Development of a Web-based GIS monitoring and environmental assessment system for the Black Sea: application in the Danube Delta area

Abstract

In this paper, the development of a Web-based GIS system for the monitoring and assessment of the Black Sea is presented. The integrated multilevel system is based on the combination of terrestrial and satellite Earth observation data through the technological assets provided by innovative information tools and facilities. The key component of the system is a unified, easy to update geodatabase including a wide range of appropriately selected environmental parameters. The collection procedure of current and historical data along with the methods employed for their processing in three test areas of the current study are extensively discussed, and special attention is given to the overall design and structure of the developed geodatabase. Furthermore, the information system includes a decision support component (DSC) which allows assessment and effective management of a wide range of heterogeneous data and environmental parameters within an appropriately designed and well-tested methodology. The DSC provides simplified and straightforward results based on a classification procedure, thus contributing to a monitoring system not only for experts but for auxiliary staff as well. The examples of the system's functionality that are presented highlight its usability as well as the assistance that is provided to the decision maker. The given examples emphasize on the Danube Delta area; however, the information layers of the integrated system can be expanded in the future to cover other regions, thus contributing to the development of an environmental monitoring system for the entire Black Sea.

Water Energy Food Nexus in Urbanizing Wetlands: Challenges and Solutions Explored through Choremes and Focus Maps

“…The proposed methodology represents therefore an integrated approach, using satellite images and space analysis technologies, to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities in the Danube Delta. This approach is validated by the work of several researchers as Medinets 2016) , who utilized satellite imagery to monitor changes in coastal ecosystems, demonstrating its effectiveness in environmental monitoring and management, particularly in sensitive areas like the Danube Delta [13][14][15][16].…”

“…The Focus Map of tourist attractions and viewpoints highlights a number of 99 tourist attractions, of which 42 tourist attractions are represented by cultural heritage elements such as tumuli, and another 8 objectives are places of worship and monasteries. In terms of distribution on Administrative Territorial Units (ATU), most tourist attractions are present in: Isaccea (25), Chilia Veche ( 16), Valea Nucarilor (14) and Sulina (13). At the other end, 1 tourist attraction can be found in 10 ATUs (Figure 3).…”

Water Energy Food Nexus in Urbanizing Wetlands: Challenges and Solutions Explored through Choremes and Focus Maps

“…The proposed methodology represents an integrated approach, using satellite images and space analysis technologies to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities in the Danube Delta. This approach was validated by the work of several researchers, such as Medinets et al 2016), who utilized satellite imagery to monitor changes in coastal ecosystems, demonstrating its effectiveness in environmental monitoring and management, particularly in sensitive areas such as the Danube Delta [43][44][45][46].…”

Assessment of River-Sea Interaction in the Danube Nearshore Area (Ukraine) by Bioindicators and Statistical Mapping

“…The dumping area is located at a distance of 8 km from the delta edge, in the final zone. Since 2004, the Institute of marine biology of the NAS of Ukraine organizes environmental monitoring to determine the impact of these manipulations on the ecotone marine-river ecosystem [4,5]. However, there is still a lack of a general description of the ecosystem functioning and understanding of how river-sea interactions influence biological communities.…”