Modeling land suitability/capability using fuzzy evaluation

Modeling the suitability of land to support specific land uses is an important and common GIS application. Three classic models, specifically pass/fail screening, graduated screening and weighted linear combination, are examined within a more general framework defined by fuzzy logic theory. The rati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:GeoJournal 2014-04, Vol.79 (2), p.167-182
Main Authors: Qiu, Fang, Chastain, Bryan, Zhou, Yuhong, Zhang, Caiyun, Sridharan, Harini
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Area planning & development
Boolean
Boolean data
Boundaries
Conceptualization
Decision making
Distribution
Environment
environmental factors
Environmental Management
Fuzzy
Fuzzy logic
Fuzzy set theory
Fuzzy sets
Geographic information systems
Geographical information systems
Geography
Human Geography
Kudzu
Land
Land evaluation
Land suitability
Land use
Mathematical models
Model theory
Modeling
Pass fail grading
Precipitation
Pueraria montana var. lobata
Screening
Social Sciences
Socioeconomic factors
Statistical analysis
Studies
U.S.A
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Summary:Modeling the suitability of land to support specific land uses is an important and common GIS application. Three classic models, specifically pass/fail screening, graduated screening and weighted linear combination, are examined within a more general framework defined by fuzzy logic theory. The rationale underlying each model is explained using the concepts of fuzzy intersections, fuzzy unions and fuzzy averaging operations. These fuzzy implementations of the three classic models are then operationalized and used to analyze the distribution of kudzu in the conterminous United States. The fuzzy models achieve better predictive accuracies than their classic counterparts. By incorporating fuzzy suitability membership of environment factors in the modeling process, these fuzzy models also produce more informative fuzzy suitability maps. Through a defuzzification process, these fuzzy maps can be converted into conventional maps with clearly defined boundaries, suitable for use by individuals uncomfortable with fuzzy results.
ISSN:0343-2521
1572-9893
DOI:10.1007/s10708-013-9503-0