Shannon Graup

47 Notley Place Toronto Ontario M4B 2M7 647-921-4930 shannon.graup@gmail.com

February 20th, 2014 GISC9308 D2 Ian Smith, B.Sc., R.P.Bio Registered Professional Field Biologist Save the Fictitious Fern 235 Veggie Way Fonthill, ON L0S 1R0

Dear Mr. Smith, Re: GISC9308-D2 Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern Please accept this letter as my formal submission of deliverable 2, Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern for GISC9308 Spatial Analysis. During this project a multi-criteria evaluation and fuzzy overlay analysis was completed to determine appropriate reintroduction locations of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern onto the Niagara College Glendale Campus. After completing analysis it was found that there are ample land plots available with appropriate criteria to replant 110 specimens of Finlays Fern using either the multi criteria evaluation or the fuzzy overlay analysis. These land plots are 16m2 in size, and are mainly located on the escarpment which is located directly south east of the college campus. If you have any questions regarding the project please feel free to contact me by phone (647921-4930) or e-mail at your convenience. I look forward to receiving your feedback and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Shannon Graup BAH GIS GM Candidate S.G Enclosures 1) Technical Memorandum: Finlays Fern Reintroduction, Multi-Criteria Evaluation and Fuzzy Overlay Analysis for the Reintroduction of Osmunda Finlayensis Fern on Niagara College Glendale Campus.

Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

Project: Client:

Introduction to ArcGIS Spatial Analyst Ian Smith, B.Sc., R.P.Bio

Prepared By: Shannon Graup BAH, GISGM Candidate

Subject: Date:

Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus February 20th, 2014 GISC9308 D2

1.0 Introduction
Niagara College Glendale Campus is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. Horticultural students at the college are constantly sampling and keeping track of plant species in the area. One particular species known locally as Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern which was once abundant on the Glendale Campus has been pushed out of the area over time. Horticultural students have collected samples of Finlays Fern before its extirpation from the campus. A multi criteria evaluation suitability analysis and a fuzzy overlay analysis will be completed, both guided by the project terms of reference (Smith, 2014). Using these outputs, the best locations for the reintroduction of 110 specimens of Finlays Fern on the Niagara College Glendale campus are located.

2.0 Study Area

The study area for this multi criteria evaluation is the Niagara College Glendale Campus located at 135 Taylor Rd in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Niagara College Glendale campus will be the location of Finlays Fern reintroduction. The study area consists of buildings and roads, an escarpment area, and agricultural lands. Figure 1 identifies the project study area of the Niagara Escarpment located directly southeast of the Glendale Campus.

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

Figure 1: Niagara College Glendale Campus and surrounding Escarpment Area

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

3.0 Weighted Multi Criteria Evaluation

The factors determining a suitable location for regrowth of the Finlay Fabulous Fictitious Fern are the slope of the land, direction the slope faces (referred to as aspect), the soil type, and the hillshade. To ensure that each criterion is weighted equally, a ranking system was developed to reclassify the values on an equal scale. Criteria were reclassified with values of 0 to 2. Values of 0 meant Finlays Fern will have no growth under the conditions, and a value of 2 meant Finlays Fern will thrive under these conditions.

3.1 Criterion Reclassification

Finlays Fern is only found growing on very significant slopes. Slope occurrences of 20 to 65 are where the Osmunda Finlayensis best thrive. The growth occurrences of the Osmunda Finlayensis on different slope occurrences are shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Slope Reclassification Values, MCE

Slope
0 to 20 - no growth, 20 to 65 - sparse growth to full growth 65 to 90 - no growth.

Rank 0 1 0

The aspect of the slope or the direction the slope faces is another important criterion in the reintroduction of the fern. Finlays Fern will have heavy growth on slopes facing 247 to 360, south-west, west, north-west and north facing slopes. Table 2 lists the different aspect growth occurrences of the Osmunda Finlayensis.
Table 2: Aspect Reclassification Values, MCE

Aspect
0 to 247 no growth, 247 to 360 heavy growth,

Rank 0 2

Finlays Fern grows in areas with poor soils because of its aerial root system. This helps it to avoid competition with other plant species. Escarpment soils are best suited for Finlays Fern. Table 3 lists the growth occurrences of Finlays Fern on different soil types.
Table 3: Soil Reclassification Values, MCE

Soil
Escarpment soils are best suited, Toledo and Cashel soils are reasonably well suited, Beverley, Peel, Haldimand and Lincoln clays are not at all suited Areas not mapped are urbanized and thus not suitable.

Rank 2 1 0 0

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

Dr. Botany Bob, who first discovered the Osmunda Finlayensis, describes the plant as shy and retiring. The plant needs azimuth and altitude hillshade values of June 21, the day of the year the sun is the highest on the horizon. The azimuth value is 180, and the altitude is 65.98.
Table 4: Hillshade Reclassification Values, MCE

Hillshade
0 to 195 will not grow, 195 to 235 will thrive, 235 to 255 will not grow.

