User guide for Spatial Landscape Modelling (SPLAM) software package in ArcGIS using ArcObjects and Visual basic: Operational Manual

Full text

User Guide for Spatial Landscape
Modelling Developed in ArcMap using
ArcObjects and Visual Basic 6.0
( An Operational Manual )
Author
C. Jeganathan
Puja Narula
Indian Institute of Remote Sensing
(National Remote Sensing Agency)
Department of Space
Dehradun
February 2006

Contents
Page No.
CHAPTER 1: Introduction
1.1
Background 3
1.2
Overview of the Package 3
1.3
Basic Requirements 8
1.4
Assumptions & File-Naming Conventions 9
CHAPTER 2: File Menu
2.1
Setting the workspace 10
2.2
Opening & viewing the Grid 10
2.3
Opening a Layer File 10
2.4
View SPLAM CODE 11
2.5
Grid Information 11
2.6
Value Attribute table 11
2.7
Remove Layer 11
CHAPTER 3: Landscape Parameters
3.1
Patchiness 20
3.2.1 Class count based Interspersion 23
3.2.2 Pixel count based Interspersion 23
3.3
Fragmentation 26
3.4
Porosity 29
3.5
Juxtaposition 33
3.6
Biotic Interference 38
3.7
Ground Based Information 43
CHAPTER 4: Digital Elevation Model
4.1
Interpolate to raster 45
4.2
Terrain Complexity 45
4.3
Reclassify 46
CHAPTER 5: Landscape Modelling
5.1
Disturbance Index 51
5.2
Biological Richness 60
CHAPTER 6: Other Operations
6.1
Raster-Arithmetic 67
6.2
Raster Rendering 70
CHAPTER 7: File Naming Conventions 72
CHAPTER 8: Possible Errors and Remedies 75
APPENDIX I SPLAM coding scheme 76
APPENDIX II Functionalities of Toolbar 79
2

Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background:
Spatial Landscape Modelling (SPLAM) is a geo-spatial semi-expert system software.
which is developed under windows environment for operational execution of the
Biodiversity Characterisation at Landscape Level Project initiated under Department of
Space and Department of Biotechnology. During the initial phase of the project the
software called BiOCAP was developed by IIRS & RRSSC software team members. But
it was developed for UNIX environment and hence limited to very few users. Later it was
felt that it has to be implemented in windows environment in order to efficiently utilize
the software. SPLAM has been developed and customized under the Arc/Info
environment using the facilities of Arc Macro Language (AML) and libraries of GRID
module.
But as it is known that, over the last couple of years ESRI has moved its programming
platform from application-specific languages like AML for ArcInfo and Avenue for
ArcView to industry-standard environments like Visual Basic and C++. ESRI’s first
offering in an industry-standard platform for developing applications to work with GIS
data is MapObjects It allowed programmers to take certain GIS components and put
them in their VB, C++ or other Active X application. As Active-X technology has
evolved into component object modeling technology (COM and COM+), ESRI has
paralleled this evolution in their growth from MapObjects to ArcObjects. ArcObjects are
platform independent software components, written in C++, that provide services to
support GIS applications. Using ArcObjects technology a new toolbar is developed in
ArcMap for Landscape Analysis.
1.2 Overview of the Toolbar:
Using ArcObjects Technology a new Toolbar entitled “Biodiversity Characterisation
Project” is developed in ArcMap by customizing ArcGIS environment using the
facilities of ArcObjects and Visual Basic 6.0. Visual Basic 6.0 is used as Front-end to
develop the interfaces with which the user will interact. At the back-end raster libraries of
ArcObjects are used. The toolbar has been designed to suit the functional requirements of
Landscape Analysis as needed for “Biodiversity Characterisation Project” started
under DOS-DBT. It has been tried to provide very user-friendly interfaces to do
landscape Analysis. User friendly GUI has been provided which helps the user to execute
the functions through easy pull-down menus and click-and-go type of implementation.
Help feature has been provided wherever necessary. Under the Toolbar six Menus are
provided namely File, Landscape Parameters, DEM, Other Operations, Area Statistics
and Help. The Toolbar looks like the following Figure 1.2.
3

The initial startup splash screen of SPLAM will look like the following figure (Fig.1.1).
4

The Toolbar looks as follows.
The sub-menus are shown as follows.
File Menu
Landscape Parameters
5

DEM Menu
Other-Operations Menu
6

Area Statistics
Help Menu
7

1.3 Basic Requirements:
Licensing Issues regarding ArcGIS:
“Biodiversity Characterisation Project” Toolbar has been developed and customized
under the ArcGIS environment using the facilities of Visual Basic 6.0 and libraries of
ArcObjects. So user must have working version of ArcGIS Software with ArcObjects
Developer kit. In ArcMap, Macros facility under Tools Menu should be enabled.
Installation Aspect:
User should have administrative privileges since working of the toolbar requires creating
a directory and installation of a Template to the user login directory. Hence user should
have full administrative permission on his login directory. User should have enough
space in C: Drive so that installation of the template will not be interfered due to space
problem. As soon as user enters working directory while doing Analysis, a textfile named
“workspace.txt” will be created inside the userworkspace.
8

1.4 Assumptions & File-naming Conventions:
t landscape analysis, it is decided to fix
e coding schemes for all possible classes on ground. All the forest classes are grouped
In order to make the user clear and to do efficien
th
as Dominant Phenological Classes (value 11-19), Gregarious Types (21-49), Locale
Specific (51-69), Forest Plantation (71-89), Degradational Types (91-109), Woodlands
(110), Scrub/Shrubs(120), Grasslands (130), Non-Forests (150-200), Reject Classes like
Cloud, shadow (255). This range provides the user to have his own and enough classes of
his study area. Detailed table giving information on the classnames and
corresponding codes (coding scheme) has been listed in Appendix-I. The users
should ensure that the same codes are used while deriving classified images from the
Digital Image Processing platform.
The Package would require VEGETATION dataset as a primary layer, for deriving all
ndscape metrics. The name of the vegetation layer must be “grdvegtype”.
r any same
nalysis done (one with current filename and another previous version will have ‘*old’).
la
At any time of processing there would be maximum of 2 files available fo
a
Two Landscape parameters i.e. Porosity and fragmentation will produce two files as
output. One with suffix”di”, will be used for running DI. In this NODataValue is
converted to 0 and one without suffix “di” can be used by the user for doing any kind of
analysis.
9

