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A case study of integrated risk assessment mapping in the Southland Region of New Zealand
Author(s) -
Hutchinson Gary,
McIntosh Peter
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620190446
Subject(s) - microclimate , environmental resource management , scale (ratio) , environmental science , resource (disambiguation) , soil water , geography , cartography , computer science , soil science , computer network , archaeology
Risk assessment at the regional level requires quality resource information on critical factors for sustainable land‐use decisions. This paper describes a major community initiative underway in the Southland Region of New Zealand involving geographic information systems mapping of 850,000 ha at a 1:50,000 scale. At a southerly latitude of 46° in the southern part of the South Island of New Zealand, the critical factors affecting plant growth are soil quality and air temperature. Air temperature is being measured with a network of 900 automatic data loggers positioned to represent key features of the landscape and recording maximum and minimum temperatures every hour for a full year. Data are then differentially adjusted using the nearest long‐term weather station to the site to generate a 30‐year normal temperature record and consequent growing‐degree‐day value for each site. Isocontour maps are then generated to identify microclimates of interest within the landscape. Soils of the area are being mapped at the same time and to the same scale to allow integrated development of the critical information for sustainable land‐use decisions. Basic soil attributes will be interpreted to produce maps for crop suitability, vulnerability to structural degradation, and leaching risk. High‐class soils will also be identified. An Internet site and a bureau service will be established. This will provide technical support and interpretation of the data for clients to encourage wide use of the information produced by the project. The project is being supported and funded by the local community in the belief that the provision of high‐quality resource information will lead to significant employment opportunities in the region.