Module 6 Scenario 4, Suitability and Least-Cost Analysis

Here we are at the end of Application in GIS course. This module was a biggie; it is broken up into 4 different scenarios dealing with suitability and least-cost analysis. There were many learning outcomes from this module here are a few from the second half of the module being able to perform least-cost path and corridor analysis using cost surfaces, preparing elevation, land cover, and other data for use in least-cost path and corridor analysis, creating cost surfaces based on a variety of input data, interpreting the results of the least-cost path and corridor analysis. Adjusting specific parameters employed in least-cost path and corridor analysis.

In scenario 4 as a Park Ranger in the Coronado National Forest. I have been asked to model the potential movement of black bears between two protected areas, creating a corridor. In preforming this scenario we are provided with the following layers to work off of Coronado1.shp and Coronado2.shp – these are two existing areas of the Coronado National Forest, Elevation – elevation model for the study area, Landover – land cover raster for the study area; the categories are described in the landcover_codes.dbf file, and Roads – shapefile of roads in the study area.

I started this analysis with creating a Road Distance Raster using the Euclidean Distance Tool. Then using the Reclassify Tool I reclassified the Roads, Elevation, and Landcover raster layers using the distances and values that were provided. Then I used the Weighted Overlay Tool to combine all three rasters. I then used the Raster Calculator to create a cost surface raster layer. I then created a cost and backlink files for each national forest location using the Cost Distance Tool. After the files were created, I moved on using the Corridor Tool to create a corridor raster using the two cost distance surfaces that were created in the previous step. Finishing up with adjusting the symbology to best represent the output data of the bears movement. Below I have a map that shows the output of the corridor analysis.