Gisc9318 d2 Polskih Techmemo

Project No: 54796
March 9th 2018
Technical Memorandum
Project: Finlay’s Fabulous Fictitious Fern Restoration Project: Niagara College
Client: Ian. D. Smith Prepared by Hayden Polski B. Sc
Subject: Introduction to ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
Date: March 9th, 2018 Project Number: 54796
1.0 Introduction
The Finlay’s Fabulous Fictitious Fern (Osmunda Finlayi) is a shy plant that had large stretches of
its natural habitat destroyed by the construction of the Niagara College Glendale Campus. Now,
two decades since the completion of the campus, the school and restoration groups are making
efforts to reintroduce healthy samples to the area surrounding the Niagara College Glendale
Campus.
However, reintroducing the Finlay Fern to a natural environment is not a simple matter, as the fern
requires a very specific habitat to thrive and survive against other local species that may
outcompete it in other conditions. It requires substantial amounts of shade throughout the year, too
much sunlight can cause it to dry and wither while too little decreases its chance of survival and
preproduction. It favors steep slopes where other plants may have a harder time becoming
established. It also favours slopes that face north east, as at the local altitude and it aids in the
proper exposure of sunlight throughout the year. The Finlay Ferns root systems are much more
efficient in escarpment soils, but can also manage well in Toledo or Cashew soils. It has difficulties
surviving in Beverley or Peel soils, while Haldimand and Lincoln soils prevent its growth. Also,
the root systems of Finlay Fern are quite extensive, meaning that each fern should be given an area
no less than 4 x 4 meters or 16m2 to prevent competition between the reintroduced samples.
In order to increase the chances of a successful reintroduction of the greenhouse raised specimens,
the proposed introduction area has been examined and its data compiled into several shapefiles.
Using these files and the data that they represent, it is possible to create a model that would best
indicate the areas that are ideal for the reintroduction to occur.
2.0 Study Area

The area in which the restoration will occur is a 1 Km x 2 Km area surrounding the Niagara College
Campus. Figure 1 is an image of the study area overlaid on orthoimagery of the Niagara Region.
Within the area, data has been obtained regarding the soil type, elevation and break lines. Using
these, an analysis can be done that would determine the best habitats given the needs of the Finlay
Fern. There are areas that are well developed of have been heavily altered such as the college
vineyards, while other areas are less altered since the creation of the college. Portions of the study
area were not mapped and as such, are not eligible for fern reintroduction.
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96 Cole Crescent, Niagara-on-The-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0
Tel: (519) 841 4151 Email haydenpolski@gmail.com
Project No: 54796
March 9th 2018
Figure 1: Study Area Overlay (Navy Blue)
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3.0 Data Analysis

Data analysis was done in two stages for the restoration project. A weighted analysis and a fuzzy
analysis were conducted using the provided data. Both created areas that indicate the best suited
locations for reintroduction, but the weighting difference and methods employed in the analysis
resulted in slightly different outputs.
The data provided for analysis was five shapefiles. Of these five files, two contained point data
(Masspoint files) data, two contained polyline data (Break lines) and the last contained polygon
data (Soil).
GC_Campus_North_Mass_Points.shp
GC_Campus_South_Mass_Points.shp
GC_Campus_North_Breaklines.shp
GC_Campus_South_Breaklines.shp
GC_Area_Soils.shp
Figure 2 is an image of each of these files. The left most is the North and South Masspoints, the
center is the North and South Breaklines and the right is the Soils. In additiona, prior to beginning
the analysis the soil shapefile had to be corrected, as it was offset from the rest of the files and the
study area.
Figure 2: Base Data (Left: North and South Masspoints, Center: North and South Breaklines, Right: Soils)
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4.0 Methodology
The analysis of the data was done in two stages. First a weighted analysis then later a Fuzzy
analysis. Both methods of analysis provide outputs that indicate the best locations for the
reintroduction of the Finlay Fern to occur, but the methods behind each one and the classification
of data for each result in different outputs. This variation in output can be linked to the
reclassification of data in later steps of the analysis.
Before either analysis could occur, the base data needed to be transformed into a usable format.
In the shapefile format the data is not in a usable format for the analysis tools. To begin the
transition to a usable datatype, the breaklines and mass points were combined in a TIN file. Figure
3 is the resulting output of the creation of the TIN file.
Figure 3: TIN file composed of Masspoints (North and

South) and Breaklines (North and South)
After the TIN is created it is then transformed into a raster dataset that can be used for analysis.
While the TIN is being created, the Soil shapefile is also transformed into a raster file. When the
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Project No: 54796
March 9th 2018
Figure 4: Classification Model: Presplit
soil raster was made, the Name_1 file was maintained as it contains information on which polygons
are each type of soil. The Mass/Breakline raster was subject to three separate tools, resulting in
three new raster files. The Hillshade transformation determined required additional inputs to help
determine the level of shade based upon the land and position of the sun. Values of 180° for the
azimuth and 65.98° for the altitude. The slope was calculated in degree, and the aspect required no
additional inputs. From this point the two methods of analysis diverge. Figure 4 shows the model
up to the point of divergence. Appendix 1 contains a full model.
3.1 Weighted Analysis

