Towards an Integrated Approach to Natural Hazards Risk Assessment Using GIS: With Reference to Bushfires

Abstract

This paper develops a GIS-based integrated approach to risk assessment in natural hazards, with reference to bushfires. The challenges for undertaking this approach have three components: data integration, risk assessment tasks, and risk decision-making. First, data integration in GIS is a fundamental step for subsequent risk assessment tasks and risk decision-making. A series of spatial data integration issues within GIS such as geographical scales and data models are addressed. Particularly, the integration of both physical environmental data and socioeconomic data is examined with an example linking remotely sensed data and areal census data in GIS. Second, specific risk assessment tasks, such as hazard behavior simulation and vulnerability assessment, should be undertaken in order to understand complex hazard risks and provide support for risk decision-making. For risk assessment tasks involving heterogeneous data sources, the selection of spatial analysis units is important. Third, risk decision-making concerns spatial preferences and/or patterns, and a multicriteria evaluation (MCE)-GIS typology for risk decision-making is presented that incorporates three perspectives: spatial data types, data models, and methods development. Both conventional MCE methods and artificial intelligence-based methods with GIS are identified to facilitate spatial risk decision-making in a rational and interpretable way. Finally, the paper concludes that the integrated approach can be used to assist risk management of natural hazards, in theory and in practice.

Spatially explicit avalanche risk assessment linking Bayesian networks to a GIS

“…A large number of GIS applications for natural hazards have been developed, particularly during the past decade (e.g., Wadge et al, 1993;Carrara and Guzzetti, 1995;Chen et al, 2003;Bell and Glade, 2004). Until now, in spite of the recognized uncertainties in spatial models and data (Fischer, 1991;Hunter and Goodchild, 1995), the output of GIS has mostly been considered deterministically.…”

Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Studies with Remote Sensing and GIS

“…Now-a-days the field of RS has become exhilarating and fascinating with quickly increasing opportunities. A GIS based integrated approach can be used for the risk management of natural hazards [1]. Nowadays, the remote sensing technology can be used to investigate urban terrain, physiognomy, lakes, plants, sights, traffic, land utilization, building and population distribution quickly.…”

Editorial Note "A case of plagiarism"

“…In October 2008, I was informed that a paper published by Taramelli et al (2008) in Volume 8, Number 4, may have represented a case of plagiarism. Following this information, I examined the paper carefully, and compared it to a paper by Chen et al (2003) published in the journal Environmental Management.…”

“…Following this information, I examined the paper carefully, and compared it to a paper by Chen et al (2003) published in the journal Environmental Management. The two papers discuss different subjects.…”

“…The two papers discuss different subjects. Chen et al (2003) present an integrated, GIS-based approach to access the risk posed by bushfires. Taramelli et al (2008) use GIS technology to determine the potential hazards posed by hurricanes.…”