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Geospatial Model as Strategy to Prevent Forest Fires: A Case Study
Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Victoria de Durango, México
Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Victoria de Durango, México
Instituto de Silvicultura e Industria de la Madera, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Victoria de Durango, México
Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Victoria de Durango, México
- 1 Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Victoria de Durango, México
- 2 Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Victoria de Durango, México
- 3 Instituto de Silvicultura e Industria de la Madera, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Victoria de Durango, México
- 4 Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED), Victoria de Durango, México
Journal of Environmental Protection·Volume 03 (2012)·Pages 1034–1038·Published 24 September 2012·DOI10.4236/jep.2012.39120
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Abstract
The forests of the State of Durango have been severely affected by fires in recent years. Early detection of fires through watchtowers is essential. In this work a geospatial model was generated to optimize strategic visualization points, using a GIS environment. Analysis of the area of visibility was developed by integrating a digital model of elevation and a plant cover map. The resulting distribution generates more than 50% coverage of the studied area, in points that were not always the highest. It was concluded that this strategy would permit to increase the efficiency, mainly favoring the communities of pine, whose economic importance would justify the required investment.
KeywordsViewshed AnalysisWatchtowersForest Fires
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