Incorporating GIS and MCE for Suitability Assessment Modelling of Coral Reef Resources

• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-006-4628-y
• Publication Date: 2006-03-02T12:12:49Z
• Authors: J. Bello-Pineda; R. Ponce-Hernández; M. A. Liceaga-Correa
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Conservation of Natural Resources; Geographic Information Systems; Animals; 14. Life underwater; Models, Theoretical; Anthozoa; Mexico; 01 natural sciences; Environmental Monitoring; Nephropidae; Turtles

Assessment, planning and management for coral reef ecosystems are particularly challenging tasks, especially in developing countries. In this study, a methodological approach which integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multicriteria Evaluation (MCE) for the development of suitability assessment models for a variety of uses of coral reef resources is discussed. Such an approach is sustained by an extensive use of local expert knowledge coded in the form of automated decision trees (DTs). The usefulness of the approach and the models developed is demonstrated by their application to the participatory assessment and resources planning at "Alacranes Reef National Park" (ARNP), Yucatán, México. Overlaying of resulting suitability maps was also applied for identifying potential conflicting areas.