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Lecturer(s)
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Václavík Tomáš, doc. RNDr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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Rising human populations and intensive land-use practices are placing growing pressures on natural resources, ecosystems and biodiversity. Mathematical modeling has long played an important role in understanding environmental systems and predicting outcomes of future impacts, but until recently, most environmental modeling has rarely considered real-world spatial heterogeneity. Recent years have seen exciting advances in the integration of GIS with mathematical modeling allowing analysis of environmental change over space and time. This course will cover examples from several disciplines, including geomorphology, hydrology, atmospheric science and landscape ecology. In each domain, we will discuss the common modeling frameworks, GIS data sources, and visualization of modeling results. Topics: 1. GIS and environmental modeling - types of models, verification and validation 2. GIS data consideration - object vs. field view, scale and generalization, choosing a data model (vector, raster), data model conversions 3. Digital terrain analysis - DEM data, slope gradient, slope aspect, landform curvature, 3D visualization 4. Watershed systems - surface hydrology modeling, topographic moisture index, solar radiation modeling, soil erosion modeling 5. Weather and climate system - rainfall modelling using regression, ozone modeling using spatial interpolation 6. Landscape ecology - habitat suitability modeling, cost-path analysis of animal movement, land use-biodiversity relationships using spatial statistics
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Laboratory Work
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Learning outcomes
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This course will cover a cross-section of advancements made on integrating GIS with environmental modeling. Through lectures, assigned readings and laboratory exercises, the students will learn about fundamental modeling concepts but also gain "hands on" experience with GIS software. The objective of this course is more than learning GIS, but rather to become a strong spatial thinker with knowledge of how GIScience can be used to solve real-world environmental problems.
Understand basic concepts of environmental modelling Apply GIS software and modelling tools Understand how GIS can solve real-world environmental problems
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Prerequisites
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Basic knowledge of GIS and its concepts is helpful.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Written exam, Analysis of Activities ( Technical works)
The course concludes with a written test but the main portion of the grade will be determined by lab assignments and an independent research project.
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Recommended literature
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Paul A. Longley, Michael Batty. (1997). Spatial Analysis: Modelling in a GIS Environment.
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Paul Bolstad. (2019). GIS Fundamentals: A First Text on Geographic Information Systems.
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