Chapter 2: File Menu
File Menu is the first Menu in the Biodiversity Characterisation Project Toolbar. It has 7
.1 Setting the Workspace
ser has to set the working directory which contains grdvegtype. To set the workspace
.2 Opening and viewing the Grid
ser can open a Grid by clicking on GRIDOPEN. By default the working directory is
.3 Opening a Layer File
eographic information is displayed on a map as layers; each layer represents a particular
ow to save a layer to disk
1. In the Table of Contents change the color of the layer and right-click the layer
2. row and navigate to the location where you
3.
The user can view it by clicking the LAYEROPEN button. It is shown in Figure 2.3.
Menu Items. User can set the workspace, open the Grid, open layer file, view Grid
Information, Value Attribute Table, SPLAM code Table, remove a layer from TOC.
2
U
click on FILE -> WORKSPACE. As soon as the user enters text in the textbox, a
combo box will be displayed at the bottom of the textbox which contains already existing
working directories. If the working directory is present in the combo box user can select
it from there and click OK. The working directory entered by the user will be added to
the combo box, so next time the user does not have to enter in the textbox.
It is shown in Figure 2.1.
2
U
displayed. It will show only the ESRI Grid Files In the working directory.
It is shown in Figure 2.2.
2
G
type of feature such as streams, lakes, or highways. Layers are listed in the ArcMap Table
of Contents and can be further organized into data frames. When a layer is saved to disk,
we save everything about the layer. User can change the color of the Grid and can store it
as a layer file.
H
and click SaveAs Layer File.
Click the Look in dropdown ar
want to save the layer.
Click Save.
10

2.4 View SPLAM Codes
LAM codes in the SPLAMCODE Table. As soon as the user
licks on splamcode, it will show the table shown in Figure 2.4(a). If the user wants to
.5 Grid Information
rmation like no. of rows, columns, minimum, maximum value
ixel size etc. It can be seen by GridInfo option. The layer for which information is
nd
.6 Value Attribute Table
the GRID can be seen by Vatinfo option. It will show you
e Value (class value) with the no. of Pixels within each class. The layer for which VAT
.7 Remove Layer
User can view and add SP
c
add a new code click at “ADD CODE” Button it will show a popup window “Do you
want to enter new code”. If the user clicks on YES, then it will show the message, Please
see help file to add new code. Click on HELP button to see the steps to add code. Enter
no. of rows in the text box to add new row in the table. Click on ADDROWS to add the
rows. New row will be added at the end of the table. Now click on the added row and
enter the text and code no. Click on SAVE button to save this code to the table. If the
user wants to delete the text entered, then click on DELETE. To Exit click QUIT. It is
shown in Figure 2.4(b) & 2.4(c). It is advised not to use the TAB key to enter a code.
Only Mouse Click should be used.
2
User can view Grid Info
P
needed should be opened in the ArcMap window. User has to select the layer first a
then he can see the information of that grid. If the user doesn’t select the layer it will pop
up a message “Please select the raster layer from the Table of Contents”. It is shown in
Figure 2.5.
2
The attributes attached with
th
is needed should be opened in the ArcMap window. User has to select the layer first and
then he can see the information of that grid. If the user doesn’t select the layer it will pop
up a message “Please select the raster layer from the Table of Contents”. It is shown in
Figure 2.6.
2
remove the layer from The Table of Contents user has to select the
tion.
If the user wants to
layer and then click RemoveDisplay op
11

Figure 2.1 Steps to set the Workspace
3
4
Enter Location
2
Select the workspace if already entered
Click on workspace
1
Click OK
12

Figure 2.2 Steps to open a raster Grid File
Select the raster data to open
1
Click ADD
2 3
13

Click SaveAs Layer File
Right Click on the Layer
Right Click on any color
Select the color
Figure 2.3 Steps to save a grid as Layer File
14

1
Click ADDCODE if
wants to enter new Code
2
Figure 2.4 (a) Steps to view and add new SPLAM code
15

4
Click Yes or No 3
5
Figure 2.4 (b) Steps to view and add new SPLAM code
16

Click the cell if
wants to delete the
value and then click
DELETE
10
11
Click SAVE Click QUIT
Figure 2.4 (c) Steps to view and add new SPLAM code
17
Enter No. of rows
6
7
8
Click ADD
ROW 9
Enter class and code

1
Figure 2.5 Steps to view Grid Information
If layer is not selected
2
3
18

1
If layer is not selected
Figure 2.6 Steps to view Value Attribute Table
2
3
19

Chapter 3: Landscape Parameters
The main aim of Landscape Analysis is to calculate the Disturbance Index (DI) and
Biological Richness Map (BR). DI map requires Porosity, Patchiness, Interspersion,
Juxtaposition, Buffer and Fragmentation as inputs. For generating BR map we require
Ecosystem Uniqueness (EU), Species Richness (SR), Biodiversity Value (BV), Terrain
Complexity and DI maps.
The input file needed to calculate the Landscape Indices is the vegetation Grid file i.e.
“grdvegtype”. The file should be in Grid Format and present in the user workspace.
Besides this, other layers such as transportation layers (road, settlement, rail - arcinfo file)
for Buffer Generation, Juxtaposition Weight age Table, EU_SR_BV Table based on Field
Data and DEM for running Terrain Complexity are also required.
The user can rerun any process. At a time user can have two files one current file and one
with the suffix “old”.
How to calculate the inputs for DI is discussed one-by-one.
3.1 Patchiness
Patchiness is defined as no. of patches of all types (classes) or no. of polygons in a given
mask. The program expects the user to enter the mask size in meters and precede
computing Patchiness. Firstly the input file i.e. “grdvegtype“ is indexed and then Block
Statistics is calculated for non overlapping neighborhood. The output filename is
“patch_500” if the user enters mask size 500.
If the user reruns the process with the same mask size, then the previous file will be
named as “patch_500old” and now the current file will be “patch_500”. The same
criteria of renaming the file is used in other Landscape parameters. Steps to run
patchiness are shown in Figure 3.1 (a). The conceptual explanation is shown in Figure
3.1(b)
As soon as patchiness is calculated, “Process over” is displayed at the bottom of the
form. User has to click the “QUIT” button to come out from the frame.
20

