Overview
Over the recent years, ICARDA has developed the conceptual framework of the Options-by-Context that provides spatially explicit contextual information on SLM practices. The conceptual high-level diagram below indicates the relationships between Options-by-Context approach through the relevance, effectiveness and stress/potential links.
Figure 1. Options-by-context conceptual framework
The main “Context” and “Options” under “Systems Transition” is indicated on the flowchart below
The Web-based GIS SLM Options-by-Context: Key functions
Based on these principles the following high-level representation of the functionality is designed to be adopted by the WebGIS.
Figure 3 – High-Level Options-by-Context representation
2.2 Main Functionality
In addition to the normal display, search, pan, zoom, navigate, download, login, register, feedback, help buttons the following functionality is designed
A-1 Map areas vs contextual criteria (defined by SES-TYPE and user defined query)
A-2 List of Options vs. contextual criteria (defined by SES-TYPE and user defined query)
A-3 Stats (Mean, Max, Min, STD, Range, Sum, Weighted Average)
B-1 Map of degraded / improved area vs contextual criteria
B-2 Stats Area of Degraded/Improved areas vs contextual criteria
B-3 Stats Number of people (male/female, urban, rural) affected
C-1 List of successful working stories vs contextual criteria (Through MEL)
C-2 List of research / management gaps (Through MEL)
C-3 List of references to documents (Through MEL)
2.3 Core functions
- Select by Region of Interest => drill-down GAUL (select Continent, Region, Country, District, Province) or select by click (point), or select by polygon, or select by window (box)
- Select by attribute (For each of the layers on the context database) user can select only few layers, or select all, or select none, enable option to select by value on any of the options for example Layer 1 >= A AND Layer 2 < B as well as the SYS-TYPE. The results are exported, downloaded, The download file includes data, metadata, CSV, TXT, JPEG, PDF
- Select SLM Options (this is initially a point shapefile with several fields but it can be created to a raster database) we can use point-ID to identify each location and have a number of attributes associated to the location. The unique list of attributes will be presented to the user in a drill-down menu where the user selects the proper attributes. Next the user finds attributes where SES-TYPE value is the same and a list of ranked attributes based on the highest value (count) are returned to the user and they can be exported
- Add Region of Interest Polygon This is used to add user defined polygon region of interest (ROI), extract all the selected rasters for the ROI, get the statistics for the ROI, download the selected rasters for the ROI
- Add Region of Interest Box This is used to add user defined box region of interest (ROI), extract all the selected rasters for the ROI, get the statistics for the ROI, download the selected rasters for the ROI
- Add Region of Interest Point This is used to add user defined box 10 by 10 km box around the user defined point region of interest (ROI), extract all the selected rasters for the ROI, get the statistics for the ROI, download the selected rasters for the ROI
- Filter Raster layers this function will display an interactive window where the user can select the raster layers that he wants to apply filters. The minimum and maximum values for each raster layer will be displayed and the user can drag them as per user-defined criteria to filter out pixels and run spatial overlay on multiple layers. The output will be a raster layer as per the user-defined criteria. The statistics are displayed on the table and the output raster can be exported
- Show-Hide SLM This function will display or hide SLM polygons
- Zoom in / Zoom out These functions are used to zoom in or zoom out center of the map window
- Show base layers The user can select the preferred base layer
- Show / Hide selected raster’s The user can turn on / off rasters visibility
- Apply / Reset These buttons are used to run the query on the selected variables or reset it
2.3 WebGIS Application Users Guide
The WebGIS application interface is designed based on the user requirements. It is a web-based application and it has a number of components to ensure interaction with the user. The User Interface has the title bar with the home button, which can be use at any stage for the user to go to the initial page. The Option-by-Context button shows information about the WebGIS content and purpose and the help menu provides quick access to user manuals including this document. On the top right menu it is displayed the user name, eventual picture or photo if available, the maximize button and the language bar. For now the interface is implemented in English language only but it can be implemented at any languages of choice. On the left site is the data selection, navigation, and filtering panel. It has a number of tools to navigate to the area of interest by drill-down from country to province to district level. The user can select themes and subthemes and click apply button to apply the selection. The menu can be collapsed using the arrow button below the Apply button. The mapping interface has the zoom in and zoom out buttons on the top left and the layer control on the top right. The bottom part of the interface is allocated for tabular information. The Value by Location displays the values for each pixel, the summary statistics displays aggregated information related to the user defined area of interest and the Options by Context table displays the options ranked by frequency.