Rank 0 2 0

3.2 Pairwise Comparison

The objective in completing a pairwise comparison is to help determine weighting of each criterion in an evaluation. In a pairwise comparison criteria selection method criterion is awarded 1 point for a win, 0.5 points for a tie (given to both criterion of the pair), and 0 points for a loss. The scores are recorded in a pairwise comparison matrix. Table 5 shows the pairwise comparison matrix with scoring between pairs for each of the four criteria.
Table 5: Pairwise Comparison Matrix for Fern Reintroduction MCE

Slope Slope Aspect Soil Hillshade

Aspect 1

Soil 1 1

Hillshade 1 1 0.5

Once the pairwise comparison matrix is completed scores must be given to each of the criterion, and then weights must be calculated. The weights that are calculated represent the coefficient that is used when calculating the suitability in a multi-criteria evaluation. Table 6 lists each criteria score, and their respective relative weights or coefficients.
Table 6: Scores and Weights from Pairwise Comparison Matrix

Scores Slope Aspect Soil Hillshade Sum 3 2 0.5 0.5 6

Weights 0.5 0.333333333 0.083333333 0.083333333 1

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

3.3 Weighted Overlay Suitability Analysis

Once each of the four criteria were reclassified using the values listed in Tables 1 through 4 the weighted overlay suitability analysis was completed using the weights calculated in the pairwise comparison matrix (refer to Table 6). Finlays Fern grows best on land plots sized 4m by 4m. The raster calculator in ArcGIS 10.1 was used to identify the most suitable locations for the reintroduction of Finlays Fern onto the Niagara College Glendale Campus. The higher the weight for each criterion, the more important this factor is in determining a suitable fern reintroduction location. The formula used to calculate suitable fern reintroduction locations can be seen in Equation 1.
Equation 1: Multi-Criteria Evaluation

Multi-Criteria Evaluation = ((slopereclass) * (0.5)) + ((aspectreclass) * (0.333333333)) + ((hillreclass) * (0.083333333)) + ((soilreclass) * (0.083333333))

There are 28 appropriately sized land plots that have a suitability score of 1.5, and 230 land plots that have a suitability score of approximately 1.41. These are the highest scoring suitable 16m2 land plots located in the study area that are appropriate for reintroduction of the fern. For successful reintroduction of Finlays Fern, it is suggested that only one plant specimen be planted in each 16m2 plot. Figure 2 identifies the suitable locations to plant Finlays Fern.

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

Figure 2: Suitable Land Plots for Reintroduction of the Finlay Fern using Multi-Criteria Evaluation

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

As there are only 110 plants available to be planted 48 of the available land plots will not be used at this time.

4.0 Fuzzy Overlay Analysis

In a fuzzy overlay analysis each criterion must be transformed to fuzzy membership to indicate the strength of a membership in a set (ESRI, 2013). The fuzzy membership transforms the input criterion to a scale of 0 to 1. A value of 1 indicates full membership in the set, with membership decreasing towards a value of 0 (ESRI, 2013). The different types of membership used for this analysis are Gaussian, near and linear. For this overlay analysis the set consists of four criteria; slope of the land, the slope direction (referred to as aspect), soil type, and hillshade. The criteria must be reclassified to a new range of values so they can be comparable before putting the criteria into the fuzzy membership. Criteria were reclassified with values ranging from NoData to 3. Reclassifying some land plots as NoData identifies that these plots are absolutely unable to house Finlays Fern.

4.1 Reclassification and Fuzzy Membership

The slope was reclassified according to the values shown in Table 7. Once the criterion was reclassified, the fuzzy membership was completed using a Gaussian membership, which assumes that the data is normally distributed.
Table 7: Slope Reclassification Values, Fuzzy Overlay

Slope
0 to 20 - no growth, 20 to 35 - sparse growth, 35 to 45 - moderate growth, 45 to 55 - heavy growth, 55 to 65 - sparse growth, 65 to 90 - no growth.

Rank NoData 1 2 3 1 NoData

Table 8 lists the reclassification values for the aspect criterion. Once aspect was reclassified a fuzzy membership was completed using the near membership type. This function is similar to Gaussian fuzzy membership type but has a more narrow spread (ESRI, 2013).
Table 8: Aspect Reclassification Values, Fuzzy Overlay

Aspect
0 to 247 no growth 247 to 292.5 very sparse growth, 292.5 to 337.5 heavy growth, 337.5 to 360 very sparse growth.

Rank NoData 1 3 1

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

Soil reclassification values for the fuzzy overlay can be seen in Table 9. Once the soil criterion was reclassified it was put into a fuzzy membership using the linear function. This function defines fuzzy membership based on a linear transformation (ESRI, 2013). The minimum of 0 tells the membership that anything below 0 will have a value of 0 membership. The maximum of 2 tells the membership that anything of 2 or above will be given a value of 1 for membership.
Table 9: Soil Reclassification Values, Fuzzy Overlay

Soil
Escarpment soils are best suited, Toledo and Cashel soils are reasonably well suited, Beverley and Peel soils are very poorly suited, Haldimand and Lincoln clays are not at all suited, Areas not mapped are urbanized and thus not suitable.

