WETLAND SUITABILITY MAPPING USING GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM: A CASE OF WESTERN UUSIMMA FINLAND
Emmanuel, Daniel (2023)
2023
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023121737980
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023121737980
Tiivistelmä
Abstract
This study aimed to conduct wetland suitability mapping in the Western Uusimaa region of Finland to address water quality issues in proximity to the Baltic Sea. The specific objectives included an overview of historical wetland distribution, identification of priority areas for wetland formation or restoration, and the development of a comprehensive wetland suitability mapping framework.
The study area, Western Uusimaa, is characterized by coastal areas, archipelagos, and proximity to the Baltic Sea, with significant agricultural and forested areas which have impacted water quality. The methodology for this research employed Scalgo Live and ArcGIS Pro for potential wetland suitability mapping, integrating key criteria such as soil type, depression or slopes, catchment considerations, stream flow and runoff risk, and restoration feasibility.
Data gathering involved retrieving information from various sources, including living atlas in ArcGIS, the National Land Survey of Finland, Finnish Environmental Institute Syke and Scalgo Live. The criteria used for geo-spatial analysis included Flow accumulation slope and depression data, catchment areas, risk runoff, with soil type being considered, although limited data was available.
Selected results showed that there were fifteen (15) catchment areas with a considerable amount of downstream runoff risk for potential wetland restoration and development in accordance with the key suitability criteria involving the presence of streams, runoff risk proportions, gentle slopes, and appropriate depression volumes. Notably, an old wetland in Smedsedevägen, western Uusimaa was identified as a suitable area for restoration based on historic land use change, depression volume, catchment area, and run-off risk analysis.
The use of geospatial analysis in this study helped to create a comprehensive and robust mapping framework which could guide the process of identifying suitable wetland’s location in enhancing water quality and protecting the landscapes and ecosystems of the Western Uusimaa region.
Key Words: Wetland Mapping, Water Quality, Geographical Information System, Western Uusimmaa.
This study aimed to conduct wetland suitability mapping in the Western Uusimaa region of Finland to address water quality issues in proximity to the Baltic Sea. The specific objectives included an overview of historical wetland distribution, identification of priority areas for wetland formation or restoration, and the development of a comprehensive wetland suitability mapping framework.
The study area, Western Uusimaa, is characterized by coastal areas, archipelagos, and proximity to the Baltic Sea, with significant agricultural and forested areas which have impacted water quality. The methodology for this research employed Scalgo Live and ArcGIS Pro for potential wetland suitability mapping, integrating key criteria such as soil type, depression or slopes, catchment considerations, stream flow and runoff risk, and restoration feasibility.
Data gathering involved retrieving information from various sources, including living atlas in ArcGIS, the National Land Survey of Finland, Finnish Environmental Institute Syke and Scalgo Live. The criteria used for geo-spatial analysis included Flow accumulation slope and depression data, catchment areas, risk runoff, with soil type being considered, although limited data was available.
Selected results showed that there were fifteen (15) catchment areas with a considerable amount of downstream runoff risk for potential wetland restoration and development in accordance with the key suitability criteria involving the presence of streams, runoff risk proportions, gentle slopes, and appropriate depression volumes. Notably, an old wetland in Smedsedevägen, western Uusimaa was identified as a suitable area for restoration based on historic land use change, depression volume, catchment area, and run-off risk analysis.
The use of geospatial analysis in this study helped to create a comprehensive and robust mapping framework which could guide the process of identifying suitable wetland’s location in enhancing water quality and protecting the landscapes and ecosystems of the Western Uusimaa region.
Key Words: Wetland Mapping, Water Quality, Geographical Information System, Western Uusimmaa.