of a dataset.
6.5 Google Earth: Functionality (Content selected from 3 Feb 2009 Google Earth 5.0)(see figure 6.3) Once you have created your map using ArcGIS, it is time to share it with the world (http://sites.google.com/site/envshelpwiki/welcome/googleearth). One important step in this process is in converting your ArcMap files into Google Earth's format known as KMZ (the zipped version of Google's keyhole markup language file): In ArcMap Data View, the map is prepared as follows:
Hide any background photo layers; Google Earth will supply this for you. Also, hide any complex layers (e.g. streets) you have been using as background! Remember: Google Earth provides all this background, so if you leave those elements in you will have a huge and virtually unreadable KMZ. You may wish to make opaque layers (e.g., filled polygons) partially transparent so you can see through them in Google Earth; experiment with settings up to about 50 percent transparency.
Layout View, add a legend to your map. Make sure all legend items are clearly understandable! Do not worry about adding anything else (e.g. north arrow, descriptive text) as it will not be included in the KMZ conversion.
If you haven't done so already, clip your data to a boundary file (e.g., PDX Metro or a watershed boundary), as Google Earth will by default display the full extent of your data, not simply the extent you see in Layout view.
ArcMap Integration with Google Earth: first save your map, and then convert to KMZ format using Arc Toolbox (turn it on if not already visible): ·
Conversion Tools > To KML > Map to KML.
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Under Map Document, select your current file (Data Frame is generally OK as is).
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Under Output File, choose a location and filename for your KMZ file
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Enter 1 for scale (it's N/A but you have to enter a number)
6.5.1 Performance and validation of Google Earth approach to sharing spatial data Is Google Earth too slow on your computer? There are some quick steps you can take to improve 100
performance. These include:
Reduce the number of items from My Places folder
Make sure need latest video drivers
Change 3D viewer options - These include display, detail, and terrain quality and graphics mode. Learn more in the user guide.
Be sure computer meets the system requirements
A limitation of Google Earth is its lack of built-in spatial and analytical functionality essential in proprietary Internet Mapping Services like ESRI’s ArcIMS.
Build a database and interface for data sharing
Apply a unified display across all data either by applying shared styles across a given folder, or by applying a style template to vector data. For shared styles, one can follow the guidelines in Editing Places and Folders for details on setting shared altitude, line, label, and icon properties. Style templates can be applied to the imported data at any point in time. After users have imported vector data into Google Earth, they can use the 'Table Window' to display the data fields contained within the vector data:, select Table from the 'Tools' menu and the window appears over the Google Earth application, listing the data fields of all place mark items in tabular form Google Earth (Keyhole Markup Language) The Valuator performs strict validation of KML files against the latest version of the OGC KML Standard. A set of tests was produced from the Standard, and these tests are run against a submitted KML file. The resulting report is presented through the interface, and can be used to fix or improve the KML file. The larger the size of file that you are trying to validate, the longer the validation process will take. However, because of processing time, the Valuator is configured to validate files up to 2 megabytes in size. If you submit a file larger than 2 megabytes, you may get a proxy error or a message that the file was rejected. Proxy errors are most often caused when a KMZ archive that is less than 2 megabytes in size contains a KML file that is larger than 2 megabytes” ( www.kmlvalidator.com/content/faq.htm). 6.5.2 How Google Earth can be used to deploy this application When you import point and line vector data into Google Earth, you can determine how you want your data displayed in one of two ways:
Apply a unified display across all data - Do this either by applying shared styles across a given folder, or by applying a style template to your vector data. For shared styles, follow the guidelines in Editing Places and Folders for details on setting shared altitude, line, label, and icon properties. Style templates can be applied to your imported data at any point in time. 101
Edit individual data elements or folders - Follow the guidelines described in Editing Places and Folders for information on editing individual place marks
Deployment Options of Google Earth: Flexible, scalable Google Earth Enterprise can easily support a few, indeed thousands, of users, whether they are connected to the internet or working in areas where connectivity is limited.
6.5.3 Importing GPS information (in this case from a GARMIN unit) Directly into Google Earth Here is a good option for PINP field data capture from GPS: you can import your GPS tracks and waypoints directly into Google Earth if you do not need to manipulate this data using GIS. 1. First, start Google Earth on your computer. Once it is running, connect your GPS unit to the computer via USB cable. 2. Turn on your GPS unit - it is not necessary to wait until it connects to any satellites. (You can temporarily disable satellites on your Garmin GPS: when you see it attempting to connect, hit the Menu key and choose the first option to turn the satellites off.) 3. From the Tools menu, select GPS. 4. Choose the correct manufacturer of the GPS unit you are using (ENVS GPS devices are made by Garmin). The remaining options may be left at their default values. Then click on Import . 5. Now that you have imported your GPS data you probably want to save it in Google Earth format. You will notice a new folder was created as a temporary place to hold your data: select this or an enclosed folder, and choose Edit > Get Info to edit the name and description. You can also edit information for any of your tracks or waypoints (called place marks in Google Earth.exe). You can do is add an image to a place mark: first upload it to Picasa, then with the image displayed online in Picasa click Link to this Photo and copy/paste Embed Image text in the description box (http://enviro.lclark.edu/earth). 6. When you are done with editing, make sure all that is referenced to the above is in one folder, then click on the folder and select File > Save > Save As. to save your C:\GIS_WORK\Phillip_island \KML folder
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Figure 6.3: The concept of layers now in Google Earth Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
6.6 Testing open-source options for visualisation. Applications of the new approach: Google Earth based visualisation ( 3D model ) 1. In many cases, users want a simple way to view the high-resolution topography provided by LiDAR without dealing with GIS-compatible DEMS or point clouds. In these situations, Google Earth (or similar virtual globes) provides an excellent way to view hill shades of LiDAR-derived topography. The Google Earth files (KMZ), can offer LiDAR-derived images via the internet and will allow seamless browsing of massive amounts of data in Google Earth. Simply call for the KML/KMZ versions of your files and load it into Google Earth to get started (http://enviro.lclark.edu/earth). These are “Tools for converting LiDAR data into Google Earth overlays - contours and reflectance imagery. There are also Earth Plot Software Tools for Google Earth, and free tools for custom garmin vector maps. FUSION, created by the USFS is for visualizing LiDAR data. It is fractional and it is free (www.lidarbb.cr.usgs.gov). The USFS Remote Sensing Applications Centre in Utah is supporting it. Many free tools for LiDAR data editing and visualization” are available now for free downloading (www.lidarbb.cr.usgs.gov).
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Global Mapper and Basic Visualization of LiDAR DEMs Global Mapper (http://www.globalmapper.com/) is presented here as a low cost alternative to 3D Analyst Extension for ArcGIS for users who do not have access to allied ESRI products. Global Mapper supports many common raster, elevation and vector GIS datasets and this software offers easy import and export of LiDAR DEMs as well as 3D visualization and raster imagery overlays.
