ECOGIS-ECOSAD - A METHODOLOGY FOR THE BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WITHIN THE PLANNING PROCESS

The development of an environmental characterisation and assessment sy stem at the topological scale is the aim of this paper. Such a system (Ecological Geographical Information System/Ecological Decision Suppor t System [ECOGIS/ECOSAD]), consists of a geographical decision-support system, including an environmental database and a set of environmenta l-evaluation models. The database is referred to homogeneous spatial u nits of topological dimensions and includes all the available biophysi cal, ecological, and land-use information on those units. The evaluati on system processes this information in order to achieve: assessment o f the natural potential, use aptitude, and environmental sensitivity; assessment of the intensity of the regional landscape processes; asses sment of the resulting land-use suitabilities and environmental risks. Combining this information with the present or the proposed land uses , the system evaluates the resulting local and regional environmental impacts and conflicts, enabling, in this way, the planner or politicia n to balance the environmental losses and benefits of each proposed la nd-use allocation - not only in local, but in regional terms, as well. An experimental case study shows the validity of the system. Future d evelopments of ECOGIS/ECOSAD are also discussed.