Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
A GIS Raster Model for Assessing
the Environmental Quality of Spain
Focused on SEA and Infrastructure
Planning Procedures (LATINO Model)
Luis G. García-Montero, Santiago Mancebo Quintana, Miguel A. Casermeiro,
Isaabel Otero Pastor, and Abdrés Monzón de Cáceres
Introduction
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) research has made little progress in
developing analytical methodologies to resolve technical problems and to incorpo-
rate new findings into the landscape planning process. Therefore, the complex and
interdisciplinary nature of environmental problems requires the development of a new
class of GIS, integrating mathematical models, databases and expert knowledge
based on conceptual models [1-3] .
Screening is defined by the European Commission as 'the process by which a
decision is taken on whether or not SEA is required for a particular programme or
plan'. Screening models have been proposed [4, 5] , whose results have been effectively
integrated into the decision-making process of two Spanish infrastructure plans:
PIT 2000-2007 and PEIT 2005-2012 [6, 7] . These screening models are based on
a prior GIS raster model containing an assessment model of environmental quality
for the whole of a country, which classifies the Spanish territory.
The objective of the present work is to show the possibilities of this GIS model
for assessing the value of the natural environment of a territory, for use in extensive
geographic areas, and focusing on SEA and planning of infrastructure plans. We have
selected as the main criteria 'the preservation of territorial environment quality'.
This aims to 'conserve and improve the quality of the environment… based on the
precautionary principle' (Articles 6 and 174 of the EU Treaty), and proposes 'the
integration of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into the various plans
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