Inputs
Main Functionality
In addition to the normal display, search, pan, zoom, navigate, download, login, register, feedback, help buttons the following functionality is designed
A-1 Map areas vs contextual criteria (defined by SES-TYPE and user defined query)
A-2 List of Options vs. contextual criteria (defined by SES-TYPE and user defined query)
A-3 Stats (Mean, Max, Min, STD, Range, Sum, Weighted Average)
B-1 Map of degraded / improved area vs contextual criteria
B-2 Stats Area of Degraded/Improved areas vs contextual criteria
B-3 Stats Number of people (male/female, urban, rural) affected
C-1 List of successful working stories vs contextual criteria (Through MEL)
C-2 List of research / management gaps (Through MEL)
C-3 List of references to documents (Through MEL)
2.3 Core functions
- Select by Region of Interest => drill-down GAUL (select Continent, Region, Country, District, Province) or select by click (point), or select by polygon, or select by window (box)
- Select by attribute (For each of the layers on the context database) user can select only few layers, or select all, or select none, enable option to select by value on any of the options for example Layer 1 >= A AND Layer 2 < B as well as the SYS-TYPE. The results are exported, downloaded, The download file includes data, metadata, CSV, TXT, JPEG, PDF
- Select SLM Options (this is initially a point shapefile with several fields but it can be created to a raster database) we can use point-ID to identify each location and have a number of attributes associated to the location. The unique list of attributes will be presented to the user in a drill-down menu where the user selects the proper attributes. Next the user finds attributes where SES-TYPE value is the same and a list of ranked attributes based on the highest value (count) are returned to the user and they can be exported
- Add Region of Interest Polygon This is used to add user defined polygon region of interest (ROI), extract all the selected rasters for the ROI, get the statistics for the ROI, download the selected rasters for the ROI
- Add Region of Interest Box This is used to add user defined box region of interest (ROI), extract all the selected rasters for the ROI, get the statistics for the ROI, download the selected rasters for the ROI
- Add Region of Interest Point This is used to add user defined box 10 by 10 km box around the user defined point region of interest (ROI), extract all the selected rasters for the ROI, get the statistics for the ROI, download the selected rasters for the ROI
- Filter Raster layers this function will display an interactive window where the user can select the raster layers that he wants to apply filters. The minimum and maximum values for each raster layer will be displayed and the user can drag them as per user-defined criteria to filter out pixels and run spatial overlay on multiple layers. The output will be a raster layer as per the user-defined criteria. The statistics are displayed on the table and the output raster can be exported
- Show-Hide SLM This function will display or hide SLM polygons
- Zoom in / Zoom out These functions are used to zoom in or zoom out center of the map window
- Show base layers The user can select the preferred base layer
- Show / Hide selected raster’s The user can turn on / off rasters visibility
- Apply / Reset These buttons are used to run the query on the selected variables or reset it
This is how to explain how the SLM approved are shown: this the user guide for the WEB GIS tool.
You check section 2.3 in the user guide as a start.
Figure 4 - Main environment of the application
Outputs
The Web-based GIS SLM Options-by-Context: Key functions
Based on these principles the following high-level representation of the functionality is designed to be adopted by the WebGIS.
Figure 3 – High-Level Options-by-Context representation
2.3.1 Navigation Menu
The navigation menu enables to navigate and browse through the Raster database based on the theme/subtheme structure.
Figure 5 - Main menu of the application
The user can see the following sections in the main menu of the application.
- Section 1: In section 1 of the application, you can see the Filter options – Drill-down by Gaul (Country, Region, Continent, & District).
- Section 2: In section 2 of the application, there are some controls – tools allowing you to move around the map with the use of zoom in, zoom extent, zoom out, pan functions etc.
- Section 3: In section 3 of the application, you can see the display of geographic features of the raster in the form of map.
- Section 4: In section 4 of the application, you can see the output result for Value by Location, Summary Statistics, and Options by Context.
- Section 5: In section 5 of the application, you can see the report download.
2.3.2 Section 1: Select By (GAUL)
Select by Region of Interest – Drill-down GAUL (Continent, Region, Country, Disctrict, Province).
- Administrative Unit
- By Theme
- By Sub-Theme
Administrative Unit
By Theme
By Sub-Theme
Datasets
2.3.3 Section 2: Map Toolbars
Map navigation
- Zoom In
- Zoom Extent
- Zoom Out
Select by Region of Interest (Map)
- Select by Polygon
- Select by Window
- Select by Location
SLM
- Show/Hide SLM
Others
- Filter
- Show Options by Context
2.3.4 Section 3: Map
Mapping interface
2.3.4 Section 4: Output Window – Value by Location, Summary Statistics, Options by Context
- Value by Location
This table displays the values for each pixel.
- Summary Statistics
This table displays aggregated information related to the user defined area of interest.
- Percentage of Pixel by Class
This table displays the options ranked by frequency.
2.3.5 Section 5: Report Download
The statistics for the ROI and the selected rasters for the ROI are available for download by clicking the download icon.
2.3.6 Using the WebGIS Application
The Options-by-Context WebGIS application is designed for managers, scientists and staff in projects and programs and it extends MEL capabilities by using spatially explicit data and information. It provides the end users with a powerful suite of Web-based GIS analytical, mapping and reporting capabilities as well as performs large calculates and aggregations of data effectively and efficiently. It allows application users to identify resources, partnerships and perform geographic targeting. The system consists of several modules, each module completing a specific task.
