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Many planning tasks can be enhanced or in some cases simplified through the use of spatially presented data
and information using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). However,
in order to be able to use the technique effectively it is important
that the planner defines the criteria and appropriate procedures so
that the planning information he/she wishes to generate is actually
produced through the use of the GIS technique. Defining the information
that should be generated by the GIS is a pre-requisite for effective
use of the instrument in development planning and management.
For example, if the planner wishes to determine areas that are
particularly prone to soil erosion, the factors that are common causes
of soil erosion need to be known. Soil erosion could depend upon the
slope (i.e. the steeper the slope the higher the probability of
erosion). A further cause could also be the intensity of precipitation
(i.e. the higher the precipitation, the higher the probability of
erosion). Further factors could be soil types (i.e. sandy soils may be
more prone to erosion) as well the vegetation cover (i.e. grass cover
tends to be less prone to soil erosion compared to areas covered by
eucalyptus trees). If the information is presented spatially (i.e. on
thematic maps) these maps can be overlayed and the planner is better
able to determine the soil erosion prone areas. While the GIS technique
helps in depicting the final information the planner still has to
decide in advance what factors cause soil erosion and how the
combination of different factors are interrelated with each other.
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