This research will provide an overview on importing GLW DEMs into Global Mapper as well as some of the basic analysis and visualization capabilities of the software. More information on Global Mapper, trial software and information on purchasing the software is available at http://www.globalmapper.com/ The GIS database management system prepared for the PINP management community is to support decision-making and preparation of policy-making. PINP shape file restructure can be on the (geo) data output of a land use model. A number of environmental, ecological and spatial effects however are hardly interpretable from these maps: for example, Population density area effects of fauna or the effects of land use planning, because a change of colour in such a map only depicts the transition to a different type of land use. Three-dimensional visualizations might help to communicate the environmental, ecological and spatial effects of environmental gradients to stakeholders and decision-makers. The approach calls for GIS software Global Mapper11 that easily imports LiDAR data and supports ASCII Text files.
Importing LiDAR ASCII text file into Global Mapper ( figure 6.4 and 6.5) Launch Global Mapper: Start>All Programs>Global Mapper> Global Mapper 9 Once open, select “Open Your Own Data Files”
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Figure 6.4: Global Mapper data open file format (www.globalmapper.com)
Figure 6.5: Generic ASCII Text File Import Option (www.globalmapper.com) Once you have defined the dataset projection and selected “OK”, Global Mapper will then load the DEM. Once loaded, you will see something that looks like this:(figure 6.6)
Figure 6.6: Cape Woolamai DEM with Building vector layer Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011 105
3D Visualization: In addition to map view visualization of the LiDAR DSM, Global Mapper also offers good 3D visualization (figure 6.7-6.9). With data loaded in Global Mapper, choose the “Show 3D View” button: Launching the 3D view will bring up a new widow which shows the same data in an interactive 3D perspective. You can spin, drag, and the view to change the perspective. Buttons across the top of the view allow you to modify the vertical exaggeration quickly. The models are ready for export (figure 6.10-6.12).
Figure 6.7: A quick 3D view for exemplification Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure 6.8: Summerland area Path Profile/Line of sight Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure 6.9: Seagrove Area 2002 0.35cm aerial photo 2D and LiDAR 2010 3D visualisation Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
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Export LiDAR DEMs to Google Earth KML File
Figure 6.10: Export Web Format Google Earth (www.globalmapper.com)
Figure 6.11: Export vector data (www.globalmapper.com) Once Global Mapper has finished exporting the LiDAR DEM to KML(Keyhole Markup Language), you can navigate to wherever you saved it and open it with Google Earth. Note that you can adjust the transparency of the LiDAR overlay using the slider on the left hand menu so that you can effectively “merge the LiDAR topography with the high-resolution aerial photography in Google Earth.
Figure 6.12: LiDAR topography with the high-resolution satellite image in Google Earth transparency 107
Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure 6.12a: PINP system viewers Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011 ArcGIS and Basic Visualization of LiDAR DEMs ASCII Text (elevation point) data is directly opened as an Elevation Grid from a 3D point cloud and map composition archived with ArcGIS 3D visualisation capabilities (ArcMap and ArcScene). See figure 6.14 Tree distribution Data Collect (2D and 3D) visualisation.
Figure 6.13: Extrusion Value In the process of projecting features in a two-dimensional data source into a three-dimensional representation: points become vertical lines, lines become planes, and polygons become three-dimensional blocks. Uses of extrusion include showing the depth/height of point features (e.g. wells and poles) or the height of buildingfootprint polygons (see figure 6.13). Arc Scene is one of two applications provided by the 3D Analyst extension and allows you to effectively manage your 3D GIS data, perform 3D analysis, create 3D features, and display layers with 3D viewing properties. You can create 3D features from existing two-dimensional (2D) GIS data, or you can digitize new 108
3D vector features and graphics in ArcMap using a surface to provide the z-values. ArcScene allows you to make realistic scenes in which you can navigate and interact with your GIS data, as in the following 3D view of utility poles and power lines (see figure 6.14 - 6.15).
Figure 6.14: Extract from tree and Building data collection from LiDAR 3D visualisation Cowes area Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure 6.15: Extract from Summerland area LiDAR topography in Google Earth. Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
PINP environment management decision maker starts up Internet to find out the latest scenario story lines and model outcomes for land use in the near future. Via a web viewer, in this case Google Earth, the decision maker and stakeholder alike may look at the intended land use changes. Navigation over and through the Phillip Island area as presented by recently collected high resolution aerial photos (.15 cm) and LiDAR data were used to add 3D presentations of built up areas and derivations that represent the impact on current ecology. This Database also supports colour ramp height representation. Depending on the height of the user viewpoint, the land use information will change to detailed mode upon zooming in. Open source GIS or Commercial software: which solution is the best? This research does not frame the dichotomous view "open source vs. Commercial". Because many 109
commercial products offer open source versions, those are orthogonal concepts. At PINP research, we use commercial products: ArcView but some product from the same source like Arc Explorer are free. Free GIS Data Viewers exists for a variety of GIS formats. These viewers allow you to display geographic data as well as perform some basic GIS functions. Commercial solutions are compatible with open source solutions. This research tries to indentify (for those without a GIS background) how management can use GIS. Open source can give support wherever needed if IT support is on hand. Without any cost and knowledge, stakeholders can successfully use GIS for planning purposes if the spatial data is accessible. Choosing open rather than a commercial software source will definitely be a cheaper option. ArcGIS is able to perform on-line geo processing tasks. However for just serving WMS or WFS/WCS, I would advise the OSS stack. Wanting the geo processing options, use Arc GIS, but be aware of the license fee. Phillip Island Natural Park does not have the full ESRI suite of products (would normally cost in the order of $150k) but to ArcView10, ArcGlobe, ArcScane, ArcPad has been added Global Mapper 12. Internally, ESRI products maintain the data at central DSE locations and outside stakeholders use Google Earth. Application of this approach is not for all organizations. It depends of usage. If anyone wishes to process data on the server or is in need of constant technical support, PINP will not have enough resources (knowledge) to improve/customize the full, open source GIS software solution. Adoption of ESRI ArcView is better suited to these tasks. However if you have simple tasks like delivering data through WMS, WFS, WCS and relative small amounts of data, then use open source solutions will be adequate for increasing/encouraging the GIS user community . PINP users can do the following when using an ArcView license:
Read, display, and query all types of data in file and personal geodatabases.
Read, display, and query all types of data in ArcSDE geodatabases to which you have been granted SELECT privileges.
Create, edit, and alter the schema of simple tables, feature classes, feature datasets, raster catalogues, raster datasets, and mosaic datasets in file or personal geodatabases.
Create, edit, and alter locators, toolboxes, and some specialized datasets available with specific ArcGIS extensions in file and personal geodatabases. See the section "ArcView and specific geodatabase functionality in file and personal geodatabases" in this topic for a list of these datasets.
This research used Arc GIS for GIS with the PINP officer and adapted the open source Solution for stakeholders/ naïve users.
