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Biological Database Assessment and Preliminary Biological Resources Constraints Map
Client: County of San Luis Obispo
Location: San Luis Obispo County, California
LSA conducted an analysis of the County of San Luis Obispo's Geographic Information System (GIS) biological database system. In addition to that effort, LSA researched other biological data sources that were available for inclusion to the County's database system. Once the existing system was analyzed, the new sources were incorporated into the database system, and a preliminary biological constraints map was generated. The biological resources constraints map was generated using a modeling program within ARCGIS, but included complex, unique code and methodology for ranking of the large amount of varied data. The purpose of the project is to aid future planning and conservation efforts conducted by the County.
In looking at over 60 different data layers, each with its own rank and weight and topology, LSA generated a composite
constraints map showing general biological sensitivity throughout the County of San Luis Obispo:
ModelBuilder in ArcGIS was used to create the overall constraint model. The model itself utilized
a series of ArcGIS tools, Python scripts, and VBScripts to handle the point, line, and polygon
datasets that were analyzed. Each data layer was assigned to one of five overall categories. The
categories were then summarized and modeled to generate one single representative data layer. As
assumptions changed, the model was rerun with new ranks and weights assigned to each of the data
layers:
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