AGS 789

Selected Topics in Agricultural Systems

(Topics in Spatial Information Systems)

 

First Semester 2005

 

 

 

Description: Selected topics related to current techniques in multi-criteria decision analysis, land evaluation and geostatistical analysis for students who are interested in using advanced techniques in a geographic information system (GIS) for real world problem solving.

 

Objectives:

·         To strengthening the capability of students in using multicriteria decision making analysis for solving complex problems in agriculture and natural resource management.

·         To enable students in using advanced capability of GIS to implement geostatistical analysis of spatial data commonly used in agricultural planning.

 

Credits: 3 credits

 

Semester offered: First semester

 

Instructors: Methi Ekasingh (methi@chiangmai.ac.th) and  Chalermpol

       Samranpong (c.samran@chiangmai.ac.th)

 

Class meeting: MCC Lecture Room 4 MW 1:30-3:00 p.m.

 

Course Outlines:

           

Week

 

Course Outlines

 

1

Spatial Decision-Making Analysis

·         Introduction to Spatial Decision Making and Multiple Criteria

      Decision Making (MCDM)

 

2
  • Evaluation Criteria

 
  • Decision Alternatives and Constraints

3
  • Criterion Weighting Techniques

4
  • Decision Rules

5
  • MCDM Techniques

6
  • Integrating Analytic Hierarchy Process with GIS

 

7

Land Evaluation Using GIS

  • FAO framework
  • Land quality evaluation

 

Mid-Term Exam

8

·          Overall suitability rating

9
  • Economic land evaluation

10
  • Implementing land evaluation in GIS

11

Geostatistical Analysis in GIS

  • The principal of geostatistical analysis

12
  • Exploratory spatial data analysis

13
  • Deterministic methods for spatial interpolation

14
  • Creating a surface with geostatistical techniques

15
  • Final Project

 

 

Recommended Books:

 

·         ESRI. 2003. Using Geostatistical Analyst. ESRI, Redland, CA.

·         Malczewski, J. 1999. GIS and Multicriteria Decision Analysis. John Wiley & Sons Inc.

 

Course Evaluation:

 

·         Mid-term exam 35%; assignments and the final project 30%; final exam 35%.