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Limits imposed by lack of export developers Arc Explorer and Google Earth offer free coding : if anyone wants to develop their query series they can do it. With regards to raster data, it is wise to leave it in files rather than some kind of DB format. Global Mapper uses various input types of data but for optimal performance, you will need to convert them to special format like ECW (former ER Mapper), jp2 or .otdf (optimized tile delivery format) for best performance. Your 5Tb of raster data is compressed or uncompressed. Open source solution for raster data increases performance during caching, scaling and compression. In commercial use, optimized file formats (uncompressed -otdf, compressed-ecw, jpg; and with overviews) with protocols are used. All formats mentioned are commercial. Even more, protocols available for delivering data are also commercial (ecwp, jpip, ArcXML). WMS or WCS in combination with older formats gives very good results but less faithful than ecw or jpg. This research-explored cost saving even though the PINP GIS professional does not use the open source GIS. Open source is an option for naïve users of PINP because of the cost limitations on using the GIS. A license cost is only a fraction of the real overall cost involved in working with spatial data. Manpower, costs a lot more. Data, acquired know-how, and the GIS user sustainability are the real issues. Which “order of buttons” in software XY give results for the naïve users? Later they might achieve the same with any software, after using as naïve users. The test should be on going so that optimal solutions can be identified in changing times. Why we need to open source GIS Google Earth GIS is an excellent tool in providing spatially referenced information. Google Earth has made it possible for naïve users to get the very basic information about a location, how to reach it, and how to find the shortest path to another location. Introduction of GIS at a grass roots level is still a far goal. Delivering the knowledge and understanding of GIS to a critical mass of PINP users of relative value of licence, open source and other stakeholder staff will use GIS to get maximum benefit by the use of this technology. For the management, the open source GIS provides efficient, interactive and user-friendly interfaces to the general public, Stakeholders, will experience: • Ease of use (visualization) 111
• User-friendly Interface (interactivity) • Platform independence (any operating system) • Good response time (client's perspective) • Maximum throughput (system’s perspective) All these attributes represent key requirements in the GIS development life cycle and help in evaluating the successful design output. The approach is based on the open source model/framework, in the service of spatially related discussions in PINP planning and related activities. In order to achieve this objective, attention is paid to the following questions: 1. To what extent does the proposed open source fulfill needs by integrating the Web-based GIS for online participation meetings? 2. Does the design of a spatial data-handling component help the public to explore the spatial contexts and related issues under planning, with and without accessing the forum? 3. Can the usage of open source solutions yield a cost-effective solution? How? 4. Does the open source solution provide a user-friendly, fast and accurate GIS-enabled public participation platform with knowledge-based resources? GIS & Data Systems: Long Term Plans for PINP GIS Development Plan Initiatives
Implement a pilot program to investigate the relative capability of ESRI and open source GIS, to reduce the potential risk associated with lack of minor and major upgrades of current GIS software.
Provide regular updates and maintain ongoing assembly of time series aerial photography on a 2 yearly basis
Implementing Arc Explorer Desktop, Arc Reader and Google Earth to manage corporate GIS data to improve data integrity management.
Align GIS asset spatial data (i.e. Geodatabase Structure) with corporate asset registers (i.e. textural asset data stored in various asset systems).
Implement integration to other corporate systems
Further, enable mobile computing capability across the organisation.
Develop Metadata and data catalogue to enable users to easily find and use data 112
Define and develop Power User Roles and Responsibilities
Review Data Management / Governance Protocols
Link all types of attribute data with the GIS system
Web map publish (Publication ,report, analysis, modelling, presentation)
All Hardcopy map (A˚, A², A¹) convert to digital format from arc readers
GIS data directory (source of data and path)
Elevation map /Bathymetry /Contour (10 m/5 m/2m/1m/.5m/.25m) made coherent
Customize software/tools ( plan wise)
Annual GIS work Report every year in Google Earth website
Regular map book in JPG and PDF format in web
Collect historic maps from different sources
Field Survey data up-date to be maintained
Longer Term Goals
Install open source GIS Arc Explorer with a staged approach across the organisation, with particular interest for work areas needing service via a dynamic 2-way link
Increase our use of LiDAR data to explore further applications that will benefit PINP
Develop regional GIS linkages to share data across Gippsland LGAs.
Publish dynamic maps to PINP Web site to enable public users to access PINP GIS.
Review and Implement GIS Risk Management Protocols.
Review Planning Scheme Update Process.
Work with IT/Comms to develop a single point of truth address register that would be used across all corporate applications.
Continually make the GIS, smarter, faster, more intuitive, integrated, seamless, automated
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Chapter 7 Exemplification: Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation: Phillip Island Perspective “You don’t believe in climate change, it is not a religion. You are either persuaded by the science or you are not”. Dr Ian McPhail, Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability for Victoria Government 2009 “Today we're seeing that climate change is about more than a few unseasonably mild winters or hot summers. It's about the chain of natural catastrophes and devastating weather patterns that global warming is beginning to set off around the world… the frequency and intensity of which are breaking records thousands of years old”. Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, 3rd April 2006 “Climate Change is an environmental challenge. It is an economic challenge. And it directly affects Australia’s long term sustainable prosperity”. Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia, 4th February 2007 “There is clear evidence now that the climate is becoming more extreme. Those people that doubted it... we have had temperatures of 48 degrees”. John Brumby, Premier of Victoria, 9th February 2009 Impacts on biophysical characteristics
Predicted change in biophysical characteristics
Average temperature
Increase by 0.5 – 1.1º by 2030 Increase by 0.9 – 3.5º by 2070
Annual average number of days with temperatures > 35º (currently 2 – 7, depending on location)
Increase by 1 – 3 by 2030 Increase by 1 – 17 by 2070
Impacts on biophysical characteristics
Predicted change in biophysical characteristics
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Average rainfall
Decrease between 0 - 8% by 2030 Decrease between 0 – 23% by 2070
Extreme rainfall 2 hr events
Increase by 15 – 25% Increase by 20 – 70% Increase by 3 – 22% Increase by 17 – 61% Decrease by 2 – 16% Increase by 19 – 48%
12 hr events 72 hr events
Impacts on biophysical characteristics
Predicted change in biophysical characteristics
Sea-level rise-Westernport
Increase up to 0.49m by 2070
Sea-level rise- Southern coastline
Increase not less than 0.80m by 2100 (VCS)
Sea-level rise –Inverloch
Increase by 0.58m by 2100 (GCB)
Impacts on biophysical characteristics
Predicted change in biophysical characteristics
Return period for storm surge event in Westernport (currently 1:100 yr event)
1:40 yrs – 1:6 yrs by 2030 and 1:20 yrs – 1:1 yr by 2070
Storm surge height in Cowes (1:100 yr event currently 2.10m)
2.29m by 2030 and 2.74m by 2070
Inundation area Western Port (1:100 yr event)
Up to 12.6 sq km by 2030 and 17.7 sq km by 2070
Impacts on biophysical characteristics
Predicted change in biophysical characteristics
Annual average number of days of very high or Increase by 1 – 2 by 2020 extreme forest fire risk (currently 5 – 12 depending on location) Increase by 1 – 7 by 2050 Table 7.1: Climate change factsheet Feb2011 (http://www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/Services/Environmental_Management/Climate_change_information) Source: Data from Impacts of Climate Change on Settlements in the Westernport Region, Westernport Greenhouse Alliance Report, June 2008 unless noted. Source: Data from Victorian Coastal Strategy November 2008 Source: Data from Climate Change, Sea level Rise and Coastal Subsidence along the Gippsland Coast, Central Coastal Board July 2008
