Date: February 21, 2014.

GISC9308-D2

Ian D. Smith B.Sc., R.P.Bio.
Professional Biologist,
Save The Fictitious Ferns (SiFF) (NGO)
235 Veggie Way,
Fonthill, Ontario,
L0S 1R0.

Dear Mr Smith,

RE: Submission of GISC9308-D2 Multi Criteria Analysis

Please accept this letter as my formal submission of Assignment GISC9308-D2.
This assignment contains a formal written MS-Word Technical Memorandum on Multicriteria Analysis on
Finlays Fabulous Fern, Osmunda Finlayensis (Botany, 2011).
This assignment has taught me technique in spatial analysis, how to derive new data from existing data sets
and effectively carryout a multi criteria analysis in ArcGIS using two sets of criteria selections to determine the
most suitable location(s) for the reintroduction of a fern plant. The result of this analysis shows that, the fern is
most suitable for planting in the escarpment area. it is therefore recommended to reintroduce the fern in the
escarpment area.
Should you have any question or technical issues with respect to my deliverable please contact me on my
phone: (289) 990 6367 or by email engr_josla@yahoo.com.
I look forward to your favorable comment.
Best Regards


Olawale J. Babalola, B.Sc. GIS (PG)
Geospatial Analyst

O.B/

Enclosure: 1) Technical Memorandum on Site Suitability Criteria for Finlays Fabulous Fern (Osmunda
Finlayensis) with a Model


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Technical Memorandum
Project: Multi Criteria Analysis
Client: Mr. Ian D. Smith, B.Sc., R.P.Bio
Prepared By: O.J Babalola, B.Sc., Geology,
PG(GIS) Geospatial Analyst
Subject: Site Suitability For Finlays Fabulous Fern, Osmunda Finlayensis
Date: 21 February, 2014 G-Inc Project #08-D2

1.0 Introduction
In recent times, the rate of change in ecosystem has been a serious challenge affecting humans, animals,
plants and other living organisms. These changes have been one of the major factors limiting the
survival of living organism in their natural habitats with some going into extinction totally. However
experts have devised a multi-criteria analysis technique for selection that will best help in solving this
evolving problem. This multi-criteria selection is mostly carried out based on evaluating assessment
between heterogeneous measures. Evaluations can be quantitative as well as qualitative and judgment
can be based on unique findings and criteria set or defined by recognized and accepted rules prior to
undertaking the analysis (EU).
This analysis is aimed at providing a set multi-criteria technique in determining the area that best sooths
the growth of fern, as this fern was in abundance but no longer found around the campus area.
However, as the Niagara College campus area is been considered ecologically stable, the college
horticultural group in collaboration with environmental restoration group is planning to re-introduce the
specie into a natural habitat. But this will require the help of experts in determining the area that will be
most suitable for the re-introduction of the fern (Ian D. Smith M.Sc., 2014, p. (ToR)).
1.1 STUDY AREA
The major area of study is the Niagara college Glendale campus area. It is located at Glendale Avenue
and the Queen Elizabeth Way, the major transportation corridor between Toronto and the US. The
campus is enveloped in an ecological band of wetlands, vineyards and community gardens which serve
as a thriving environment for horticulture practice. It is nestled up against the Niagara Escarpment,
which has been designated by the United Nations as a World Biosphere reserve ((NOTL)). Figure 1 below
further shows map of the study area.


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Figure 1 (Glendale Campus Base Map Source Niagara College)
2.0 Methodology
In carrying out this analysis, two phases were applied to ensure an effective comparison and evaluation
in determining the most suitable selection of site for the fern specie. The first method or phase was


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carried using Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) suitability analysis in GIS environment. While in the second
phase, Fuzzy logic suitability analysis was used.

2.1 Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) Selection
This analysis involves deriving new data sets from existing sets of data provided prior to the analysis. The
new raster data sets derived were reclassified with the spatial analysis tool to generate the following
parameters based on the set given variables. These parameters include the Hillshade, Aspect and Slope.
As the soil type was provided too and later converted to a raster to easily differentiate the types and
their locations on the in the image. The areas that is most suitable for the fern was however derived by
imputing set of criteria that best define the above enumerated parameters.
In carrying this analysis, the shape files were imported into the ArcGIS environment and used to create
a Tin using the spatial analyst tool. The Z-factor was changed to elevation to convert the elevation units
to the horizontal coordinate units of the datasets and to add vertical exaggeration for visual effect (esri,
ArcGIS Help 10.1). The Tin Raster image was created from the Tin as shown in Figure 2 below. The aim of
creating this raster image is to determine the criteria based on the specified variables that will be used
to reclassify the parameters; hillshade, slope, and aspect of the model.




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Figure 2 (Output of Tin Image created and the Raster derived from it)
The hillshade, aspect and slope were further created from the Tin Raster as shown in Figure 3 below.
The parameters were later reclassified with cell size 4m by 4m and based on the set variable criteria
assigned to each parameter. Table 1 below further shows the criteria values and ranges applied in the
suitability analysis.


