Module 6 Part 1: Suitability Analysis

     The last module of this course (Suitability and Least-Cost Analysis) will be split into two different blog posts, with this post placing emphasis on Suitability Analysis. This map layout compares two suitability scenarios, with each weighing 5 criteria differently. The 5 suitability criteria were Land Cover, Soils, Slope, River Distance, and Road Distance.

    The first 3 criteria feature layers were obtained using the Reclassify Tool, and the distance criteria were obtained using the Euclidean Distance Tool. The final rasters were obtained using the Weighted Overlay Tool. The Alternate scenario is greater in the 2, 4 and 5 suitability category areas, whereas the Equal Weight is greater in the 3 category. This is most likely due to the differing weights, as the Alternate Scenario places greater emphasis on the Slope criteria, and less emphasis on the Distance criteria.