PertanikaJ. Trap. Agric. Sci. 22(2): 171-177 (1999) ISSN: 1511-3701© niversiti Putra Malaysia Press

Conceptual Design and Implementation of Geographic InfonnationSystem(GIS) for Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam, Selangor

ISMAIL ADNAN ABDUL MALEKDepartment of Forest Production

Faculty of ForestryUniversiti Putra Malaysia

43400 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Keywords: Geographicallnfonnation System, Decision Support System, forest management planning,spatial analysis

ABSTRAK

Sistem Maklumat Geografi(SMG) memberikan ruang yang besar untuk pembangunan pendekatan yang barudalam pemprosesan data spatial atau geografik berkomputer seterusnya menambahkan dimensi yang baru dalampengurusan, penganalisan dan persembahan jumlah maklumat yang besar yang diperlukan untuk menyokongproses membuat keputusan.' Satu SMG dicadangkan diguna untuk automasi dan penganalisan data dalampengurusan sumber hutan di Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam, Puchong, Selangor. Selain dari operasi-operasi asaspertanyaan attribut dan spatial menggunakan SMG, kaedah modeling spatial dan permukaan juga dapatdigunakan untuk menolong perancangan dan pengurusan hutan di Ayer Hitam.

ABSTRACT

Geographic Information System (GIS) has created a large field of opportunity for the development of newapproaches to computer processing of spatial or geographically referenced data, hence adding a new dimension tothe management, analysis, and presentation of the large volumes of information required in the decision makingprocesses. A GIS is proposed to be used for automation and analysis of data in the management offorest resourcesat Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam, Puchong, Selangor. In addition to basic attribute and spatial query operationsin the GIS, spatial modeling and surface analysis methods should also be used to assist forest planning andmanagement at Ayer Hitam.

INTRODUCTION

Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam, Puchong, Selangorplays a major role in teaching and research atthe Faculty of Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia(UPM). However, a major challenge presentedby the forest is the handling and organizing ofinformation about the resource from past andfuture research. The second challenge is howthis information can be analyzed to supportdecision making. The advent of GeographicInformation System (GIS) has created a largefield of opportunity for the development of newapproaches to computer processing of spatial orgeographically referenced data, hence adding anew dimension to the management, analysis,and presentation of the large volumes ofinformation required in the decision making

processes (Healey, 1988). Since, information onHutan Simpan Ayer Hitam are largely spatial innature, the question arise whether datamanagement and decision making can be improvedusing GIS as a tool. This paper proposes a GIS forHutan Simpan Ayer Hitarn, Puchong, Selangor forthe purpose of data management and decisionsupport. The conceptual design andimplementation of the Ayer Hitam GIS will behighlighted in the paper.

Conceptual Design and Implementation of RutanSimpan Ayer Hitam Geographical InformationSystem (GIS)

Geographical Information System (GIS) is anorganized collection of computer hardware,software, geographic data, and personnel

ISMAIL AD AN ABDUL MALEK

designed to efficiently store, capture, update,manipulate, analyze and display all forms ofgeographically referenced information, (ESRI,1990). Its successful implementation at HutanSimpan Ayer Hitam largely depends on fourrequire men ts. The first requirement isautomation of the GIS database. It is costly andtime consuming to collect and store largequantities of data. The most cost-effectiveapproach is to collect only data required forspecific uses. Secondly, all data collected fromvarious sources, either from existing records,ground surveys, remote sensing and others willneed to be integrated by means of GIS methods.Thirdly, the Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam GIS andits database must be organized so as to facilitatead hoc query and generation of new information.Finally, it must be possible to perform spatialmodeling, in support of decision-making.

The GIS database Automation and Application

The exact information types to be acquired inthe database must first be identified. Each datatype included in the database will comprise ofunique map features and their attributes linked

by special geographic identifiers. This willenable data retrieval and ad hoc queries beperformed on the spatial features. Fig. 1illustrates the conceptual GIS database designfor Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam. It consists offive main data layers: 1) the base map 2)topography 3) drainage 4) infrastructure and5) forest stand.