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2.1.1 Hillshade
A hillshade is a grayscale 3D representation of the surface, with the sun's relative position taken into
account for shading the image. This function uses the altitude and azimuth properties to specify the
sun's position (esri, ArcGIS Help 10.1) and also represents the surface, with the sun's relative position
taken into account for shading the image. This function uses the altitude and azimuth properties to
specify the sun's position. The Azimuth for this analysis was set to 180 and the altitude was also set to
65.98. Figure 3 below further shows the result of the hillshade created from the Tin Raster.
Table 1: Shows Hillshade Parameters
Class Class Range Value
1 195 to 235 No Data
2 235 to 255 2
3 235 to 255 NoData

2.1.2 Slope
Slope represents the rate of change of elevation for each digital elevation model (DEM) cell. Its the first
derivative of a DEM and by default it appears as a grey scale image too.
Table 2: Shows Slope Parameters
class Class Range Value
1 0 to 20 No Data
2 20 to 65 2
3 65 to 90 NoData

2.1.3 Aspect
Aspect identifies the downslope direction of the maximum rate of change in value from each cell to its
neighbors. Aspect can be thought of as the slope direction. The values of the output raster will be the
compass direction of the aspect (esri, ArcGIS Help 10.1). By default it appears as a grey scale image and
the colour can be changed for proper class identification.
Table 3: Shows Aspect Parameters
Class Class Range Value
1 0 to 247 No Data


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2 247 to 360 2




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Figure 3 (Result of Rasters Created from Tin Raster Image)



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These parameters were further reclassified. This is essentially creating a suitability scale for each
criterion to determine the right aspect, slope and hillshade that will best be suitable for the fern growth.
Figure 4 below shows the results of the reclassified parameters. The soil was also reclassified based on
the value assigned to the criteria to determine the different soil type, which will best sooth the
reintroduction of the fern.

Figure 4 (Result of the Reclassified Parameters)




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2.2 Weighted Overlay
The weighted overlay Overlays several rasters using a common measurement scale and weights each
according to its importance (esri, ArcGIS Help 10.1). The reclassified raster datasets from the hillshade,
aspect slope and soil was further combined together using the weighted overlay spatial analysis tool.
The criterion used for slope -47%, hillshade-15, soil-15 and aspect-23 with aim of finally determining the
area that best suit the growth of the fern. The result of criteria analysis shows that the fern will be best
suitable in the escarpment area as shown in Figure 5 below.


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Figure 5 Weighted Overlay
2.3 Fuzzy Logic Suitability Analysis
Fuzzy logic provides techniques to address both types of inaccuracies, but fuzzy logic, as it pertains to
overlay analysis, focuses on inaccuracies in attribute data. The two main areas where inaccuracies arise
in attribute data occur in the definition of the classes and in the measurement of the phenomenon (esri,


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ArcGIS Help 10.1). It also reclassified or transforms the data within layers. In this fuzzy different
membership was assigned to each parameter as follows; Hillshade and slope was assigned the Gaussian
membership, aspect near membership and linear membership was chosen for soil based on the values
used for suitability.
Figure 6 Fuzzy Analysis



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3.0 Conclusion
Fuzzy Overlay and Weighted Overlay are more similar to each other than either is to Binary Overlay;
however, the two are built on different foundations. Fuzzy Overlay is based on set theory, while
Weighted Overlay is based on linear combinations. Both techniques transform the original values (esri,
ArcGIS Help 10.1). In Fuzzy Overlay, the transformation defines the possibility of membership to sets,
while Weighted Overlay is on a relative preference scale. Since these two techniques are unique, the
tools for performing analysis between multiple criteria are not interchangeable.
3.1 Recommendation
It is therefore recommended that, based on the suitability analysis carried out, the result best show that
the fern will best grow on the escarpment area considering the criteria associated with area. Figure 7
below further shows true image of the escarpment area with some fern plants thriving in abundance.



Figure 7 Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve (Source: Google.ca)
Niagara escarpment is a long escarpment which runs predominantly east/west of states in both the
United States and Canada. It forms a cliff over which Niagara River plunges at Niagara Falls. (Wikipedia)
It is also named by United Nation as World Biosphere Reserve.




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Works Cited
(NOTL), N. C. (n.d.). Niagara-On-the-Lake Campus Home Page. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from
Niagara College:
http://www.niagaracollege.ca/content/Contact/VisitUs/NiagaraontheLakeCampus.aspx
Canada), G. B. (2006). Geostatistics Without Tears Edition 2006.03. Regina Saskatchewan: Environment
Canada.
EASTMAN, J. R. (n.d.). Multi-criteria evaluation and GIS. Retrieved February 20, 2014, from
http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/~gisteac/gis_book_abridged/files/ch35.pdf
esri. (2010). New Fuzzy logic tools in ArcGIS 10. Retrieved February 20, 2014, from www.esri.com
esri. (n.d.). ArcGIS Help 10.1. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from ArcGIS Resources:
http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#//009t0000004z000000
esri. (n.d.). ArcGIS Resource Centre. Retrieved February 19, 2014, from ArcGIS Desktop 10 (Weighted
Overlay Analysis):
http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#//009z000000rq000000.htm
EU. (n.d.). Multi-criteria analysis. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/evaluation/methodology/examples/too_cri_res_en.pdf
Gler YALIN, M., & Dr. Zuhal AKYREK, A. P. (n.d.). MULTIPLE CRITERIA ANALYSIS FOR FLOOD
VULNERABLE AREAS. Ankara, Turkey: General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre, Ankara.
Ian D. Smith M.Sc., O. O. (2014, February). Term of Reference GISC9308-D2. Niagara On the lake,
Ontario, Canada: Niagara College.
Ian D.Smith, M. O. (2014, February). Lecture five Power Point Slide. Multicriteria Evaluation. Niagara On
the Lake, Ontario, Canada: Niagara College.
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Niagara Escarpment. Retrieved February 20, 2014, from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Escarpment





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Appendix