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Client: Wimmera Catchment Management Authority

The Wimmera Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is one of the key regional bodies in Victoria that undertakes strategic management of remnant vegetation. Under the umbrella of the Wimmera CMA catchment strategy, the CMA manages and funds a remnant vegetation management and enhancement (often revegetation) works program. Two critical aspects to this work are the capacity for catchment managers to classify (and prioritise) remnant vegetation within the CMA and to identify, in broad terms, the relative index of potential for revegetation activity.

Spatial Vision was commissioned to develop a GIS-based application that would enable Wimmera CMA staff to classify and prioritise remnant native vegetation and to identify the relative potential for revegetation activity.

Our solution uses a weighted index classification technique that was developed in a rule-based raster GIS environment. The application uses remnant size, conservation status, quality, distance from core elements, and landscape context to classify and prioritise each remnant within a user-defined study area. These parameters are then transformed into a weighted score using a set of reference tables that are fully editable.

To determine revegetation potential the application applies a “cost distance” paradigm where a relative “cost” surface is developed from key features such as major rivers, water bodies, wetlands and areas of high roadside conservation value. The resultant cost surface is then used in conjunction with identified core areas to generate a revegetation potential index over the study area.

The application’s architecture allows for easy exploration of management options. Each analysis run is fully configurable and can be archived as a unit comprising input/output data and parameter tables. The application was deployed to Wimmera CMA in the form of a Visual Basic Dynamic Link Library and the Wimmera CMA was provided with documentation and training.

Demonstrated Capabilities

• Ability to develop efficient and practical methodologies to meet requirements within the constraints of current information and tight project timelines.
• Extensive expertise in the development of environmental analytical processes using spatial information and spatial information technology.
• Ability to collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and expert groups to achieve a common goal.
• A high degree of expertise in the development of modular raster analytical procedures providing efficient information development and flexibility for client/expert scenario development.

Resources

Milos Pelikan developed the raster analysis methodologies employed in this project and managed the project interaction between Spatial Vision and the Client.

Ishara Kotiah developed the ArcGIS application using Visual Basic and deployed and documented the system for the Wimmera CMA.

Technologies Applied

• ArcGIS 8.3
• Spatial Analyst (ArcInfo GRID)
• Visual Basic