1
QUIT to Exit
Click OK to calculate
Patchiness
3 4 2 Enter mask size
Figure 3.1 (a) Steps to run Patchiness
21

Figure 3.1 (b) Patchiness Concept 22

3.2 Interspersion
Interspersion is defined as no. of dissimilar neighbor’s w.r.t. central Class or Pixel value
in 3 x 3 window. The program proceeds by analyzing 3 x 3 window across entire area. In
both the cases maximum dissimilarity of 8 is possible.
3.2.1 Class Count Based Interspersion
This approach will count number of dissimilar classes w.r.t central class. User has to
enter the mask size. The grdvegtype is firstly resampled to the new pixel size i.e. Mask
size divided by 3. Then Focal Statistics is calculated for the resampled image. The output
filename is “int_500” if the user enters mask size 500. It is shown in Figure 3.2.1.
3x3window
11 12 11
11 10 13
11 10 10
Interspersion is 3
3.2.2 Pixel Count Based Interspersion
This approach will count number of dissimilar pixels w.r.t. central pixel. User has to enter
the mask size. The grdvegtype is firstly resample to the new pixel size i.e. Mask size
divided by 3. Through Pixel Block Method dissimilar pixels w.r.t to central pixel are
counted. The output filename is “intc_500”. It is shown in Figure 3.2.2.
11 12 11
11 10 13
11 10 10
3x3window
Interspersion is 6
23

1
Click Class count
2Enter mask size
3 4
Click OK to calculate
Interspersion QUIT to Exit
Figure 3.2.1 Steps to run Interspersion
(Class Count Based)
24

1
Click Pixel count
2Enter mask size
4
3Click OK to calculate
Interspersion QUIT to Exit
Figure 3.2.2 Steps to run Interspersion
(Pixel Count Based)
25

3.3 Fragmentation
Fragmentation is defined as number of Forest and Non-Forest patches per unit area.
Fragmentation is calculated only for Forest Classes. By Default (according to the
program) Fragmentation is calculated for class code less than 150. But user can enter
class code according to his need and analysis will be done less than the mentioned class
code. It is handled internally by the program. Fragmentation will produce two outputs.
Say the user enters mask size 500, one in which NoData value is converted to 200, is
named with “frg_500” and can be used by the user for analysis. Another output named
with “f_500_di” in which 200 value is converted to 0 value will be used in DI
calculation.
If the user reruns the process with the same mask size, then the previous file will be
named as “frg_500old” and “f_500_dio” respectively. Steps to run Fragmentation are
shown in Figure 3.3(a). The conceptual explanation is shown in Figure 3.3(b).
26

Enter class code
1
2 3 Enter mask size
QUIT to Exit
5
Click OK to calculate
Fragmentation
4
Figure 3.3 Steps to run Fragmentation
27

Figure 3.3 (b) Fragmentation Concept 28

3.4 Porosity
Porosity is defined as total number of patches within a particular type or class. Porosity is
calculated only for primary forest types such as Dominant Phenological Classes,
Gregarious types etc. Two options are given to the user for selecting the Class for which
porosity calculation is to be done.
• Single Value : As soon as the user clicks at the option button Single Value, a combo
box is displayed and user has to select the class value. Steps to run Porosity using single
value are shown in Figure 3.4 (a)
• Range Of Values : If the user wants to calculate Porosity for a range of values say 11-
19 user has to enter the range in the text boxes. Grouping of classes is done internally.
Porosity will produce two outputs. Say the user enters mask size 500 and selected class
value is 13, then it will produce an output “por50013” in which NoData value is
converted to 200 and can be used by the user for analysis. Another output named with
“p50013_di” in which 200 value is converted to 0 value will be used in DI calculation.
If the user selects a range of values say 13 to 14, then output file name will be
“por5001314” and “p5001314_di”.
During calculating Porosity, firstly class selected by the user will be extracted. If the user
reruns the process with the same mask size, then the previous file will be named as
“por50013o” or “por5001314o”. Steps to run Porosity using Range of values are shown
in Figure 3.4(b).
29

If the user selects single value
3
Click single value option & select class code
2Enter mask size
1
Click OK to calculate
Porosity 4 5 QUIT to Exit
Figure 3.4 (a) Steps to run Porosity for single-value 30

1
If the user selects Range of Values
Enter range
2
Click Range of values option
Click OK to calculate
Porosity
4 5 3
Enter mask size
QUIT to Exit
Figure 3.4 (b) Steps to run Porosity for Range-of-values
31

Figure 3.4 (c) Porosity Concept
32

3.5 Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition is defined as proximity of the vegetation to the vegetation. In simple words
the act of placing or positioning classes side-by-side or next to one another to illustrate
some comparison as per study area. The user assigns weightages by the importance of
adjacency of two cover types.
As soon as the user clicks on Juxtaposition, it will show a form as shown in Figure 3.5(a).
The form consists of a matrix which shows the class codes as present in “grdvegtype”.
For entering the weightages, user has to click at the cell of the matrix. As soon as the cell
is clicked it shows two option buttons
• Same value: If the weightage given to 13, 14 is equal to 14, 13.
In this, user has to enter the weight only once. E.g. if the user enters the weight for
13, 14 then it will automatically entered for 14, 13.
• Different value: If the weightage given to 13, 14 is not equal to 14, 13.
In this user has to enter the weights separately.
Delete Cell Value:
If the user wants to delete any cell value, he has to click on that particular cell and then
click on “Delete Cell Value”. If the user has selected the option SameValue at the time
of entering the weightages, then both the cell values will be deleted.
Export To Excel Sheet:
User has to export the Matrix to the Excel Sheet for future use. After clicking on the
“ExportToExcelSheet” Button, user will be asked to save the File with the name
“juxtaposition” at the workspace. An example file shown in Figure 3.5(b) is displayed
which shows how the matrix is stored in Excel Sheet.
Import From Excel Sheet:
For importing the already entered weightages user has to import the matrix by clicking at
ImportFromExcelSheet.
After entering the weightages user has to click NEXT Button. User will be asked to enter
mask size. For calculating Juxtaposition Map user has to click "Save & Go Ahead".
33