Rank 3 2 1 NoData NoData

Table 10 lists the hillshade criterion reclassification values. This criterion was put into fuzzy membership using the Gaussian type, which assumes the data is normally distributed.
Table 10: Hillshade Reclassification Values, Fuzzy Overlay

Hillshade
0 to 180 will not grow, 180 to 195 will grow but wont thrive, 195 to 220 will thrive, 220 to 235 will grow but will not thrive, 235 to 255 will not grow.

Rank NoData 1 3 1 NoData

4.2 Fuzzy Overlay Suitability Analysis

After the four criteria were reclassified and put into a fuzzy membership type a fuzzy overlay analysis was completed. The Fuzzy Sum overlay type was used, which should be used when the combination of multiple sets is more important than any input set alone (ESRI, 2013). There are 275 land plots that have a fuzzy overlay analysis score of 1, these land plots are symbolized in light brown. Suitable locations for planting of Finlays Fern can be seen in Figure 3.

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

Figure 3: Fuzzy Overlay Analysis Suitable Land Plots

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

As there are 275 land plots that have an appropriate fuzzy membership score of 1, 65 land plots will be unused at this time as there are only 110 plants available for reintroduction.

5.0 Model Diagram

In completing the multi-criteria evaluation and the fuzzy overlay analysis conceptual models were used to outline the logic of the entire process in determining the most suitable location for Finlays Fern reintroduction. The first step in beginning the evaluations was to create a TIN (triangulated irregular network). The TIN was created from four shapefiles, North and South Breaklines, and North and South Mass Elevation Points. Once the TIN was created it was converted into a raster surface. The model for these processes can be seen in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Tin and Raster Creation Model

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

Raster surfaces are needed for each of the four criteria before any reclassification can be completed. The initial soil feature class had to be edited because there was an error in the data. It was shifted down so that the actual escarpment soil plot lined up with the escarpment soil in the IKONOS imagery. The soil feature class was then converted into a raster based on the soil names. The raster surface created in the first model located in Figure 4 is used to create a slope surface. From the slope surface both aspect and hillshade rasters were created. Aspect and hillshade used the slope raster as the input because slope direction (aspect) should be derived from the slope raster, and the hillshade which looks at the illumination source angle and shadows which are derived from the slope of the land. The processes of creating a raster for each of the four criteria can be seen in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Raster Creation of Four Suitability Analysis Criteria Model

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

After creating the four criteria raster surfaces, each surface was reclassified based on the values listed in tables 1 through 4, the reclassification values for the multi-criteria evaluation. Once the reclassified raster surfaces were created they were put into an equation in the raster calculator. The model outlining the reclassification of surfaces and the raster calculator can be seen in Figure 6.

Figure 6: Reclassification of Raster Surfaces, Raster Calculator Tool Model

The raster calculator equation can also be found located at the bottom of Figure 6. The final output map showing possible land plots for reintroduction of Finlays Fern can be seen in Figure 2.

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

Figure 7 refers to the fuzzy overlay analysis completed at the end of the project.

Figure 7: Reclassification, Fuzzy Membership and Fuzzy Overlay Analysis Model

For this analysis each raster surface was reclassified using the values found in tables 7 through 10. Once raster surfaces were reclassified for each of the criteria, they were transformed into fuzzy membership surfaces based on the membership types of Gaussian, near or linear. Finally the four criteria membership surfaces were put into the fuzzy overlay analysis tool to create the final output surface identifying land plots that are suited for Finlays Fern reintroduction. Suitable 4m by 4m land plots appropriate for reintroduction of Finlays Fern using the fuzzy overlay analysis can be seen in detail in Figure 3.

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Technical Memorandum: Reintroduction of Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda

Finlayensis) on Niagara College Glendale Campus

Shannon Graup shannon.graup@gmail.com

6.0 Conclusion
During this analysis, 4m by 4m land plots located near the Niagara College Glendale Campus were identified for possible reintroduction sites of the Osmunda Finlayensis commonly known as Finlays Fabulous Fictitious Fern. Other important criteria for reintroduction of Finlays Fern are the slope of the land, slope direction (aspect), hillshade and soil type. Using ArcGIS Desktop 10.1 spatial analyst extension suitable locations were identified using both a multi criteria evaluation and a fuzzy overlay analysis. Suitable locations for Finlays Fern using the multi criteria evaluation can be seen in Figure 2, and suitable locations using the fuzzy overlay analysis can be seen in Figure 3. Using either of these final output maps, there is an ample amount of land plots available for planting 110 Finlays Fern specimen.

References
Botany, R. J. (2011). The Life Cycle of Osmunda Finlayensis and associated fern assemblages. The Endangered Fictitious Fern Review, 19 - 31. ESRI. (2013). ArcGIS Help 10.1. Retrieved February 2014, from ArcGIS Resources: http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/ Smith, I. (2014). Terms of Reference - GISC9308 D2 Finlay's Fabulous Fictitious Fern.

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