For design, automation and implementationof the GIS, the software ARC/INFO andARCVIEW (ESRI Inc., Redland, CA) will beused because of their wide availability on personalcomputers. The following stages in the GISdatabase automation and implementation processare illustrated in Fig. 2.

1. Digitizing of existing map sources2. Updating of existing map coverages from

aerial photography, satellite remote sensingand field survey;

3. Development of attribute database for eachspatial features;

4. Data query, spatial analysis and modeling5. Automated mapping and display of results

from data analysis and modeling

TOPOGRAPHYSlope

ContourRelief

DRAINAGERiver/ streamsRiver buffers III

BASE MAP

FOREST STANDTree location

Stock boundaryInventory plots

III

INFRASTRUCTURERoad etworkBuildings

172

Fig. 1. The conceptual GIS database design for Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam, Selangor

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CO CEPTUAL DESIG D IMPLEME TATIO OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM(GIS)

Pre-plan coverage(data layers)

BUILDI GDATABASE

erage I I Coverage

~Create Tic Coverage I I Cov

geI I

Coverage I .,Ir I CoverageI

Re-register mapCoordinate digitized

...Digitize maps

1Construct Topology(Clean & Build)-.

Edit coverage

~Reconstruct Topology-.

Add attribute data/items I~

Transformation ofCoordinate System

-~

Re-construct topologyI

Data Analysis

~Display

(Maps & Report)

Covera

Fig. 2. Combined steps in database automation and Implementation of Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam, Selangor GISUsing ARC/INFO and ARCV1EW software

Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam GIS as a Decision

Support Tool

The true strength of a GIS lies in its functionalityof spatial analysis. The three operations allowedare attribute queries (ad hoc query and retrievalof database), spatial queries and generation of

new information (modeling). These operationsare in support of decision making processes. InForestry, GIS has supported decisions in timberharvest planning, timber inventory and stockmapping, fire risk potential, erosion riskassessment and many others (Harem 1998).

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ISMAIL AD AN ABDUL MALEK

Examples of spatial analysis in the Hutan SimpanAyer Hitam GIS are as follows:

Data Retrieval and Ad Hoc Query (Spatial andattribute queries)

The basic operation in spatial analysis of GIS fordecision support is ad hoc query and display ofspatial features and their related database. Us­ing the GIS, the questions of 'what' and 'where'the resources are can be answered quickly. In­formation or attribute about spatial features canalso be retrieved because of the existence oflinkages between the features and their attributein the database table. Fig. 3 shows a map ofqueried natural and physical features (road, riverand forest compartments) in Hutan Simpan AyerHitam. These features are queried using SimpleQuery Language (SQL) commands provided bythe GIS. Attribute information on the spatialfeatures can also be retrieved by the user andpresented as text or report.

Spatial Modeling and Generation of Scenarios

The advanced operation in GIS as a decisionsupport tool is spatial modeling. Here, lies theoverwhelming advantage of GIS overcartographic, database and statistical software.Spatial modeling allows manipulation of the GISdata to generate new information for a specificplanning task. Specifically, it allows visualizationof alternative scenarios from different decision('what if); hence, enabling further analysis andrefinements of the decisions before the 'best'decision is chosen. This approach reduces therisk of poor planning.

The following example illustrates the use ofspatial modeling technique in site suitabilityanalysis. If the answer required is "the best sitefor construction at Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam?",the selection criteria that meet the "best site"must first be identified as follows:a) the site must be at least 20 meters away

from rivers

ss' , i' ' , t ' t: r • e 't· II ....

Walkin Trail ~nd1AIaI~

NM:ltaable Fbad_ $/~eRoad I~

~ 'A'.ISg Rasau~'/ eoftcu Unes(feet)I=or"est Corrl&trrm

1

EH2013

1415H.SAyer Htem Bou1dary

Fig. 3. Map of Natural and Physical Resource in Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam, Selangor

174 PERT IKAJ. TROP. AGRIC. SCI. VOL. 22 NO.2, 1999

CONCEPTUAL DESIG AND IMPLEME TATION OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATIO SYSTEM (GIS)

QUERY

Slope/Buffer

Fig. 4 shows the overall flow of the spatialmodeling operation. Statistics of suitable areacan also be generated using attribute query toolin the GIS.

