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In depth look at already covered themes
There are 5 themes currently available:
Lesson 2, Discrete spatial distributions
As previously discussed in the Lesson 2 of the Basic Spatial Analysis Module (B-AN), spatial features are identified from the property distribution of discontinuous (discrete) variables. This Lesson 2 now concentrates on the spatial distribution of zonal or areal features.
In the first Unit tools are proposed to investigate the degree of spatial dependency that rules the distribution of zonal features and their thematic properties throughout the whole extent of the study area. Similar to continuous spatial variables, there are autocorrelation methods measuring the degree of spatial dependency. The second Unit focuses on the description of zonal features within their neighbourhood, this at different spatial scales. At the regional scale numerous indices of structure are illustrated, as at a local scale for indices of texture.
Lesson 3, Continuous spatial variables (not yet finished)
This Lesson focuses on the central concept of regionalised variables, a key concept in geostatistics. It first takes an empirical approach to link sampled observations with variography and kriging interpolation methods. It then relates variography with properties of random functions and variables.
Based on the distribution of elevation (Digital Elevation Model), numerous indices can be derived for the description of terrain and topographic properties of a study area. This Lesson 4 illustrates a selection of derived indices and spatial features exploited in three different applied fields.
In the first Unit the production of drainage networks is presented and discussed in the context of hydrological applications. The production of several engineering measurements (profiles, surface, volume …) is then proposed in the second Unit. The topic of visibility analysis is finally presented in the third Unit, including the study of factors influencing the visibility of a landscape, such as solar illumination and atmospheric content.
Accessibility describes spatial distance relations between objects.
The fundamental concepts of distance relations and networks for the constrained
object relations were given in the
basic accessibility Lesson (B-AN).
In the first Unit of this Lesson cost surfaces,
constrained surfaces and
their applications are introduced. In the second unit
network analysis
(shortest path, travelling salesman problem) and corresponding algorithms
are presented.
The topic of Suitability analysis was already presented in the Basic Module of Spatial Analysis (B-AN, Lesson 7). The suitability of a location refers to the ability of a location on the basis of one or several objectives and criteria. It results from a decision process in which decision rules should be elaborated. In many situations this process is complex due to the difficulty to set sharp limits between suitability and unsuitability, due to the uncertainty present into information and because of conflicting objectives. This Lesson presents two major topics related with this complex process. In the first Unit the application of a fuzzy overlay for non-boolean decision rules is introduced. In the second Unit methods for the multi-objective analysis are presented.
Lesson 7, Introduction to Time Change and Spatial Dynamics
As an introduction to this topic, lesson 7 presents a variety of contexts in which time changes occur. In order to identify specific objectives and methodologies within these contexts, this Unit proposes a list of key factors controlling contexts of time analysis. This leads also to isolate two complementary approaches: the evolution of thematic properties of spatial features (Thematic changes) and the evolution of spatial distribution and patterns, that includes the analysis of movements in space (Spatial dynamics).
Lesson 8, Thematic Change Analysis
This lesson 8 proposes a framework to organise potential methods with respect to the objectives and to the information context of the change analysis. It is structured into three sections: the production of change indices, the description of the behaviour of time series, and multivariate time change analysis. Such approaches are mainly concerned with the thematic changes of the properties of spatial features, both at univariate and multivariate levels.
Lesson 9, Spatial Change Analysis
This lesson 9 presents several methodologies to investigate these two approaches. The spatial change analysis concentrates on how space evolves throughout time by the identification of local and regional change components. It makes use of the change indices presented in lesson 8 and explores the spatial distribution of these changes in terms of intensity and direction of change. On the other hand, the modelling and simulation of movements in space deal with the process of space accessibility. Cellular automata and diffusion models offer tools for analysing spatial growth processes, whereas accessibility processes can be analysed with the use of concepts such as the cost distance, frictions, barriers, and anisotropic properties of space.
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