Method of Calculation:
Consider an Example matrix in which one of the blocks in the image has three classes 11,
12, 13. The weightage Matrix will be made as shown in Figure 3.5(c). The adjacent
Horizontal & Vertical Pixels and the diagonally adjacent pixels w.r.t. the central Pixel are
having weightage 2 & 1 respectively.
34

6
Steps to enter weights in Juxtaposition Matrix
3Click Next
Choose the option
1
Figure 3.5 (a)
If user wants to delete
any cell value then
select the cell and click
on delete cell value
Click to export the
Matrix to Excell
Sheet
Click any of
the Matrix cell
5 2
435

Enter mask size
7
Click Save &
Go Ahead
8
Click QUIT to Exit
9
If juxtaposition table is already
saved then click Import from
Excell Sheet
Figure 3.5 (b) Steps to save table and run Juxtaposition
36

Class Values in grdvegtype (say, 11,12,13)
5
6
9
11
9413
4912
5611
1312
655
69
699
Weightage Matrix
Applied Weightage *
121
202
121
9*1 + 9*2 + 6*1 + 6*2 + 6*1 + 5*2 + 5*1 + 9*2
= 9 + 18 + 6 + 12 + 6 + 10 + 5 + 18 = 84
121313
121111
121111
Original Image
(a)
Class Relation Weightage Position Weightage
(c) (d)
(b)
Figure 3.5 (c) Example Matrix
37

3.6 Biotic Interference (Buffer Generation)
One of the main causes of disturbance is Human Interaction with Forest. Input required
for Buffer Generation is road, railway, point settlement and area settlement. If any of the
input layers is not available, then the program does not consider it. Following are the
Buffer Generation steps.
Step 1: Convert Feature To Raster
All the feature layers (road, railway, point settlement and area settlement) are to be
converted to raster one-by-one. It is done with Convert option under Spatial Analyst
Extension in ArcMap. User has to select road/settlement/rail as input from the workspace.
In the “Field” combobox user has to select Id option e.g. if user selects road as input then
from Field combobox he has to select road-Id, specify output cell size. Following Output
file name should be specified while converting feature to raster. It is show in figure
3.6(a).
Road ----------------------------------- road_gr
Railway ----------------------------------- railway_gr
Point Settlement ----------------------------------- settlep_gr
Area Settlement ------------------------------------ settlea_gr
Step 2: Merge Transportation Layers
All the Transportation Layers which are converted to raster are to be merged into a single
layer through merge function. User has to run merge function to merge all the layers. The
intermediate output filename is “rd_merge”. It is shown in Figure 3.6(a).
Step 3: Straight Line Distance Function
After merging the layers, Straight Line Distance function is to be run for calculating
distance from every cell to the nearest source. It is done with Straight Line function under
Spatial Analyst Extension in ArcMap. Select the input file named “rd_merge” from the
workspace, set output cell size and set the output raster file (intermediate filename) as
“bufd”. It is shown in Figure 3.6(b).
Step 4: Buffer Generation
For generating Buffer, user has to provide no. of zones and zone width (in meters). If the
user wants to create 3 zones each of width 500m then output filename will be
“buf_500_3”. In the output file the first zone occurring close to the road will be given the
value 3, next zone will have the value 2, next 1. It is shown in Figure 3.6(b).
38

Step 5: Buffer Extent
If the extent of the buffer is not equal to “grdvegtype” then user has to run Buffer Extent
function. User has to select the output of Step 4 as the input file by clicking at the
“SELECT FILE” Button. Outputfile name should be specified in the Textbox provided
for “Output File”. Steps to run Buffer Extent are shown in Figure 3.6(c).
39

1Select Input communication layer file
2Select corresponding _ID option
3Enter cell size
4Specify Output file
Steps to Covert Feature To Raster
5Click OK
6
To Merge Communication layers
It will create Output File after merging rd_merge
Figure 3.6 (a) 40

6Select rd_merge grid file
7Enter cell size
Specify output filename “bufd” in
the workspace
8
9Click OK
Steps to run Straight Line Distance Function
10
Enter No. of Zones
11
Enter Buffer Width
12
Click OK
Steps to Generate Buffer
41
Figure 3.6 (b)

16 Enter output file name
Click OK Steps to run Buffer Extent
Click Select File 17
13
Select File
Click QUIT Figure 3.6 (c)
14
15
42

3.7 Ground Based Information- EU_SR_BV
An Interactive Interface for inputting the information derived from Ground sample Plot is
provided which helps the user to input Ground data on Ecosystem Uniqueness (EU),
Species Richness (SR), Biodiversity Value (BV). As soon as the user clicks on the menu-
item EU_SR_BV, a Matrix will be displayed, this contains 4 columns. First column
shows the class values present in the grdvegtype. Second, third and fourth column
corresponds to EU, SR and BV respectively. User can enter the weightage by clicking the
cell of the matrix. Cell value can be deleted by clicking the “Delete Cell Value” Button.
Weights entered in the matrix can be exported to Excel sheet for future use by clicking
the “Export to Excel Sheet” Button. The excel sheet will be saved in the workspace by
the name “eusrbv.xls” and will be opened so that the user can view the weights entered
by him and can also make changes if required. The excel sheet can be imported in the
matrix by clicking the “Import From Excel Sheet” Button. As soon as the user clicks on
the OK button the data in the excel file will be converted to corresponding GridFiles. The
program makes use of grdvegtype file and by reclassifying the grdvegtype 3 new Grids
will be created viz; grdeu (Ecosystem Uniqueness), grdsr (Species Richness), grdbv
(Biodiversity Value). Steps to create EU, SR, BV from ground information is shown in
Figure 3.7.
43

