A spatially explicit methodology for a priori estimation of field survey effort in environmental observation networks

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Carlos Guerra (Author) Other; Marc J Metzger (Author) Other; Joao Honrado (Author) FCUP; Joaquim Alonso (Author) Other

Journal

Title: International Journal of Geographical Information Science

Vol. 27

Pages: 2077-2098

ISSN: 1365-8816

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Computer and information sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-6QQ

DOI: 10.1080/13658816.2013.805760

Abstract (EN): When establishing environmental monitoring programmes, it crucial to make reliable cost estimates, especially where a field survey is involved. This paper presents a methodology for creating a spatial measure of a field survey effort (SE). A set of relevant variables affecting a SE (e.g. areas with rough terrain, or distant from the main road network) was classified using fuzzy sets and then combined to produce spatially explicit effort indicators, which were integrated to a single measure using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP). To evaluate this approach and identify the limits for its application, three spatially nested case studies were used to test the spatial expression of SE and the scalable capacity of the method itself. The presented methodology could cope with variations in the scale and data resolution, retrieving a coherent estimate of SE across the different case studies. The presented methodology is therefore useful for (i) testing the network designs for sampling bias related to SE, (ii) comparing alternative sampling designs, (iii) assessing the sampling costs and (iv) supporting the human and logistical resource management.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 22