The weighted analysis was performed first. Each of the four raster files (Hillshade, Aspect, Slope
and Soil) had the data contained reclassified. The reclassification was a simple 0, 1 2 method,
where a 1 indicated that the aspect was positive to the growth of the Finlay Fern, and a 0 meant
that the condition was either negative or inconsequential. 2 is only used in soil, where 1 is for a
good soil, while a 1 represents the best possible soil. The following tables contain information on
the reclassification each file was subject to. NoData was also used in place of 0 in some locations
as the two carried the same amount of weight in the analysis.
Aspect Reclassification: Weighted
Analysis Hillshade Reclassification:
Original Value New Value Weighted Analysis
0-247 0 Original Value New Value
247-360 1 0-195 0
NoData NoData 195-235 1
Table 1: Aspect Reclass (Weighted) 235-255 0
NoData NoData
Table 2: Hillshade Reclass (Weighted)
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March 9th 2018
Slope Reclassification: Weighted Soil Reclassification: Weighted

Analysis Analysis
Original Value New Value Original Value New Value
0-20 0 Peel NoData
20-65 1 Cashel 2
65-90 0 Lincoln NoData
NoData NoData Haldimad NoData
Table 3: Slope Reclass (Weighted) Escarpment 1
Beverly NoData
Toledo 2
NotMapped NoData
NoData NoData
Table 4: Soil Reclass (Weighted)
Following the creation of the reclassified raster, they were run through the Weighted Analysis.
For the weighted analysis, each of the four input raster was assigned a weight for how heavily
they influence the results. Table 5 displays the weight of each input.
Weighted Analysis: Input Weight
Input Weight
Aspect 23
Hillshade 15
Slope 47
Soil 15
Table 5: Weighted Values
The input weights were determined based upon specifications in the terms of reference. Namely
that the Hillshade and slope are of equal importance, the aspect is thrice as important as the
aforementioned factors, and that the slope is twice that of the aspect. Given a limited weight
totalling 100, the values were determined so that even if an input contribute a small amount, that
it still would have a level of influence. The resulting output can be seen below in Figure 5 and a
full map in Appendix 2. The red area representing the best locations for the fern to be planted,
according to the weighted overlay inputs and reclassification.
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Project No: 54796
March 9th 2018
Figure 5: Weighted Analysis Overlay Output
3.2 Fuzzy Analysis

Like the weighted analysis, the fuzzy analysis starts with a reclassification. However the
reclassification used in the fuzzy analysis are much more specific than those used in the
weighted. The numbering system is also reversed, where a high value now indicates better
growth conditions and a low number is poor conditions. Figure 6 is the section of model
Figure 6: Fuzzy Analysis Model Section
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March 9th 2018
responsible for the Fuzzy Analysis process. The tables below list the original values as per the
terms of reference and their new values that are used in the Fuzzy Analysis.
Aspect Reclassification: Fuzzy Hillshade Reclassification: Fuzzy
Analysis Analysis
Old Value New Value Old Value New Value
0-247 0 0-180 0
247-292.5 2 180-195 2
292.5-337.5 4 195-220 4
337.5-360 2 220-235 2
NoData NoData 235-255 0
NoData NoData
Table 6: Aspect Reclassification (Fuzzy) Table 7: Hillshade Reclassification (Fuzzy)
Soil Reclassification: Fuzzy

Analysis
Original Value New Value
Peel 1
Slope Reclassification: Fuzzy Analysis
Cashel 2
Old Value New Value
0-20 0 Lincoln 0
20-35 2
35-45 3 Haldimad 0
45-55 4 Escarpment 3
55-65 2 Beverly 1
65-90 0 Toledo 2
NoData NoData NotMapped NoData
NoData NoData
Table 8: Slope Reclassification (Fuzzy)
Table 9: Soil Reclassification (Fuzzy)
After the reclassification there was another process to be run on each of the raster. The fuzzy
membership tool transforms the data values and places them onto a range between 0 and 1.
Where 1 is fully a member of the specified set and 0 is defiantly not a member of the set.
However there is a further specification for each of the fuzzy membership tools. The Slope and
Hillshade files were done using a Gaussian method, meaning that a regular bell curve is created
with the data, and values on either side of a specified point are weighted based upon their
position along the curve. A Near method was used for Aspect, the Near is similar to Gaussian,
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Project No: 54796
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but with a much steeper bell curve. All three of the above classification methods were specified
in the terms of reference, but the Soil was not, as such a linear method was used. In a Linear
method, the values are placed along a straight line, with the highest value located at the 1.0
location and the weight of each value is based upon their position along the line. An example of
each of there can be seen below in Figure 7.
Figure 7: Examples of Gaussian (Upper Left),