Click any of the Matrix cell
and enter weightage
1
If Ground Table is already
saved then click Import from
Excell Sheet
Click OK
4
Select the cell and
click on delete cell
value if needed
Click to export the
Matrix to Excell
Sheet
2 3
Figure 3.7 Steps to Generate EU_SR_BV Grid 44

Chapter 4 : Digital Elevation Model
4.1 Interpolate To Raster
Terrain Complexity will be calculated in three stages. At first instant DEM of a particular
study area is interpolated to raster using “Inverse Distance Weighted” method. User
should specify the output filename as “grddem” while running “Inverse Distance
Weighted” function. Other options like kriging, spline are also provided to interpolate to
raster. User can opt for any of the methods. It is shown in Figure 4.1.
4.2 Terrain Complexity
Output of step 1 will be taken as input for calculating Terrain Complexity. User has to
enter mask size. The output file name will be “temp_tcp300” if Terrain Complexity is
run at 300m mask size. Standard Deviation is calculated for non-overlapping
neighborhood using Block Statistics function. The resulting map of Standard Deviation is
squared through map algebra function and variance is calculated. The resulting map is
nothing but Terrain Complexity. It is shown in Figure 4.2.
Example: Let us consider the following set of High Elevation values in the User Area.
Variance is calculated as follows:
()
()
2
1int.
∑−
−
sofsamplePoNo
ionValueMeanElevatalueElevationV
Variance for the above matrix comes out to be 35.78.
The following is the example of Low Elevation values.
1413 1417 1421
1418 1422 1427
1424 1428 1432
100 103 106
105 107 110
108 111 114
Variance for the above matrix comes out to be 18.1.
45

4.3 Reclassify
The output map of Terrain Complexity is to be reclassified using reclassify function
under DEM Menu. The output has to be classified into 10 (or user requirement) equal
intervals using Equal Interval option in Reclassify function. User can opt for other
methods also like Manual, Natural Breaks etc. Output filename should be specified as
“tcp_masksize” where masksize is the value entered by the user to run TC. It is shown in
Figure 4.3(a) & Figure 4.3(b).
46

Select DEM of the study area
1
2Enter cell size
3
Specify output file name as grddem
Figure 4.1 Steps to Interpolate raster using Inverse
Distance Weightage method
47

1Enter mask size
2Click OK
Figure 4.2 Steps to run Terrain Complexity
48

Select output of terrain complexity
1
2
Click classify
3rd , 4th and 5th step
at next slide
Specify output file
name as tcp_(*) Click OK
7
6
* Masksize at which
Terrain complexity is
run
Figure 4.3(a) Steps to Reclassify a Grid
49

Select number of
classes Select method for
classification
3
4
5
Figure 4.3 (b)
50

Chapter 5: Landscape Modelling
A provision is made to facilitate the user to assign weightages to different Landscape
Parameters and to calculate Disturbance Index (DI) and Biological Richness Map (BR).
A user friendly interface has been designed separately each for DI and BR under
Landscape Modelling menu. As soon as the user clicks on Landscape Modelling, user is
given the option to choose which Landscape Model to run.
5.1 Disturbance Index (DI)
As soon as the user selects the DI model to run, a frame containing three Tabs
Landscape Indices considered, Indices Weights, Class-Within-Indices Weights is
displayed.
• Landscape Indices considered
All the six input parameters are displayed with check boxes; through which user can
make multiple selections on the basis of which DI will be calculated. A textbox is given
to enter mask size. “File” Button is given to display the list of files from which user has
to select the corresponding input file for all the parameters.
As soon as user clicks at “File” button a list is displayed, from which the user has to
select the input file. User has to repeat the steps for each parameter. The selected file is
displayed in the text boxes on the frame.
Since user can run porosity for more than 1 class, all the files for porosity (according to
user requirement) should be selected by clicking the “Add File” Button. User can select
the Files of Porosity one by one which will be added to the “Selected File” combobox. In
case user selects an unwanted file for porosity then it can be removed from the combobox
by selecting the file and clicking the “Remove File” button. Steps for selecting the files
are shown in Figure 5.1(a), 5.1(b) & 5.1(c).
• Indices Weights
This option is given to the user to assign higher importance to a particular parameter for a
given study area. An expert can be a best judge for a given study area. User can assign
weightage in any ratio because finally the output will be divided by the sum of weights.
User can also select one of the scenarios to assign weightage automatically.
¾ Scenario 1 depicts that “All indices are equally important”, so selecting
this option will give equal weightage of 1 to all the parameters.
51

¾ Scenario 2 depicts that “Spatial Association and Human Interference is
important”, it gives a weightage of 5 to Juxtaposition and Buffer and a
weightage of 2 to rest of the parameters.
¾ Scenario 3 depicts that “Patchiness and Fragmentation is important”, it
gives a weightage of 5 to these 2 parameters and a weightage of 2 to the
rest.
¾ Scenario 4 is user defined. User can assign his own weights and can add
his views and reasons for assigning weights, in the textbox provided under
scenario 4.
Steps to assign weights are shown in Figure 5.1(d).
• Class-Within-Indices Weights
Once user has selected the Landscape indices, and has provided the weights, now its time
to assign class-within-indices weights. An interactive menu is provided for each
landscape parameter. Here Min and Max depicts the range of the input layer selected
while the weights are to be provided within 0-1 range as per the parameter selected. Min
and Max of only those layers are shown which are selected as an input to DI. Default
weights are also provided which can be assigned by clicking at “Set Default Weight”
Button. Hints are provided to the user to decide the weights for different parameters.
Steps to assign class-within-indices weights are shown in Figure 5.1(e).
After assigning weights user has to save the input details for future use. To save user has
to click “Save” button. As soon as user clicks at the Save button an input box will be
displayed in which user has to enter the filename. If filename already exists then user will
be asked to replace the existing file. After clicking Yes or No the workbook will be
opened and user can even make changes and now resave it. After saving the information
for future use, click “CALCULATE” button to calculate Disturbance Index.
Retrieving Weights
Once user has saved the entered weights and wants to run DI again, he can retrieve the
saved information by clicking at “Retrieve” button. It shows the list of excel files in the
workspace and user can choose the file from the listbox and he finds that all the details
are automatically added in the frame. It is shown in Figure 5.1(f).
Calculating DI
Firstly all the input parameters are reclassified according to class-within-indices weights.
The reclassified image is then multiplied with the corresponding indices weight. The
outputs are then added and the added image is divided by the sum of indices weight. The
output image is nothing but the Disturbance Index Map with the file name “dis_750” if
52