The results and output of spatial modelingabove is illustrated in Fig. 5. Using theSTATISTICS tool in the GIS, the extent of areassuitable for construction in the Hutan SimpanAyer Hitam is 89.4 hectares.

Surface Analysis and Modeling

Surface analysis is a recent and more advancedoperation in GIS. It involves the usage of thethird dimension of spatial data (the z variable)in addition to the basic x and y variables in theCartesian coordinate plane (Chou 1997).Elevation is an example of the z variable or 3Dattribute representing terrain topography of astudy area. In the example of the Ayer Hitamforest, three dimensional surface can begenerated in the GIS to enable perspectiveviewing of the resources (Fig. 6). Other surfaceanalysis operation include earth volume, aspectand relief calculations.

INSIDE 1 (in 20 meter buffers);a (outside 20 meter buffer)

WITHI 2 (in 100 meter buffer);3 (outside 100 meter buffer)

SLOPE-CODE 73 (0-14.9degrees),83 (15-24.9 degrees),84 (25 degrees and greater)

Where code values:

SLOPE-CODE slope code

UNION

Y Road/River buffer7

= 2 AND SLOPE-

areas within 100 metermotorized road buffer

areas within 20 meters river

Br River Buffer

/River 7BUFFER

/'--R-o-a-d-/-~Z y Road BUff~

/ Slope /2-------------------1

INSIDE .NE. 1 AND WITHICODE = 73WhereINSIDEbufferWITHIN

The above expression translated into ARCVIEWQUERY command are:

In the site suitability modeling, the methodinvolves creating new digital layers in the GISand extracting certain information from thedatabase layers. The new layers created are roadand river buffers and a layer combining thebuffers with slope layer. Buffer creation is doneusing BUFFERING tool in the ARCVIEW softwareand the combining of data layers are performedusing U 10 I G tool. To model suitable sitefor building construction, the QUERY tool isused. The logical query expression in the modelis as follows:

IF land is 20 meters away from riversAND land is within 100 meters of motorized

roadAND land is less than 15 degrees slopeTHE the areas are recommended for buil­

ding

b) the site must be on less than 15 degreesslope

c) the site must be within 100 meters fromexisting motorable road

Fig. 4. Flow chart of spatial modeling

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~ES

ISMAIL AD AN ABDUL MALEK

176

Fig. 5. Map of Area Suitable for Development in Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam, Selangor

LegendNRi­~Ranges(feel)

779.152 - 674.671683.633- n9.152

.588.114- 683.633492.595- 588.114EJl16 - 492.595301.557 - E.076206.a38 - 3:)1.557110.519 - 206.a38

.15-110.519

Fig. 6. 3 Dimensional View of Ayer Hitam Forest, Selangor

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CONCLUSION

The myriad of operations available inGeographical Information System (GIS) hasmade the system an important decision supporttool in Forestry. Efficient handling and analysisof spatial data provided by GIS enable moreefficient planning and management of forestresources. The need for organized datacollection, storage and analysis in decisionmaking at Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam can bemet if GIS is developed for the forest area.

REFERENCES

CHOU, Y. H. 1997. "Exploring Spatial Analysis inGeographic Information Systems". Santa Fe:OnWard Press.

ESRI. 1990. "Understanding GIS - The Arc/Info Methocf'.(ESRl Inc., Redlands, CA)

HAREM, P. 1998. "Mapping Potential CommunityLanduse Areas in Sabal Forest Reserve UsingGeographic Information System (GIS ").Unpublished B.Sc. Forestry Thesis. Faculty ofForestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia. 54 p.

HEALEY, R.C. 1988. "Geographic InformationSystems: an overview", in GeographicalInformation Systems and Remote Sensing for LocalResources Planning Eds R.A. Vaughn and RP.Kirby. Remote Sensing Products andPublication, Dundee. p. 11 - 19.

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