Effectiveness of GIS suitability mapping in predicting ecological impacts of proposed wind farm development on Aristazabal Island,BC |
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Authors: | James C Griffiths William T Dushenko |
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Institution: | (1) Wind Development, Sea Breeze Power Corp, Suite 1400—333 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 5A6, Canada;(2) School of Sustainable Building and Environmental Management, NAIT, 11762–106 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, T5G 2R1, Canada |
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Abstract: | Predicted impacts from a proposed wind farm at Aristazabal Island, British Columbia, were estimated to examine the compatibility
of a wind farm with ecological factors using Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM). Historically, GIS-based multi-criteria decision
making (MCDM) has not been used extensively in the quantification of ecological impacts. A GIS suitability map was created
based on predictive ecosystem mapping (PEM) data using combined methods of Boolean overlay and weighted linear combination
(WLC). This map was used to assist in generating a preliminary project layout for measuring footprint impacts to ecological
elements. These impacts were tested against a selection of disturbance targets using scoring for ecological (as well as economic
and social) factors based on EBM documentation. Of the 12 ecological targets identified, 10 were easily satisfied by the proposed
layout, while the remaining two, impacts to rare ecosystems and their critical habitat, could be satisfied if the final design
incorporated further field studies. Despite the data gaps and uncertainties (e.g., non-footprint impacts such as fragmentation),
GIS suitability mapping using PEM is demonstrated to be an effective tool in representing a real wind farm and quantifying
its ecological impacts in terms of magnitude. |
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