DI is run at 750m mask size. Finally DI only for Forest part is calculated. This option is
available only if the user has run fragmentation. It will internally take fragmentation and
DI map as input and generates “dis_veg” which is the DI map for Forest part of a
particular study area.
53

2 3 1
Enter Mask Size Select The Model
4
Click to select
the
parameters
Click to select
the File
54
Figure 5.1 (a) Steps to Select Landscape Indices

5
6
Add Porosity Files one – by - one
Click Remove File Select The File
To remove unwanted files of porosity
Figure 5.1 (b) Steps to Select Input Porosity Files
55

Repeat for other landscape parameters
Selected Input Files are Displayed here
56
Figure 5.1 (c)

8
Choose any option
7
Click
Indices
weights
Assign weights
957
Figure 5.1 (d) Steps to Assign Indices Weights

14
Click SAVE
15
10
11
Change
weights
accord -
ingly
13
12
If Default weights are OK Figure 5.1 (e) Steps to Assign Class-within-Indices Weights 58

To retrieve already entered
weights from the saved file
1
Click Retrieve
2
3
4
Select The file
Stored information comes automatically
59
Figure 5.1 (f) Steps to Retrieve Weights from saved file

5.2 Biological Richness Map
Biological Richness at landscape level is defined as a function of Ecosystem Uniqueness
(EU), Species Richness (SR), Biodiversity Value (BV), Terrain Complexity and
Disturbance Index.
As soon as the user selects the Biological Richness model to run, a frame containing three
Tabs Indices considered, Indices Weights, Class-Within-Indices Weights is displayed.
• Indices considered
All the five input parameters (EU, SR, BV, DI and TC) are displayed with check boxes;
through which user can make multiple selections on the basis of which BR will be
calculated. A textbox is given to enter mask size. “File” Button is given to display the list
of files from which user has to select the corresponding input file for all the parameters.
As soon as user clicks at “File” button a list is displayed from which the user has to
select the input file. User has to repeat the steps for each parameter. The selected file is
displayed in the text boxes on the frame. It is shown in Figure 5.2(a) & 5.2(b).
• Indices Weights
This option is given to the user to assign higher importance to a particular parameter for a
given study area. An expert can be a best judge for a given study area. User can assign
weightage in any ratio because finally the output will be divided by the sum of weights.
User can also select one of the scenarios to assign weightage automatically.
¾ Scenario 1 depicts that “All indices are equally important”, so selecting
this option will give equal weightage of 1 to all the parameters.
¾ Scenario 2 depicts that “Disturbance Index and Terrain Complexity is
important”, it gives a weightage of 5 to DI and TC and a weightage of 2 to
rest of the parameters.
¾ Scenario 3 depicts that “EU, SR and BV are important”, it gives a
weightage of 5 to these 3 parameters and a weightage of 2 to DI and TC.
¾ Scenario 4 depicts that “TC and EU are important”, it gives a weightage of
5 to these 2 parameters and a weightage of 2 to the rest.
¾ Scenario 5 is user defined. User can assign his own weights and can add
his views and reasons for assigning weights, in the textbox provided under
scenario 5.
Steps to assign weights are shown in Figure 5.2(c).
60

• Class-Within-Indices Weights
Once user has selected the Input Indices for BR, and has provided the weights, now its
time to assign class-within-indices weights. An interactive menu is provided for each
parameter. Here Min and Max depicts the range of the input layer selected while the
weights are to be provided within 0-1 range as per the parameter selected. Min and Max
of only those layers are shown which are selected as an input to BR. Default weights are
also provided which can be assigned by clicking at “Set Default Weight” Button. Hints
are provided to the user to decide the weights for different parameters. Steps to assign
class-within-indices weights are shown in Figure 5.2(d).
After assigning weights user has to save the input details for future use. To save user has
to click “Save” button. As soon as user clicks at the Save button an input box will be
displayed in which user has to enter the filename. If filename already exists then user will
be asked to replace the existing file. After clicking Yes or No the workbook will be
opened and user can even make changes and now resave it. After saving the information
for future use, click “CALCULATE” button to calculate Biological Richness.
Retrieving Weights
If user wants to run BR again, user can retrieve the saved information by clicking at
“Retrieve” button. It shows the list of excel files in the workspace and user can choose
the file from the listbox and he finds that all the details are automatically added in the
frame. It is shown in Figure 5.2(e).
Calculating BR
Firstly all the input parameters are reclassified according to class-within-indices weights.
The reclassified image is then multiplied with the corresponding indices weight. The
outputs are then added and the added image is divided by the sum of indices weight. The
output image is nothing but the Biological Richness Map. Finally BR only for Forest part
is calculated. It will internally take DI map (Calculated for forest part only) and BR map
as input and generates “br_veg” which is the BR map for Forest part of a particular study
area.
61

4
3
Click to select
the
parameters
Click to select
the File
2
1Enter mask size
62
Figure 5.2 (a) Steps to Select Biological Richness Indices

Repeat for other landscape parameters
Selected Input Files are Displayed here
63
Figure 5.2 (b)

5Click on Indices Weights
6Choose any option
7
Assign Weights
64
Figure 5.2 (c) Steps to Provide Indices Weights