The WebGIS is based on the conceptual framework of the Options-by-Context and provides a number of tools and functionality to the end users to conduct analysis, display maps, extract and filter data, report on the most relevant options by contextual for user defined area of interest, download data and metadata and display SLM practices. The database is designed in three main parts including context: Multi-dimensional Drivers, Land System Properties, outcomes and impacts: natural resources restoration, sustainable intensification and climate-smart practices, livelihood development and provides through interaction with MEL the options portfolio: technical options, land, water, breeds, design and institutional options.
The WebGIS is design to facilitate the user interaction and query efficiently. There is a number of tools such as drill-down selection through the administrative units layer, selection of the main themes (Options and Outcomes/Impacts) through the cascading selection functionality, selection of sub-themes which allows the end user to select the layers of interest, or select all layers or clear selection. This wizard based use case enables the user to ask a number of questions such as select the sub-themes on the administrative unit level of interest interactively. Within few clicks, the user narrows the area of interest for the indicators needed in his query focuses from global to national, sub-national level.
A number of tools such as user defined polygon, box or point are available to the user to narrow down his selection even further enabling the user to focus exactly to the area of interest other than administrative units level. The user can benefit from very high-resolution baseline imagery on the background to focus on local level. This functionality provides unprecedented flexibility on managing, analysing, mapping, aggregation and reporting on any user defined area. The user can apply further filters to run queries such as select areas where precipitation is more than [value a] and slope from [value b] to [value c] and extract the newly created raster layer by running queries online without the need of having access to GIS software for desktop.
The value by location table provides the pixel value and pixel units for every single pixel for all user selected raster layers making it a truly interactive tool for analysis. In addition, the summary table provides aggregated values and statistical information for the user defined area of interest. The Options by Context table provides the most suitable options ranked by frequency for each user-defined area when user presses the Similarity button. The user asks the system to find all the options for each user-defined region of interest that have similar practices under similar context. This is one of the most powerful functions of the WebGIS and unique in its nature as the user practically gets the options applicable to the selected location based on SLM practices at global level. This function makes the best use of global SLM practices and reports them at local level. The radar diagram shows the distribution of such practices and adds for insight to the data.
The user can download the selected layers and tabular information to use for own purposes.
The step-by-step guideline below provides details and instructions on how to use the application:
Step 1: Administrative Unit Selection
Select a Region of Interest by navigating the Administrative Unit menu tree. You can select by Country, Region, District, and Province. In this example, “Amhara” is selected.
Step 2: Theme Selection
Select a Theme by simply clicking on the Themes selection box. For this example, “Context” is selected.
Step 3: Sub-Theme Selection
Once the theme is selected, the corresponding sub-themes are available from the selection list. In this example, “Drivers” is selected.
Step 4: Dataset Selection
Once the Sub-Theme is selected, the corresponding datasets are available from the checkbox selection list. User’s can select combination of datasets from different Themes and Sub-Themes.
In this example, “ARIDITY” and “PRECIP-TREND” are selected.
Step 4: Apply Filter Selection
Click the Apply button to execute the filter. Clicking the Reset button will clear your selections.
Step 5: Filter Result
After applying the filter, the Map gets updated for the Region of Interest.
The results are displayed in the Summary Statistics table.
The selection by ROI buttons (Polygon, Window, and Location), Filter, and Option by Context are now enabled. User can drill down further by using these tools.
Step 6: Select ROI (Polygon, Window, Location)
In this example, Select Polygon is use to drilldown into Region of Interest.
Select the Polygon in the Map Toolbars. Then, select a point of interest to start drawing the polygon.
Draw the polygon and close the first point to close the shape.
Once the polygon is drawn, the Map will zoom-in to the new ROI.
and Summary Statistics gets updated with the new ROI.
Step 7: Show Options By Context
Click the button “Options by Context” in the Map toolbars. This displays the options ranked by frequency.
Step 8: Show Filter
To filter the selected Rasters by range value. Click the button “Show Filter” in the Map toolbars this will show you the Filter dialog window.
By default, the selected layers are disabled. Clicking the OFF button will enable the slider.
Drag the slider to change the value.
In this example, the selected layers are set to the following range:
kg3_8110: min = 6; max = 11
agric_pop_ind: min = 15; max = 50
Click “Run Query” to execute the filter.
The Map gets updated by applying a dynamic SLD based on the range value.
The Summary Statistics gets updated with a new range value.
Step 9: Report Download
The results of the analysis can be downloaded by clicking the icon download. It is located on the right hand corner of the Map Interface.
The downloaded files are package in zip file.
2.3.7 Validation of user inputs
The WebGIS is an interactive data-driven application by design. The process driven wizards, drill-down menus, option box selection and constrained filter section options, guides the user input. The user input is validated and the user-selected variables are passed to the spatial queries to obtain the results of the analysis. The user interface by design minimizes user entry errors by showing only the available rasters for each sub-theme, setting minimum and maximum values and ensuring that the user has made the relevant selection of options prior to activating the relevant buttons. The outputs of the any user query are hereby limited by the quality of the data and will fully reflect user inputs at all times.