Mod6: Suitability

 This lab focused on suitability and least-cost analysis to identify the best potential corridors for connecting two protected areas. The workflow combined both vector- and raster-based approaches to evaluate multiple environmental and spatial criteria. The process began by creating individual layers that represented each condition, such as forest cover, slope suitability, proximity to streams, and distance from major highways. These were chosen to reflect ecological needs, like providing continuous natural habitat, and to avoid negative impacts such as fragmentation from roads.



In the vector portion, each criterion was processed into a polygon dataset, and the Union tool was used to merge them into a single layer containing all attributes from the different analyses. A query was then run to select only those polygons that satisfied all criteria simultaneously, producing a refined dataset of suitable habitat corridors. This required careful examination of the attribute table to interpret FID values and correctly filter the data.

The raster portion involved converting similar criteria into raster grids, applying Boolean logic in the Raster Calculator to combine them, and running least-cost path and corridor analysis to determine the most efficient routes between the protected areas. These steps integrated distance, slope, and land cover into a single cost surface, allowing the software to identify routes that minimized both ecological and physical "costs." Finally, the lab concluded with calculating the percentage of the study area meeting the criteria and reflecting on additional factors that could influence corridor design.

While there were parts of this lab that were very interesting it was probably this most difficult lab yet. Primarily due to the amount work that needed to be completed. I found myself in a major rush and was not able to take the time I needed to complete the correctly. Overall, I enjoyed aspects of this class but will also be happy to not have to deal with certain tasks again.


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