12
Click SAVE
13
8Click on Class-within-Indices-weights
9
Change
weights
accord -
ingly
11
10
If Default weights are OK
Figure 5.2 (d) Steps to provide class – within - Indices weights 65

To retrieve already entered
weights from the saved file
1
Click Retrieve
2
Select the Saved file
3
Stored information
comes automatically
66
Figure 5.2 (e) Steps to retrieve weights from saved file

Chapter 6: Other Operations
It gives the facility of raster arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, division and
multiplication. In addition to this, Raster rendering is also provided by which user can
display any grid with “Unique Values” or “Stretched” or “Classified Values”.
6.1 Raster – Arithmetic
User can perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division operation on raster
data under raster arithmetic menu. As soon as the user clicks at the Raster Arithmetic
menu item a frame shown in Figure 6.1 is displayed. For performing any arithmetic
operation, user has to provide input layers on which operation is to be done. User can
select the layers by clicking at the “Select Layers” Button. It will take the user to his
workspace and user can make selection. The selected grid file will be added to the list
box named “Input File”. User has to select only two layers one-by-one because the
program running in the background will allow operation to be done only on two layers at
a time. User has to select one of the options from the option buttons provided and has to
specify the output file name which will be saved in the workspace automatically after
clicking the “OK” Button. It is shown in Figure 6.1(a) & 6.1(b).
67

1
Specify output file
3
2
Select and add the
Grid File
Figure 6.1 (a) Steps to do Raster Operations
68

54 6
Select an option Click OK Quit To Exit
Figure 6.1 (b)
69

6.2 Raster Rendering:
When a raster layer is created from a raster dataset, it will be displayed with a default
renderer most appropriate for the particular raster layer. The renderers available are:
• Unique Values renderer: It is used when user has to assign a unique color to each
value.
• Classified renderer: It is used when the raster layer is to be displayed with
classifying values into categories.
• Stretched renderer: It shows a single-band of continuous data with a large number
of values. Only the lowest and highest values are displayed in TOC.
To use raster rendering option, first select the layer from TOC. Choose any option from
the Raster Rendering menu. As soon as the option is selected the layer will be displayed
accordingly in TOC. It is shown in Figure 6.2.
70

1
23 Select an option
Select a layer
If layer is not selected
Quit To Exit
Figure 6.2 Steps to do Raster Rendering
71

Chapter 7: File Naming Conventions
The following file naming convention would be used under the project for state-level
database creation: Theme files under respective workspaces at state level:
Filename Description
VegType Vegetation type map
grdvegtype Vegetation type map (Grid)
settlea Settlement polygons
settlep Settlement point data
road Road network
rail Rail network
grddem Derived DTM from contour/Spot height
Intermediate derived layers (GRID files)
vegtopatches Indexing File for Patchiness
settlea_gr Polygon Settlement layer in Grid format
settlep_gr Point Settlement layer in Grid format
road_gr Road layer in Grid format
rail_gr Railway layer in Grid format
rd_merge Merged raster layers for Buffer
bufd Straight Line distance function output
grdeu Economic Uniqueness
grdeuold Economic Uniqueness (Old File)
grdsr Species Richness
grdsrold Species Richness (Old File)
grdbv Biological Value
grdbvold Biological Value (Old File)
tcpvar_masksize Output of Terrain Complexity
tcp_masksize Reclassified Terrain Complexity
Here mask size is the size in meters which user specifies while running
a process.
72

Text Files
File Name Description
All the Ground Parameters and weightages are stored in respective text files with (.txt)
extension.
bufascii.txt Buffer weightage File
intascii.txt Interspersion weightage File
fragascii.txt Fragmentation weightage File
juxascii.txt Juxtaposition weightage File
patchascii.txt Patchiness weightage File
porascii.txt Porosity weightage File
euascii.txt Ecosystem Uniqueness weightage File
bvascii.txt Biodiversity Value weightage File
srascii.txt Species Richness weightage File
diascii.txt Disturbance Index weightage File
tcascii.txt Terrain Complexity weightage File
bufdistance.txt Buffer Straight Distance File
userview.txt User View of giving weightage for DI and BR
These files are made when user gives weightages to calculate DI and BR.
• euascii.txt, bvascii.txt, srascii.txt are made when user runs EU_SR_BV to generate
EU_SR_BV grid.
• Userview.txt contains userview for giving weightages while running DI and BR
Excel Files
Juxtaposition Table, EU_SR_BV Table, DI and BR weights are stored in respective excel
files with (.xls) extension.
File Name Description
Juxtaposition.xls Juxtaposition table
eusrbv.xls Ground Information for EU_SR_BV
Derived files for landscape analysis (Grid files)
General naming convention: Theme_Mask_Classcode
Class-codes are used only in selected Grid files.
old:Indicates the previous version of the Grid file.
73

_di:File used for DI calculation.
_dio: Indicates the previous version of the Grid file used for DI calculation.
Fragmentation : frg_(----)
: frg_(----)old → old file
f_(----)_di → file taken for DI calculation
f_(----)_dio → old file
Porosity* : por(----) (---) → files based on classcodes
: por(----) (---)o → old file
p(----)(---)_di → file taken for DI
Patchiness : patch_(----)
: patch_(----)old
Interspersion : intc_(---) → class count based approach
intc_(---)old
: int_(---) → pixel count based approach
int_(---)old
Juxtaposition : jux_(---)
jux_(---)old
Buffer : buf_(----)_(---)
buf_(----)_(---)old
Terrain Complexity : tcp_(----)
Biotic influence : buf_(Width of zone)_(No. of zones )
Buf_(----)_(--)old
Disturbance Index : dis_(----) →output of spatial model
dis_(----)old
dis_veg → DI depicting Forest Area only
Biological Richness : br_(----) →output of spatial model
br_(----)old
br_veg
*Long file names are not allowed, hence file name for porosity and fragmentation which
will be used for DI running are given with prefix “p” and “f” respectively.
74