Near (Upper Right) and Linear (Lower Left)
Fuzzy Analysis models (ESRI, 2016)
Following the fuzzy membership, four more raster were produced. These raster were then
merged using the fuzzy overlay tool and overlaid onto the map. The resulting output can be seen
below in Figure 8 where the yellow sections represent the best areas for planting the ferns,
followed by red, blue, black, purple and green, in descended order of fitness. A full map can be
seen in Appendix 3.
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Project No: 54796
March 9th 2018
Figure 8: Fuzzy Analysis Output
5.0 Discussion
The selection process for appropriate reintroduction zones for the Finlay Fern resulted in two
outputs, both providing very similar results. However, the weighted analysis and fuzzy analysis
do produce slightly different results about the absolute best locations in which fern
reintroduction could occur. Appendix 2 and 3, shows the final outputs for each of the analysis
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March 9th 2018
and the recommended locations in which the ferns should be planted. The weighted analysis
(seen in Figure 5) represent a much smaller area that that seen in the fuzzy analysis (seen in
Figure 8). The areas shown in the weighted overlay tend to fall outside of the best suited zones in
the fuzzy overlay (yellow and red) and tend to rest within the blue area. This is likely the result
of how each factor is considered in the weighted verses fuzzy analysis.
The weighted analysis assigns a value to each of the inputs and calculates an output based on
these values. This differs from the fuzzy analysis where each input is taken evenly. The greatest
influence for the weighted analysis is the slope, followed by the aspect, with soil and hill shade
being the least important. This means that the areas indicated as ideal in the weighted analysis
would have been labeled as such primarily due to the slope of the hill and the aspect, with the
influence of soil and hill only playing a minor role.
The fuzzy analysis takes all of the factors and weighs them equally, with variations in
importance’s based upon the new value made by the reclassification. Because of this, despite the
slope value being the most important factor, it is weighted equally with the soil and hillslope,
each of which only carry a faction of the weight as the slope in the weighted analysis.
6.0 Conclusion
Based upon the weighed and fuzzy analysis, the recommended locations for the reintroduction of
Finlays Fern would be the areas specified by the weighted analysis. Due to the importance of
slope compared to the other factors, the weighted analysis would indicate the areas with the ideal
slope for the fern. The areas indicated in the weighted analysis also fall within the boundary of
the blue section for the fuzzy analysis. Those sections are rated high for the reintroduction rating,
meaning that the hill shade, soil and aspect for those areas must are also within the acceptable
bounds for reintroduction. Appendix 4 contains a map where both the weighted and fuzzy
analysis are present, allowing for the ideal locations to be identified.
References
ESRI. (2016). How Fuzzy Membership works. Retrieved from ArcGIS for Desktop:
http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/10.3/tools/spatial-analyst-toolbox/how-fuzzy-
membership-works.htm
Smith, I. D. (2013). GISC9308 - Deliverable D2 -ArcGIS Spatial Analyst - 2013W. Niagara-On-the-Lake,

Ontario, Niagara.
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Project No: 54796
March 9th 2018
Appendix
Appendix 1: Model
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Appendix 2: Weighted Overlay Map
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March 9th 2018
Appendix 3: Fuzzy Overlay Map
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March 9th 2018
Appendix 4: Fuzzy and Weighted Overlay Map
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Project No: 54796

March 9th 2018

Client: Ian. D. Smith Prepared by Hayden Polski B. Sc

Subject: Introduction to ArcGIS Spatial Analyst

Date: March 9th, 2018 Project Number: 54796

2.0 Study Area

Figure 1: Study Area Overlay (Navy Blue)

3.0 Data Analysis

Figure 3: TIN file composed of Masspoints (North and

Figure 4: Classification Model: Presplit

3.1 Weighted Analysis

Slope Reclassification: Weighted Soil Reclassification: Weighted

Figure 5: Weighted Analysis Overlay Output

3.2 Fuzzy Analysis

Figure 6: Fuzzy Analysis Model Section

Soil Reclassification: Fuzzy

Table 9: Soil Reclassification (Fuzzy)

Figure 7: Examples of Gaussian (Upper Left),

Figure 8: Fuzzy Analysis Output

Smith, I. D. (2013). GISC9308 - Deliverable D2 -ArcGIS Spatial Analyst - 2013W. Niagara-On-the-Lake,

Appendix 2: Weighted Overlay Map

Appendix 3: Fuzzy Overlay Map

Appendix 4: Fuzzy and Weighted Overlay Map

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