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Victoria 2008 State of the Environment report predicts: higher temperatures of 0.6°C to 1.2°C by 2030 with increases between 0.9°C and 3.8°C by 2070. Very high or extreme fire danger days across southeastern Australia expected to increase by up to 25% by 2020 and up to 230% by 2050 (for southeastern Australia). Drought frequency is likely to increase between 10% and 80% in the southern half of the State and by between 10% and 60% in the north by 2070. Victoria 2008 State of the Environment report predicts: Storm surges of up to 2.3 metres above sea level could be expected by 2070. Such events may occur as frequently as once in 5 years by 2070. Similar predictions for Western Port Region every 4 years with episodes of a land area inundation increase of 63%. Summary of findings The reports have confirmed that there will be impacts from: Sea level rise; Changes to rainfall patterns and intensity; Increasing severity from storm surge; Increased bushfire activity; and Increased frequency of heat waves. All will have an impact, particularly on the communities in coastal areas. What does this mean for the PINP and, more broadly, the Phillip Island management Perspective? Modelling that is useful for decision support includes sea level rise modelling, but this is only if it can offer detail enough to separate land parcels in terms of relative vulnerability. Fortunately, there is complete LiDAR coverage for Phillip Island (funded by the Future Coasts initiative (http://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au) and so the DEM of necessary spatial resolution (e.g. see link at www.gracegis.com.au ) has been used for, so far, building the models (see appendix 9). Clearly, for any area covered by the LiDAR data, georeferenced models can be composed and queried on 116
demand. Key models can be archived for viewing and simple query on the PINP website so that stakeholders can discuss options while referencing to the same detailed models.
Figure 7.1: 3D representation of the topographic DEM data Ventnor and Cowes area Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011 Given the availability of my models the regional resource managers and land use planners can regard the use of an open source internet GIS like Google map as among stakeholder communication repositories for credible models in assigning land –parcel status to given scenarios in the sea level rise debate during deliberations about the best way to “ protect coastal assets”(figure 7.12-7.13). (See PINP Management Plan 2006-2011, page 56).
Figure 7.2: What are some of the risks, impacts and consequences for which the models might be referred to Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011 Risk – Loss of foreshore reserves and public infrastructure Effect due to climate change impacts
Consequence 117
Erosion and damage to the reserve.
Loss of income and tourism.
Facilities unusable due to damage or
Cost to Council to repair damage or
Loss.
install protective measures.
Loss of asset itself (e.g. Foreshore
Loss of low cost recreation for
area and open space).
Community.
Loss of access to the beach.
Reduction in real estate values.
Reduced visual amenity.
Loss of remnant vegetation/habitat. Degradation of lifestyle for residents.
Risk – Degradation of coastal farmland Effect due to climate change impacts
Consequence
Loss of farmland pasture to erosion.
Economic hardship.
Water damage from increased flash
Social dislocation.
Flooding.
Loss of land value.
Salt incursion.
Lower productivity.
Changes to water table.
Increased food production costs.
Loss of fencing. Degradation of animal health.
Risk – fall in real estate values Effect due to climate change
Consequence
impacts Erosion of coastal areas.
Potential liability claims against Council.
Catastrophic loss of houses.
Loss of rates.
Loss of visual amenity.
Change in demographic and socio
Imposition of planning controls.
economic mix of population.
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Degradation of beach quality.
Financial stress on home owners.
Loss of confidence in properties
Land returned to farming or other
near the beach.
land use.
Adverse comment in the media.
Social dislocation.
The highest priority risks identified from this research 1. Loss of coastal reserves (including beaches) such that private land finds itself on the shoreline. 2. Loss of housing built to close to public land on retreating shore 3. Planning decisions prove to have misdirected development into areas affected by inundation or storm surge. 4. Increased demand for Council services and resources (human and financial) to develop plans, implement strategic responses and repair or replace facilities. 5. Loss of infrastructure including buildings, utilities and roads. 6. Impacts on biodiversity including habitat. The high priority risks identified 1. Uncertainty over or lack of planning controls in areas affected by coastal inundation and/or flooding. 2. Loss or degradation of beaches and foreshore areas. 3. Flooding of essential public infrastructure in low-lying areas. 4. Loss of road access due to coastal inundation and/or flooding. 5. Increased flash flooding due to drainage system being overwhelmed. 6. Loss of use of sports grounds and other recreational areas. 7. Loss of biodiversity, especially coastal and freshwater species. 8. Increase in frequency or intensity of wildfires. 9. Health impacts of extreme temperatures. What is PINP doing? PINP can claim to: have taken a proactive approach in initiating and implementing policies and programs to understand and address issues related to climate change. 119
Providing information to residents and developers while being involved in preparing regional reports, which have taken a risk management approach, by identifying the impacts and looking at what adaptations and responses can be made to reduce the risks to the community. Also by holding a workshop with local agencies to identify localised impacts adaptations and responses.
Using this data, Council will be refining the information and identifying what its responses and actions will be now and in the future.
The outcome of a recent stakeholder Workshop has been summarised thus: PINP will now be refining the information for our local community for sites that have been identified in the Reports as being at risk.
Discussion This Chapter must address the following questions after the approach to solving the decision support problems mentioned above have been tested by monitoring the outcome of stakeholder professional development workshops designed to establish the naïve GIS users’ community with enough coherence for
In-house members to contribute to data maintenance and deployment of spatial models in decision support and for
Stakeholder members to take part not only in data assembly and maintenance but also in scenario modelling and public participation in the planning process.
The outcomes of this workshop will help also implementation of a flood management plan in collaboration with together with Melbourne Water, and result included identifying the overland flows and improving the quality of the drainage data to give an accurate representation of the impacts on the Cowes area drainage infrastructure (see appendix 6). Water and Waste Magazine in term results are reported in position magazine (Position June/July 2011-No.53, page 24-26). The LIDAR DEM offers a more accurate catchments flow map. PINP originally only had 10 m contours, which did not give them sufficient refinement to run GIS models to establish the overland flows on a large scale. With only 10 m contours (prior to the availability of the LIDAR DEM). PINP knew they had issues 120
but had no cost effective way to deal with them. LIDAR gave them the opportunity to find solutions to a many related problems. The biggest problem was sea level rise and this was originally, what the LIDAR data was captured for. New spatial data management tools that did not previously exist (see LiDAR and hydrology tools list) had to be created using open source, in order to create the data sets and visual representations in three dimensional models to help explain the possible scenarios of storm events, flooding and sea level rising over time, and what impact that might mean for the communities living in and around the PINP. The first use of the LIDAR was to model the seal level rise scenario. This output enabled PINP to identify assets that were under threat. This research work refers not only to building website for naïve users but also realisation of other benefits of LIDAR, such as modelling a number of natural and artificial watercourses which are hidden by coastal vegetation. Tools (see below) were also built to separate the vegetation map from the other data. The identification of the ground features using the LIDAR enabled PINP to see where water may encroach on the land in ways we previously were not aware off. Once they were able to “see through” the vegetation, other flood risks and access points were identified.
