Abstract
Assessment, planning and management for coral reef ecosystems are particularly challenging tasks, especially in developing countries. In this study, a methodological approach which integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multicriteria Evaluation (MCE) for the development of suitability assessment models for a variety of uses of coral reef resources is discussed. Such an approach is sustained by an extensive use of local expert knowledge coded in the form of automated decision trees (DTs). The usefulness of the approach and the models developed is demonstrated by their application to the participatory assessment and resources planning at “Alacranes Reef National Park” (ARNP), Yucatán, México. Overlaying of resulting suitability maps was also applied for identifying potential conflicting areas.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Ardisson, H. P., Duncan, J., Aguirre, L. and Canela, J.: 1996, ‘Programa de manejo del Parque Marino Nacional Arrecife Alacranes, Yucatán, México’, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mérida.
Basnet, B., Apan, A. and Raine, S.: ‘Selecting suitable sites for animal waste application using a raster GIS’, Environ. Manage. 28, 519–531.
Bello, J.: 1998, ‘Sistema de clasificación para los tipos de fondo del arrecife Alacranes compatible con una imagen Landsat TM’, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mérida.
Bello, J., Verónica, R., Liceaga, M., Zetina, C., Arceo, P., Cervera, K. and Hernández, H. N.: 2000, ‘Estimación de densidad y distribución de la langosta espinosa Panulirus argus en el arrecife Alacranes utilizando Sistemas de Información Geográfica’, Documento Técnico 8. CRIPY. Instituto Nacional de la Pesca, Yucatán, México.
Bello-Pineda, J., Liceaga-Correa, M. A., Hernández-Núñez, H. and Ponce-Hernández, R.: 2005, ‘Using aerial video to train the supervised classification of Landsat TM imagery for coral reef habitats mapping’, Environ. Monit. Assess. 105(1–3), 145–164.
Bergmann M., Hinz, H., Blyth, R. E., Kaiser, M. J., Rogers, S. I. and Armstrong, M.: 2004, ‘Using knowledge from fishers and fisheries scientists to identify possible groundfish Essential Fish Habitats’, Fish. Res. 66, 373–379.
Bonet, F.: 1967, ‘Biogeología subsuperficial del Arrecife Alacranes, Yucatán’, Instituto de Geología, UNAM, México.
Bydekerke, L., Van E., Vanmechelen, L., and Groenemans, R.: 1998, ‘Land suitability assessment for cherimoya in southern Ecuador using expert knowledge and GIS’, Agriculture Ecosyst. Environ. 69, 89–98.
Ceballos-Silva, A. and Lopez-Blanco, J.: 2003a, ‘Delineation of suitable areas for crops using a multi-Criteria Evaluation approach and land use/cover mapping: A case study in Central Mexico’, Agricultural Syst. 77, 117–136.
Ceballos-Silva, A. and López-Blanco, J.: 2003b, ‘Evaluating biophysical variables to identify suitable areas for Oat in Central Mexico: A Multicriteria and GIS approach’, Agriculture, Ecosyst. Environ. 95, 371–377.
Crosby, M. P., Brighouse, G. and Pichon, M.: 2002. ‘Priorities and strategies for addressing natural and anthropogenic threats to coral reefs in Pacific Island Nations’, Ocean Coastal Manage. 45, 121–137.
De la Cruz, G., Martínez, E. and Muñoz, R.: 1993, ‘Propuesta de zonificación del Arrecife Alacranes, Yucatán’, CINVESTAV, Mérida.
Desiderius, C. and Masalu, P.: 2000, ‘Coastal and marine resource use conflicts and sustainable development in Tanzania’, Ocean Coastal Manage. 43, 475–494.
Digby, P. and Kempton, R.: 1987, Multivariate Analysis of Communities, Chapman and Hall, London/New York.
Done, T.: 1981, ‘Rapid, Large Area, Reef Resource Surveys Using a Manta Board’, Proceedings of the 4th International Coral Reef Symposium, pp. 299–308.
Fabbri, K. 1998: ‘A methodology to supporting decision making in integrated coastal zone management’, Ocean Coastal Manage. 39, 51–62.
Fernandes, L., Ridgley, M. A. and van't Hof, T.: 1999, ‘Multiple criteria analysis integrates economic, ecological and social objectives for coral reef managers’, Coral Reefs 18, 393–402.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: 1976, A framework for land evaluation. Soils Bulletin 32, FAO, Rome, Italy.
