Module 6 Part 2: Least-Cost Analysis

 

    This post focuses on the Least-Cost Analysis part of the module. We were given 3 criteria to work with for this study area: Distance to road, elevation and landcover. To obtain the Road Suitability, I used the Euclidean Distance Tool and the Reclassify Tool. To obtain the elevation and landcover suitability rasters, I used the Reclassify Tool. Then I used the Weighted Overlay Tool on the three reclassified rasters. Afterwards, I created a cost surface by inverting the combined raster layer using the Reclassify Tool. Then, I used the Cost Distance Tool twice, once for each protected area as a source. Finally, I used the Corridor Tool on the two coronado source cost distance rasters to obtain the corridor raster.