Figure 7.3: Comparison of Sea level rise at 0m AHD (top) and 10m AHD Below Source: The Australian magazine of survey, mapping & geo-information. June /July 2011 –No.53,Page 24-26. Programming services The PINP workshop also explains the nature of customize tools to automate its quality review processes, reduce error, increase confidence in GIS data and streamline the error correction workflow. The PINP GIS 121
officer can give data error quality assurance, and defined decisions made and by using, customized tools The in-house development of spatial data management tools built in Python scripting, AML, ArcView-avenue scripting, visual basic products have included: LiDAR Tools ·
Extraction of the whole of PINP vegetation data using LIDAR data
·
LIDAR .25 m Contour extraction tool
·
LiDAR Classification of height tools
·
Relationships between image pixel size DEM Image
·
Total PINP water bodies extract from LiDAR and relief map
·
Create LIDAR tools automatically extracts attributes of features, such as building height, area, perimeter, roof type, tree crown
·
Creation of DEM for all the various communities to .25m accuracy. e.g. Rhyll, Cowes
·
Fixing the Road dataset and automatically extract LiDAR-based urban road and road-edge detection.
·
Feature Extraction tools - Creation of a building database and confirmation of boundaries (30,000 building layer we can create within 2 weeks)
QC Tools (Data Quality Control) ·
Feature counting tool (Total Statistics tools – open any spatial database and analyse the data quickly)
·
Auto Snapping checking and error correction
·
Fixing the DSE road database and correcting this automatically
·
Error find out from Dummy Z
·
Check Object all feature class (identify all kind of error to correct the cadastre automatically to different tolerances –Roads, streams any line layer)
·
Fixing the DSE Cadastral boundaries and removing duplicate records from tools
·
Tools to identify errors or duplication in the LIDAR data and automatically deleted all duplicated files.
Vegetation mapping Tools ·
Fire Mapping with Hyper spectral and LiDAR
·
Creation of a roadside tree database also identifying the height of the trees and vegetation classification
Hydrology Tools:
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Property High Points and Low Point identification gives them clearly identified overland flow direction on each property in the cadastre. This tool has helped to correct errors that engineers had in the data they were originally working with.
Sea Level Risk Models - High-risk locations for properties on the coast line allowing for sea level rises and storm surges. This was previously in error due to the poor data available to council too.
Creation of a Stream, open drainage and Water Body database for a more complete Hydrology map layer
Tin network-modelling – with 12D and 3D software – triangulation only
Flow path modelling tools
Catchment boundaries based on LiDAR DEM
3D visualization tools
Climate Change maps – 1m, 2m sea level rise and indentify population density and infrastructure
Habitat Mapping Tools ·
Multimedia tools to explain changes over time e.g. penguin animation to help the community to understand an issue e.g. understanding land use changes over time.
Some of the open source technologies now used by PINP: GIS: Arc GIS, Global Mapper, Arc Pad Open Source: ArcGIS Explorer, FUSION, Surfer, PointVue LE, LiDAR Analyst, Grass, Google SketchUp, Google Earth, Arc LASReader, MARS Explorer Pro, MARS Viewer, HEC-RAS Below are some free GIS data visualisation tools (http://pinpresearch.webs.com/opensource.htm) http://www earth.google.com http://www.qgis.org/ http://grass.fbk.eu/ http://www.kdnuggets.com/software/visualization.html http://trac.osgeo.org/gdal/wiki/SoftwareUsingGdal http://opensourcegis.org/ http://gislounge.com/gis-software-applications/ http://www.ppgis.net/opensource_gis.htm http://www.gisdevelopment.net/application/agriculture/overview/ma08_298.htm 123
http://www.tableausoftware.com/solutions/mapping http://pub.lmmp.nasa.gov http://freegeographytools.com/2007/a-few-more-free-toolsets-for-arcgis http://freegeographytools.com/2007/3d-perspective-views-with-3dem http://freegeographytools.com/2007/high-resolution-sea-level-rise-flooding-animations-in-google-earth http://freegeographytools.com/2007/dem-terrain-depiction-using-3dem http://freegeographytools.com/2007/free-arcgis-extensions-for-municipal-gis-applications http://freegeographytools.com/2009/free-tools-for-arcgis-server-and-a-request-for-ideas-for-more-free-tools http://freegeographytools.com/2011/hey-arcgis-explorer-desktop-has-turned-out-pretty-good http://freegeographytools.com/2007/lidar-data-coastal-erosion-and-flooding-analysis-using-microdem http://freegeographytools.com/2007/microdem-a-swiss-army-knife-of-terrain-and-gis-tools http://www.shadedrelief.com/ http://www.ian-ko.com/ET_GeoTools/gt_NoRestrictions.htm http://www.ian-ko.com/ET_GeoTools/UserGuide/ETFlipPolylines.htm http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=11314
What is the critical mass of GIS users in your case? The internet with web GIS under free-ware greatly extends deployment of spatial data to naïve users both from in-house and in the community that would respond to out-reach initiatives, and at very little extra cost. In the meantime, the agency GIS platform remains the authoritative source of spatial data. It would be a good idea to exemplify some of this with some data and information flow paths so that the new possibilities become easily identified, especially in terms of enhancing diffusion and adoption of GIS among a) naïve users b) new users knowing for more functionality without the need to undertaken a lot of new training.
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Chapter 8: Conclusions and Recommendations Introduction: Open source software provides many benefits to business compared to the corresponding commercial software products; these benefits include a very low cost of ownership, more frequent (on demand; but “do it - yourself”) updates to the software and its functionality, and the scope to extensively customize the software to meet the needs of business. Many organizations are supporting and promoting the use of open source software. They include academic bodies, software developers, such as the open source initiative OSI (http://www.opensource.org) and the open geospatial consortium (www.opengeospatial.org). PINP IT leaders are trying to increases the awareness of business and the public to benefits that can be obtained from deployment of open source software. They aim to promote it by engaging in activities such as conducting research and sponsoring open source GIS (Klopfer, 2005).
Even though open source software is capable of providing many benefits to PINP GIS users (Klopfer, 2005), many have kept their distance from it. Reasons for that include fear of security vulnerabilities, the thought that open source software comes with no technical support at all, reliability and stability issues, and many other reasons that have not been examined thoroughly before taking the decision of not implementing open source software.