González, G. C.: 2001, ‘Las comunidades de peces del Arrecife Alacranes, Yucatán, México: Variaciones espacio-temporales’, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mérida.
Green, E. P., Mumby, P. J, Edwards, A. J. and Clark, C. D.: 2000, ‘Remote Sensing Handbook for Tropical Coastal Management’, in Coastal Management Sourcebooks 3, UNESCO, Paris.
Human, P.: 1994, Reef Coral Identification, New World Publications, INC, Florida.
Kenchington, R.: 1978, ‘Visual Surveys of Large Areas of Coral Reefs’, in D. Stoddart and R. Johannes (eds.), Coral Reefs Research Methods, UNESCO, Paris, pp. 149–161.
Kliskey, A. D.: 2000, ‘Recreation terrain suitability mapping: A spatially explicit methodology for determining recreation potential for resource use assessment’, Landscape Urban Planning 52, 33–43.
Legendre, L. and Legendre, P.: 1983, Numerical Ecology, Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., New York.
Liceaga-Correa, M. A. and Euan-Avila, J. I.: 2002, ‘Assessment of coral reef bathymetric mapping using visible Landsat Thematic Mapper data’, Inter. J. Remote Sens. 23, 3–14.
Liceaga-Correa, M. A. and Hernández-Núñez, H.: 2000, ‘Localización y dimensiones del Arrecife Alacranes’, Jaina 11, 8–10.
Membrillo, N.: 2000, ‘Descripción de los paisajes arrecifales en la laguna del Arrecife Alacranes, Yucatán, México’. CINVESTAV. Merida.
Merrill, T., Mattsonb, D., Wright, R. and Quigley, H.: 1999, ‘Defining landscapes suitable for restoration of grizzly bears Ursus arctos in Idaho’, Biological Conserv. 87, 231–248.
Mumby, P., Green, E., Edwards, A. J. and Clark, C. D.: 1997, ‘Coral reef habitat-mapping: How much detail can remote sensing provide?’, Marine Biol. 130, 193–202.
Myers, G.: 1998, ‘Displaying opinions: Topics and disagreement in focus groups’, Language Soc. 27, 85–111.
Ponce, R.: 1998, ‘Zonificacion ecologica-economica: Una propuesta metodologica para la Amazonia’, Caracas: Secretaria Pro temporare, FAO.
Ríos, L. G. V., Zetina, M. C, Cervera, C. K, Mena, R. and Chable, F.: 1998, ‘La pesquería de langosta espinosa Panulirus argus en la costa de Yucatán’, Contribuciones de Investigación Pesquera. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Pesqueras Yucalpetén. INP. SEMARNAP. Documento Técnico 6, pp. 1–36.
Rossiter, D.: 1990, ‘ALES: A framework for land evaluation using a microcomputer’, Soil Use Manage. 6, 7–20.
Rossiter, D. and van Wambeke, A.: 1994, ALES: Automated Land Evaluation System. Version 4.1. Department of Soil, Crop, & Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca.
Store, R. and Kangas, J., 2001. ‘Integrating spatial multicriteria evaluation and expert knowledge for GIS-based habitat suitability modeling’, Landscape Urban Planning 55, 79–93.
Tuz, S. A. N.: 2001, ‘Distribución y abundancia de los serránidos (Epinephelinae: Ephinephelini) en el Arrecife Alacranes y su relación con el ambiente arrecifal’, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mérida, México.
Villa, F., Tunesi, L. and Agardy, T.: 2002, ‘Zoning marine protected areas trough spatial multiple-criteria analysis: The case of Asinara Island Marine Reserve of Italy’, Conserv. Biology 16, 515–526.
Wandahwa, E. van Ranst, 1996, ‘Qualitative land suitability assessment for pyrethrum cultivation in west Kenya based upon computer-captured expert knowledge and GIS’, Agriculture, Ecosyst. Environ. 56, 187–202.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bello-Pineda, J., Ponce-Hernández, R. & Liceaga-Correa, M.A. Incorporating GIS and MCE for Suitability Assessment Modelling of Coral Reef Resources. Environ Monit Assess 114, 225–256 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-4628-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-4628-y