Using Viewshed Analysis with Landscape Metrics in Seascape Visibility Assessment

Sonmez F., ERDOĞAN M. A.

12th International Conference on the Mediterranean Coastal Environment (MEDCOAST), Varna, Bulgaria, 6 - 10 October 2015, pp.163-169, (Full Text) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • City: Varna
  • Country: Bulgaria
  • Page Numbers: pp.163-169
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Affiliated: No

Abstract

This paper analyses the spatial distribution of seascape visibility in a coastal landscape, with the aid of a set of landscape metrics, the result of a methodological framework for the description, appraisal and assessment of the landscape composition type and optimum seascape visibility distribution. The case study of Erdemli (Mersin) which is a secondary housing based Mediterranean coastal touristic city of Turkey, the buildings are digitized and their heights are determined by field works. Viewshed analysis is computed with the help of remote sensing and GIS to calculate the seascape visibility of the coastal region. At the same time the six landscape configuration metrics of Percentage Land Cover, Edge Density, Contagion, Area Weighted Mean Patch Fractal Dimension, Standard Deviation of Euclidian Nearest Neighbour Distance and Euclidian Mean Nearest Neighbour Distance are calculated for building patches using 250x250 meter grid of region. Grid based interaction between metric and visibility values are examined to find out which metrics configuration generates optimum seascape visibility.