The purpose of this research was to investigate how, the PINP employees can use open source GIS Google Earth. Important is the demonstrator of a PINP research website designed to be useful to the naïve GIS users. The failure to investigate the utility of open source can refer to
Lack of awareness of what “open source” is
PINP rangers wanting to integrate GIS for their decision making purpose but cannot find the necessary time to learn it.
Negative sentiment about open source products.
The possibility that open source web mapping provided functionality too far short of its 125
commercial rivals to be useful. The relative significance of these constraints was tested by survey to measure the PINP GIS user participants’ awareness about the open source concept for decision support, using the PINPresearch website. Here, visitors can find there are lots of free softwares, publications, data and environment tools and develop awareness and a sentiment that might be measurable (see Appendix 1). This research also focused on studying the criteria which users consider when selecting open source GIS web mapping tools. Finally, a comparison was conducted between a selected open source web-mapping tool (Google Earth) and the PINP research website for naïve users in GIS methodology. For the PINP decisions makers, the top 11 criteria were: 1. Support for a variety of web clients 2. Licensing price 3. Budget limitation for GIS 4. Easy of software installation for navies’ user 5. The availability of numerous code examples in the documentation 6. Google Earth use for free satellite image and different kind of data 7. Easily export and import shape to KML file. 8. Easily handle 3D data for visualization and application 9. Whether the performance remain high as the number of users increase 10. Everyone easily handle Google Earth without internet connection with his or her workplace 11. That the software has no high hardware requirements, not requiring the users to install additional plug-ins. Investigation: Comparative Analysis between Google Earth web GIS software and other open source tools in relation to commercial software.
This research investigation showed the features that different categories of survey participant considered important. This investigation considered the selection criteria mentioned in the previous investigation and compared the features present in the open source web mapping software (Google Earth) with those available in commercial web mapping software (ArcIMS, Geo media Web Map, and Map Extreme). The website for 126
each of the above-mention was used to come to the findings of this investigation. As indicated on the PINPresearch website (the comparison) the open source alternative (Google Earth) to commercial web GIS software is very competitive and in the user context almost equivalent to commercial web GIS software products. In fact, the open source mapping GIS software Google Earth is compliant with more OGC specifications than most of the commercial alternatives used in the comparison. Even for the PINP spatial analysis features, and data connectivity features, Google Earth Pro proved to be competitive. For example, Google Earth (unlike the other commercial products considered in the comparison) offered the GIS users the possibility to use proprietary data such as from shape files and Oracle as well as open source data such as from PostGIS. However, Google Earth may still challenge users when it comes to installation and setting up. The PINP research website links to many free tools and the updated version of Google Earth linkup. Therefore, anyone without GIS knowledge can easily handle the GIS data in the PINPresearch website. Conclusion: Give the results of the investigation of the gap between GIS adoption policy and practice, the research questions addressed in the study reported here can be formulated as follows : 1. Why, in the case-poor circumstances for IT, do many regional environmental agencies (eg the PINP) have a poor rate and degree of adoption of open source GIS tools for mainstream enterprise? 2. What are the concerns of developers and organizations regarding open source software and its potential? 3. Are there technical deficiencies in open source GIS tools that would preclude PINP management people from adaption? 4. Can PINP GIS users use open source and PINP research webs widely and easily?
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This author started the research with the PINP extant GIS data setup and documented how, lacking budget and knowledge of using GIS analysis for their decision purposes, PINP staff could adopt GIS. Given that open source web GIS software offers much the same as its commercial rivals, explanation must be sought for the gap between actual and potential adoption of webGIS, especially given the availability of digital spatial data. The following conclusions may be offered: 1. This research project has the ambitious goal of being a useful resource for the various audiences that makes up the management constituency of the Phillip Island Coastal Zone. The resulting web GIS is a depot for traditional and digital information, which can be used to inform decision-making relating to the PINP. It provides background information for different GIS systems, access to interactive mapping, online geospatial analysis tools, videos, open source GIS, Tools, Modelling, 3DVisualization and direct download access to various planning and natural resource data sets relating to PINP management. 2. Previously, decision makers are not fully aware of how open sources work; but the project outcomes include developed a positive image about the new PINPreseach website to which the decision support team has added open source environmental tools for natural resource management
3. The comparative performance between the Google Earth and other web mapping products proved that Google Earth was the equivalent in relevant features to the proprietary products. 4. Google Earth also provided developers with options to use more data sources while retaining accuracy. 5. Technically, Google Earth is more easily adopted than any other web based software These findings refer to decision support where there is technical deficiency that may discourage developers and users.
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Conclusions and Recommendations: It is envisaged that the project will yield data and information, which, upon analysis and discussion will enable the project outcomes to include contributions to debates about the following: 1. The role of spatial ICT in National Park management 2. Policy implementation in DSE at the regional and local level of agency responsibility 3. integrated coastal and water catchments management in Victoria with special reference to Phillip Island. Thus, importance of the naïve GIS users in bringing transparency to natural resources management will grow. The nature of the new scope for stakeholder consensus building offered by implementation of the new freeware web GIS is clear, as is the very tardy diffusion and adoption of information age data handling methods among third-tier public agencies. This problem was identified more than ten years ago (Tai, 1998). GIS has always allowed us to obtain better answers to our questions. If we have tools that allow us to perform, rigorous quantitative analyses, designed for spatial data, better decision support can be offered Wheeler (et al, 2011). Environmental Modelling (EM) is a platform designed to help to facilitate rigorous spatial analysis and modelling. This research website added Environmental-modelling tools in an open-ended way in which diffusion and adoption of GIS can take place. Those who may influence the use of open source GIS tools in any project, are, apparently, not fully aware of the open source business model and are not fully aware of the capabilities that open source software can provide. Therefore, the author would like to recommend that greater exposure to the open source concept and features be promoted. For example, this modelling-on-demand approach calls for upgrade of orientation seminars and exhibitions, as well as support for consensus-building meetings, all of which can be demonstrating the benefits of open source software to organizations.
8.1 Suggestions for future research Future research can refer to extending and enhancing the work done in this thesis. For example, a software project could be developed using Google Earth and one or more of the proprietary products and numerous comparisons could be performed to highlight the difference in development speed, complexity and 129
development patterns for both types of products. In addition, it would be interesting to study the response of commercial software companies to the advancement of its open source rivals.
8.2 Research Strength (see appendix 5 and 10): 1. The research may help provide a starting point for future research on the reasons that motivated the use of open source software in the implemented GIS project. 2. PINP people are now using the GIS data directory for their natural park management purposes and successfully running projects in these terms. 3. Research students and management people are now using the PINPresearch website for data analysis: the use of free tools is extensive. 4. The PINPresearch website can be maintained using the following feedback and maintenance schedule (http://www.pinpresearch.webs.com/) (figure 8.1).
