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Environmental Sensitivity Mapping Case Studies

Environmental Sensitivity Mapping Application, Greenland

Client: Department of Arctic Environment, National Environmental Research Institute

AXYS Environmental Consulting Ltd. developed an Environmental Sensitivity Mapping Application to assist in the pre-spill planning process for the Greenland region. The application consists of a refined sensitivity model that enables users to modify model parameters and quickly generate sensitivity scores and rankings.

The results generated by the modelling application are being incorporated into an atlas for the west coast of Greenland. The system also supports the development of the atlas by generating a number of reports, such as a segment ranking summary and the facing page information for the environmental sensitivity operational maps.

The application consists of two environments:

• a stand-alone application which implements the sensitivity model created using Microsoft (MS) Access
• a series of scripts which assist users of ESRI ArcView to create the symbology and maps necessary to publish the atlas

Arctic Environmental Sensitivity Atlas System

Client: Environment Canada, Environmental Protection Directorate

The coastal atlases developed by AXYS for the Canadian Arctic play an important role in the pre-spill planning process of a practical spill prevention and spill response program. Toward the development of a nation-wide sensitivity mapping system for Canada, various atlases have been incorporated into a menu-driven computer system integrated with a Geographic Information System (GIS) and database technology.

The most important aspect of the atlas is the environmental sensitivity ranking scheme, which is used to determine and illustrate the relative sensitivity of shoreline and offshore areas of the region to the effects of marine oil spills. This ranking system was adapted from the scheme developed for the Lancaster Sound Atlas and was considered necessary in providing planners and oil spill responders with a tool for establishing priorities for protection and clean up in the event of a spill or in a planning and training situation.

The sensitivity ranking system incorporates biophysical and social elements that are important from an oil spill response perspective. These environmental components were assigned to and ranked within four major sensitivity categories:

1. human use
2. biological
3. special areas
4. shore zone and marine oil residence

The study area is divided into sensitivity areas for the application of the ranking scheme to determine the overall sensitivity of a particular area to effects of an oil spill. Rankings for each of the shoreline areas are presented in a series of operational maps, and regional maps by season. Oil spill countermeasure considerations are described for each of the operational maps in the atlas.