6 Ways GIS Can Be Used To Enhance Environmentally Sound Planning

Geographic information systems (GIS) have been increasingly popular in recent years, and their benefits go beyond those listed below. There are several uses for Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including government services, land management, urban planning, water resource planning, and agriculture and education (Wellmann et al. 103921). Other uses include construction inspections, security, agricultural management, and mapping, even though it is still not limited to these uses. In addition to Linux, Microsoft Windows, Android, and Mac OS X, GIS software is obtainable for various operating systems. There are several free or low-cost GIS software options (Wellmann et al. 103924). Therefore, it is essential to try out various GIS software tools before making a final decision. To enhance environmentally sound planning, this article will look at six different approaches to using GIS.

The practice of assessing and managing the environment connected to human activities is known as environmental planning. Long-term development and environmental conservation are intertwined when employed in ecological planning (Wellmann et al. 103927). This effort involves the development and implementation of policies, projects, and programs to reduce the negative impact of human activities on the environment. Planning is another term for this. Environmental planning requires a thorough analysis of the surrounding environment. Besides, the geographical structure and environment distribution study are spatial analyses (Wellmann et al. 103928).

In environmental planning, cartographic and geographic GIS applications are two of the most commonly used GIS applications (Wellmann et al. 103930). Apps that display maps and data related to the physical world are cartographic. In contrast, the geographic application uses maps and data to describe the environmental characteristics of the Earth's surface (Wellmann et al. 103931).

Monitoring and analyzing environmental impacts are the first method by which GIS can promote ecologically sound planning (Hiloidhari et l. 218). There are many ways to assess the ecological influence of a particular activity, product, or service through Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The EIA is a systematic approach used in evaluating a project's potential influence on the environment. It is commonly used as an effective tool for assessing and reducing environmental hazards in the environmental industry.

Secondly, GIS can also improve the decision-making process in ecologically sound planning. Different researchers widely use it in making their final decisions. Making a decision is concluding and taking action based on evidence and other relevant data (Hiloidhari et al. 219). It is the procedure of arriving at the best possible option based on the available evidence and pertinent information concerning the environment. Every decision-making process necessitates some level of policymaking. GIS can be used to assist in the identification of relevant evidence and data. Such minimizes the risk of making a wrong judgment by a substantial amount.

A third way GIS can assist environmental planning is by aiding environmental management (Hiloidhari et al. 221). That is, to help in the control of the environment. Management is the practice of looking after and keeping tabs on a particular system, object, or location. Any design, item, or property can be included under this general management. Almost anything that has been thought up and put into motion falls under "execution."

Fourthly, the usage of GIS helps in managing the environment. Environmental management can benefit significantly from using geographic information systems (GIS) (Hiloidhari et al. 222). It is an excellent tool for environmental management due to its accuracy and makes gathering data more accessible. That is, it aids in collecting the quired information in a better manner and accurately, thus minimizing errors or wrong information.

The fifth way is that it is used to help improve environmental management. Geographic information systems can still be used to improve environmental management and improve environmental quality resulting from better environmental management (Hiloidhari et al. 223). The improvement of environmental management quality results in the advancement of environmental quality. Thus, GIS is viewed as one of the most powerful ecological management technologies available.

For environmental planning, the availability of environmental data and information is essential. GIS is a powerful tool for ecological planning since it offers researchers access to environmental data and information. Environmental data and information can be found in GIS since it is the most efficient technique for acquiring the information and data required. Accessibility of ecological data and information is the final and sixth GIS strategy for improving the ecologically sound design (Hiloidhari et al. 224).

To summarize the above, a geographic information system is a sophisticated tool that has been used successfully to solve several critical problems. GIS is essential for oil spills, wastewater management, sewage treatment, land use planning and much more. GIS provides necessary location data that enhances decision-making and promotes efficiency in virtually every business. Human ingenuity and creativity are the only limits to the potential of GIS. Using GIS as a tool for environmental conservation can be a powerful tool for working together toward a common goal. It is essential to utilize GIS in creating healthy Earth.

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Works Cited

Wellmann, Thilo, et al. "Remote sensing in urban planning: Contributions towards ecologically sound policies?" Landscape and Urban Planning 204 (2020): 103921-103933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.103921

Hiloidhari, Moonmoon, et al. "Emerging role of Geographical Information System (GIS), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and spatial LCA (GIS-LCA) in sustainable bioenergy planning." Bioresource Technology 242 (2017): 218-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.03.079