Figure8.1: PINPresearch website comments (www.pinpresearch.webs.com)
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5.1 APPENDIX 1 Discussion
Question
Topic Roles and Responsibilities
What is your current usage of GIS (i.e. editor, general user)? Editor and general user. List any responsibilities in terms of data management, data ownership. Editor and general user. Responsible for all data acquisition and management, i.e. data providers, field mapping.
GIS Data
What datasets are of primary importance to you to support your PINP activities? VicMap products, Oil Spill Response Atlas, Commissioned mapping and associated reports i.e. Vegetation Community mapping, Rare Plant mapping. What datasets would be useful for PINP that you do not currently have access to? Accurate bathymetry, geomorphology, soils, assets. Do you have a need to create new spatial datasets or maintain existing datasets (i.e. water infrastructure assets)? What are they? I need to create datasets mainly related to the management of crown land, i.e. pest plants and animal management, park access and infrastructure, proposed developments, education and interpretation, research into native plant and animal/bird populations and movements, vegetations management i.e. ecological burns, risk assessments, asset management. Please provide any known issues relating to data such as datasets that may not be updated frequently enough. With limited resources, we find it a challenge to keep our in-house datasets up to date. Some datasets are not complete i.e. weed and shearwater mapping, assets, while others
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that where complete need to be re-done to remain current i.e. tracks, buildings.
GIS Applications
What GIS applications do you currently use? ESRI, single licence ArcView, ArcPad, ArcStudio, What type of extension you need future? ArcView Extensions: X Tool Pro, Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst. What features do you most frequently use? ArcView, ArcPad, ArcStudio, extensions: XTools Pro, What additional functionality would be useful in your day-to-day activities? An increased ability to analyse/compare and share datasets. Please discuss any issues you may have with current available application functionality. I have issues managing the amount of data/updating datasets and getting the rest of the organisation to use the data.
GIS Integration
Please list the database/corporate system interfaces you currently use. N/A Are there other databases or systems that could be interfaced that would assist you in your work. Not that I am aware of. Please list any current issues you may have with existing integration to other systems Not integrated with other systems.
Training
How often do you receive training? Is it internal or external delivered training? Once every few years or so. External training on an ‘as needed’ basis. Attend ESRI Technology Directions, SII New Tech. Does your GIS unit require additional training? If so what areas?
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Yes, Integration of the GIS to other parts of the organisation. Web based GIS. Working in the 3D environment, Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst.
Querying and
Please list reports that are generated with the assistance of GIS in your
Reporting
Environment unit. Penguin: burrow and artificial burrow number and location, impact of shearwater nesting on penguin distribution. Fire: firebreak location, ecological burn planning and results, wildfire incident reports. Pest plants: identifying the threat weeds pose to the parks natural values i.e. shearwater/kikuyu proximity and overlap, Tall-wheat Grass proximity to rare plants. Some of these reports are used for contractor tenders and briefs. Pest animals: proximity of fox dens to residential areas and food supply, sand pad location. Cat trapping effort. Shearwater: distribution across the island. Street lighting plan to reduce shearwaters landing on roadways. Summerland Landscape Plan Rhyll Transfer Station progress report. Suitable habitat for bandicoot and potoroo. Wetland Survey Rare or threatened plant Surveys i.e. Rhyll Inlet, Fishers Wetland, Newhaven Swamp, Ventnor Koala Reserve and Cape Woolamai. Vegetation Community mapping
Please list any reports that you would like to be able to generate but are currently not able to. 133
Current assets report management reports i.e. flora and fauna e.g. weed, revegetation, signage, access Please list queries that you use on a regular basis. Usually use the tools: select by attributes and select by location, overlay and proximity Please list any additional queries that you feel are important but do not have access to. Not sure Please list your printing requirements. The organisation has a number of colour printers to A3, this is usually fine or we get by for most needs. We outsource the few other larger jobs locally Support
Please describe current support mechanisms for GIS and how current processes could be improved. GIS software support is online via the software provider. General software and hardware support managed by a local company. Describe the dynamics of communication between management and the GIS Unit. Management are concerned with project planning generally in consultation with staff ether by email or meetings.
Corporate
Discuss any ideas you may have on the future direction of GIS and where your
Strategy
business area may gain advantage from (i.e. more usage of 3D modelling, mobile GIS, metadata implementation) I see the future of GIS as expanding to include other staff members so that they can contribute to gathering data, solve their own queries and produce maps and reports. They Vegetation management: Weed management and revegetation / rehabilitation of habitat and vegetation communities. Native fauna management i.e. fauna surveys, vegetation corridor design and management, better identification of suitable habitat for the possible reintroduction 134
of displaced fauna. Pest animal management. Increased spatial analysis of distribution and rationalisation of trapping effort Infrastructure planning and design. Research i.e. open new areas of spatial research on the parks flora and fauna e.g. penguins, seals, Management of cultural and historic assets i.e. better location analysis, management of access and threats. Education i.e. include GIS in some of the programs Coastal Ambassadors, TAFE, school talks Cost
Let me know your GIS budget every year Probably less than $5000 for software, software support and hardware and. There is no full time GIS officer (@0.5 of a position) and software/hardware is part of general budget codes.
Open source
Have you try open source Internet and desktop GIS before?
GIS
No
5.2 APPENDIX 2 Open Source GIS for PINP – meeting notes 13-04-11
Present: GIS working group – Roz Jessop, Jarvis Weston, Duncan Sutherland, Jon Fallaw
The meeting discussed the email from Nasrin 12-04-11 to determine the next steps towards an Open Source GIS for the park.