Chapter 8: Possible errors and remedies
Errors may occur while doing Landscape Analysis. Following points should be taken care
of before running any process.
• Spatial Analyst extension in ArcMap should be on before running any process.
• While running any program, if error message “Operation has been cancelled” is
displayed, then delete the existing file related to that process.
e.g. if user is running Patchiness at a mask size of say 600m, and the above error
message is displayed then user has to delete the file patch_600 manually from the
workspace and then proceed.
• Please remove the corresponding layer from Table of Contents in Arcmap
Window, before running a process.
e.g. if user is running Patchiness at a mask size of say 600m, then he must remove
the patch_600 layer from TOC if it is opened otherwise it will give error in
renaming the file if required during the execution.
• Please check for the input file (displayed on each form) in the workspace before
running the process.
• In Parameters like Porosity, Juxtapositin and EU_ER_BV generation user must
check for the existence of grdvegtype file in the workspace.
• While assigning weighatges for DI and BR, user should check that the textboxes
provided for entering weightages should be properly entered.
• While retrieving data from Excel Sheet, please assure that the Excel Sheet should
not be ‘Read Only’.
75

Appendix – I
SPLAM coding scheme for the vegetation type map
As the forest type maps would be directly imported into the Arc/Info Grid
database, the class codes for classification under the ERDAS environment should be
followed as follows:
Class Description Class codes
A. FOREST (10-130) Range of class codes for
all the forest types
o Dominant Phenological Classes 10
(This is derived by grouping classes 11-17 automatically by the program while
computing porosity etc The users need to specify only value 10 in the programme to
select all phenological classes)
• Evergreen 11
• Semievergreen 12
• Moist Deciduous 13
• Dry Deciduous 14
• Sal Mixed Moist Deciduous 15
• Teak Mixed Moist Deciduous 16
• Thorn Forests 17
• ………….. 18
• ………….. 19
o Gregarious Types 20
(This is derived by grouping classes 21-40 automatically by the
programme while computing porosity etc. The users need to specify only
value 20 in the programme to select all gregarious classes)
• Sal 21
• Teak 22
• Dipterocarpus 23
• Mesua 24
• Bamboo 25
• Pine 26
• Fir 27
• Pruce 28
76

• Oak 29
• Deodar 30
• Hardwickia 31
• Red Sandar 32
• Euphorbia Scrub 33
• Boswellia 34
• Babul 35
• Butea 36
• Aegle 37
• Zizyphus 38
• Cassia 39
o Locale Specific 50
(This is derived by grouping classes 51-56 automatically by the programme while
computing porosity etc. The users need to specify only value 50 in the programme to
select all gregarious classes)
• Mangrove / Swamps 51
• Sholas 52
• Riverine / Riparian 53
• Sacred Groves 54
• Coral Reefs 55
• Dry Evergreen 56
• ………… 57
• ………… 58
o Forest Plantation 70
(This is derived by grouping classes 71-73 automatically by the programme while
computing porosity etc. The users need to specify only value 70 in the programme to
select all gregarious classes)
• Teak 71
• Eucalyptus 72
• Acacia 73
• ………… 74
• ………… 75
• ………… 76
o Degradational Types 90
(This is derived by grouping classes 91-92 automatically by the programme while
computing porosity etc. The users need to specify only value 90 in the programme to
select all gregarious classes)
77

• Abandoned Podu / Jhum 91
• Degraded Stages (Shola Scrub) 92
• ………….. 93
• ………….. 94
o Woodlands/ Tree Savannahs/
Shrub Savannahs 110
o Scrub/Shrubs 120
o Grasslands 130
o NON-FOREST (150-200)
o Wetlands 150
o Orchards (Tea/Coffee/Areca nut/
Coconut gardens etc.) 160
o Agriculture 170
o Fallow/Barren 180
o Water body 190
o Settlement 200
o Reject classes 255
78

Appendix II
Brief Functionalities of the Toolbar
The Toolbar has been organised into an easy-to-use user friendly GUI based
customization. The primary functionality includes all the analysis and modeling functions
and other related requirements of the project. The menu is organised as follows:
FILE OPTIONS FUNCTIONS
Workspace Selection of Workspace
GridOpen Selection and file (Grid) open
LayerOpen Selection and file (Layer) open
Splam Code Display of Possible SPLAM codes and
addition of new codes
GridInfo Description of the selected Input Grid file
Vatinfo Display of the Value Attribute Table of
Grid File
Remove Display Remove a layer from Table Of Contents
LANDSCAPE
PARAMETERS
OPTIONS
FUNCTIONS
Patchiness Creates an output grid file representing
patchiness for the user mask area
Class Count Based: Creates an output
grid file by counting dissimilar classes
w.r.t central class
Interspersion
Pixel Count Based: Creates an output
grid file by counting dissimilar pixels
w.r.t central pixel
Fragmentation Creates an output grid file for
fragmentation of the input forest classes
Porosity Creates an output grid file representing
porosity for the user given input class
and user defined mask area
Juxtaposition Creates an output grid file for
Juxtaposition
79

LANDSCAPE
PARAMETERS
FUNCTIONS
Feature To Raster: Convert
transportation layers to raster
Merge Raster: Merge raster converted
transportation layers
Straight Line: Distance function to run
Straight line function
Buffer Generation: Based on the output
of Distance function and user defined
number of buffer zones and width of
each zone, an output buffer grid file will
be created
Buffer
Buffer Extent: Set extent of buffer equal
to grdvegtype
EU_SR_BV Generating EU_SR_BV grid based on
ground data
Disturbance_Index: The weighted
parametric modeling based on the user
decided weightage scheme is used to
produce a grid of disturbance_index.
Selection of input parameters of user
interest for including in the model is also
possible at users will.
Landscape
Modelling
Biological Richness: Derivation of
Biological Richness Index.
DEM FUNCTIONS
Interpolate to raster Interpolate the DEM using inverse
distance weightage or kriging etc.
Terrain Complexity Terrain Complexity using interpolated
DEM
Reclassify Reclassify any Grid
Derivatives Calculate slope, aspect etc.
80

81
OTHER
OPERATIONS
FUNCTIONS
Raster Arithmatic Performs Raster Arithmatic operations
Raster Rendering Rendering on Grid files