The Use of Geospatial Data to Support Vulnerability Mapping of the Oregon Coast

Master of Science, Geography, Oregon State University, Spring, 2011
Geographic Information Science Certificate

Graduate committee: D. Wright, P. Ruggiero, L. Becker

Kelvin Raiford
Dept of Geosciences, Oregon State Univ
Corvallis, OR 97331-5506
raiford_k-at-yahoo.com or kraiford-at-uncfsu.edu

Abstract.
This project considers the availability of the appropriate geospatial data in support of vulnerability mapping of the Oregon coast. An online experiment, Voicing Climate Concerns, was developed to give community stakeholders, researchers and other interested parties the opportunity to voice their concerns on climate change and their perceived vulnerability to it. The results of the experiment produced a synthesized list of only the most salient of concerns, as well as indicators and units of measurement for data sets that might represent these concerns. A detailed search of actual geospatial data was conducted based on these concerns and summarized in a list of geospatial data websites. The list was then used to develop a database of GIS data sets which were then used in conjunction with a web-based tool called MapChat2. MapChat2 was used as part of an online tool developed at the University of Washington called Deliberative Mapping of Vulnerability (DMV). The geospatial data sets were used as layers in a GIS environment for the creation of maps. Finally, users held interactive chat fora to discuss vulnerable areas of concern, which informed some concluding ideas on how best to locate and use GIS data sets for mapping concerns about climate change.

Download Data Compilation Report (2.3 Mb PDF file)
      Full spreadsheets of indicators (Appendix A) and receptors (Appendix B)
Presentation at Defense (2.2. Mb PDF file)

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