“Hi Jon, How are you? I called you office number. If it is possible, can you come one day then I will show you the benefit of my research for PINP. 135
I will also need a report on the status of our relationship with the PINP and its people. If possible, you can visit my website and write for me how you can benefit from Open source GIS. I am happy to give you one presentation. Let me know your opinion. Please send one report for my result analysis. If you manage time then call me I will brief you. Regards, Sultana Nasrin Baby – GIS Data Officer, Bass Coast Shire Council” Actions: 1. JF to enquire if Nasrin can present early May and is happy to provide advice regarding OSGIS 2. JF to attend an information session on asset and environmental management strategies using GIS 3. RJ to update budget as required 4. JF, DS to help Nasrin with report Discussion: Open Source questions for Nasrin to address in a presentation or report if possible: (in no particular order) Flexibility and future proofing: What scalability is there in the proposed OSGIS? How easily can the system start small and build up? We need to be able to grow in scale and complexity. How can it interact with other databases such as asset management programs or Riskman .Ideally, these systems would be able to be queried to feed information into the OSGIS. What are Bass Coast Shire Council and other organisations (e.g. DSE) doing? Capability: What are the capabilities of the system for the end user? Easy data input and output, ability to handle all spatial data for the park, map production, map templates, queries within and between databases? File Types: What sort of files can you use in the data directory, how is data stored? Data Integrity: How should we best input data to ensure data consistency and ensure stable links? System Requirements:
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What are the hardware and software requirements for the proposed system? PINP may have to upgrade specification of the server, network, workstations etc. Security: What flexibility is there for specifying security and levels of access, and how can we best prevent hacking? Training: What training can be provided to data custodians/managers, and then what training is needed for end users including relevant PINP staff (existing and new), and external users? Cost Estimates: What will this cost to establish and maintain? Estimates needed of salaries, hardware, software, etc. for budget GIS Project Manager: Who is the appropriate person to project manage the implementation of an OSGIS to the PINP? Nasrin or can she recommends someone who could. Roles and Responsibilities:
GIS Working Group:
RJ, JW, DS, JF (expanded as required)
Project Management:
Sultana Nasrin Baby
System upgrade:
Purple C
Implementation:
GIS officer (new), data custodians, section managers
Partners:
Penguin Foundation, Monash, BCSC, DSE
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5.3 APPENDIX 3 Goal 1 GIS Data Quality-PINP interview Accurate, consistent and complete core geographic database. Objective 1.Current digital spatial data 2.GIS data limited use lack of coherence 3.Lack of GIS knowledge and training 4.In-house communication 5.Budget Limitation 6.No GIS development plan 7.Improve GIS data delivery Solution 1.Build-up geo-database 2.Creat tools for easy data capture, cleaning, editing, and data management tasks 3.Habitat planning, Animal movement analysis free tools 4.GIS data Visualization applications could be used to great effect 5.Free and Open Source Internet GIS 6. PINP can contribute to gathering data, solve their own queries and produce maps and reports. 7.Prepare 2D and 3D models on demand for scenario modeling and decision support Goal 2 Ease of Access-PINP data Directory Easy and common access to geographic information Objective 1.Manage GIS data for multiple department
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2.Establish and wide access to geospatial data 3.Improve public access with GIS data 4. Implementation of web based applications that facilitate access to GIS. 5.ArcMap Integration with Google Earth 6.Importing GPS information 7.Data Security and Maintenance Solution A GIS data directory (all PINP spatial, Attribute, GPS, Field data, video, Image, CAD drawing, Research, Model, hardcopy etc.) Goal 3 GIS Management Action Plan. GIS Solutions for PINP Regional Environmental Management Objective 1.GIS Solutions for PINP REM 2.Open source internet GIS for REM 3.Role and benefits of GIS REM 4.GIS for Wildlife Conservation 5.GIS application for Habitats and their communities 6.GIS in support of the Management Action Plan 7.Wildlife rehabilitation 8.GIS application identify PINP sensitive Environment Areas Solution 1. Ensure accurate reporting with improved data collection. 2. Improve decision-making Management Action Plan 3. Increase productivity with streamlined work processes.
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4. Provide better data analysis and presentation options. 5. Model dynamic environmental phenomena. 6. Create predictive scenarios for environmental impact studies. 7. Automate regulatory compliance processes. 8. Disseminate maps and share map data across the Internet. Goal 3 GIS Management Action Plan. GIS Solutions for PINP Regional Environmental Management Objective 1.GIS Solutions for PINP REM 2.Open source internet GIS for REM 3.Role and benefits of GIS REM 4.GIS for Wildlife Conservation 5.GIS application for Habitats and their communities 6.GIS in support of the Management Action Plan 7.Wildlife rehabilitation 8.GIS application identify PINP sensitive Environment Areas Solution 1. Ensure accurate reporting with improved data collection. 2. Improve decision-making Management Action Plan 3. Increase productivity with streamlined work processes. 4. Provide better data analysis and presentation options. 5. Model dynamic environmental phenomena. 6. Create predictive scenarios for environmental impact studies. 7. Automate regulatory compliance processes.
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8. Disseminate maps and share map data across the Internet. Goal 4 GIS Training (PINPresearch web) GIS knowledge base Improved within the organization. Objective 1.With GIS Technology public access to online 2.Organize your information and knowledge 3.Make informed decisions 4. Increase efficiency. 5. Share your knowledge with others. 6.Without cost and travel learn GIS 7.Access to environment management tools and tutorial 8. Provide GIS training opportunities to staff to empower them to fully utilize GIS functionality. Solution 1. In place technical support of enterprise GIS resources. 2. In place GIS training program. 3. GIS User Group established and functional. 4. Online geospatial analysis tools, videos, open source GIS,Tools,Modelling,3DVisualization Goal 5 Applications of the new approach Google Earth base visualization 3D model Objective 1. 3D model approach will help to address Planning Resource and Management Issues 2. Develop an on-going GIS program to ensure efficient use of GIS resources.
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3. 3D model approach provided opportunities to communities to review, explore, and evaluated expert’s data representation.
4. The web-based, 3D interactive functionalities has potential to blend experts and local knowledge
5. Still this approach is too technical and complex for local communities Solution 1. 3DVIS approach will help to address PINP Planning, Resource and Management Issues 2. 3DVIS approach provided opportunities to communities to express their opinions in Park Management and Decision-Making (web-based). 3. 3DVIS approach provided opportunities to communities to review, explore, and evaluated expert’s data representation (bottom-up) 4. The web-based, 3D interactive functionalities have potential to blend experts and local knowledge. 5. Still this approach is too technical and complex for local communities. 6. www.Pinpresearch.webs.com create for easy understanding and gather knowledge
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5.4 APPENDIX 4
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5.5 APPENDIX 5
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5.6 APPENDIX 6
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5.7 APPENDIX 7
Phillip Island Nature Park: Data Catalogue February 2009 - Jon Fallaw Athur Rylah Institute: Vegetation Community Survey and Mapping June 2000. Data compliments report.
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Coordinated Imagery Project 2006. DSE, Melbourne Water, BCSC, PINP. To be regularly updated and PINP to input funds.
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5.8 APPENDIX 8
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5.9 APPENDIX 9 Exemplifications of digital surface models that can be generated on demand for decision support among Phillip Island National Park Stakeholders Showing Mean High Water Mark Phillip Island Perspective – Newhaven / Churchill Island Extracts from these models are presented in figure A9.1- -A9.8
Figure A9.1: Showing Mean High Water Mark Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure A9.2: Showing extents of existing Salt Marshes 1m above Mean High Water Mark Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure A9.3: Showing possible water egress 2m above Mean High Water Mark Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
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Phillip Island Perspective– Rhyll
Figure A9.4: Showing Mean High Water Mark Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure A9.5: Showing extents of existing Salt Marshes 1m above Mean High Water Mark Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure A9.6: Showing possible water egress 2m above Mean High Water Mark Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Phillip Island Perspective– Silverleaves Estate
Figure A9.7: Showing Mean High Water Mark Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
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Figure A9.8: Showing possible water egress 2m above Mean High Water Mark Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure A9.9: LiDAR data DEM showing possible water egress 1m above mean High Water Mark Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure A9.10: LiDAR data DEM showing possible water egress 2m above mean High Water Mark Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
Figure A9.11: 2D representation of the topographic DEM data Ventnor and Cowes area Archived at Bass Coast Shire Council GIS unit 2011
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5.10 PPENDIX 10
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