**3. Capabilities of using GIS in landscape planning**

Information technologies especially GIS can help to improve the landscape planning process and to capture the results in existing information systems for future use or as part of environmental information or decision support systems (Arnold et al., 2005; Pietsch & Buhmann, 1999; Blaschke, 1997; Lang & Blaschke, 2007; Gontier et al., 2007) (see Fig. 4).

GIS can be used in the different working steps of the landscape planning process. At the beginning data capturing in all planning tasks is necessary. This can be done by fieldwork, using existing thematic datasets (e.g. via Web Services) or by converting from existing databases or other monitoring systems (e.g. remote sensing). Checking the data quality is one of the most important tasks in the first step, to appreciate the necessity of data conversion, field work or usability of the existing material. After analyzing the existing situation for the defined scope the evaluation of potential of development, environmental functions, ecosystem services, scenic qualities, conflicts, previous and future impacts must

GIS in Landscape Planning 63

planning process. They are used e.g. to create tree cadastre (Pietsch, 2007; Brandt, 2007; GALK-DST, 2006), to collect species presence datasets (Dangermond, 2009), to reduce time and costs capturing land use types or habitats and for monitoring (e.g. checking mitigation measures). Depending on the hardware capacity and performance and the receiver accuracy improvements in data collections are possible. Using UMTS or other online services datasets might be send to a server (e.g. in the office) on the fly without necessary active copying or basic datasets like aerial images, top maps, thematic layers (e.g. streets) or the datasets that have to be checked can be received via Web Services (e.g. WMS, WFS) to be used online in the field. Digital cameras with a GNNS module facilitate documenting the investigation area. Images with coordinates are stored and some cameras and applications are able to analyze the viewing direction automatically. Using techniques like that enable the planner to create automatically documentations based on the existing images to present them e.g. online via Google Earth or to

In the landscape planning process landscape functions like regulation, carrier, production and information functions must be analyzed (Groot, 1992; Pietsch & Buhmann, 1999; Jessel & Tobias, 2002; von Haaren, 2004; Lang & Blaschke, 2007). For nature conservation the regulation function is the most relevant (Weiers et al., 2004). Therefore landscape ecology defined as a problem-oriented science can provide methods for the different planning steps. But to optimize the knowledge-transfer between landscape ecology and spatial planning landscape ecology must co-evolve (Opdam et al., 2002). "In decision-making on future landscapes, landscape planners, landscape managers and politicians are involved in a

use them in the planning process (e.g. visualization, sketches, participation).

cycling process" (Opdam et al., 2002) (see Fig. 5)

Fig. 5. Planning cycle (adapted from Harms et al., 1993)

**3.2 Analyzing** 

be evaluated. Methods and tools analyzing datasets in different formats (raster and vector) or scales like spatial (resolution, grain, 2D, 3D) and temporal (historic, present, future conditions) are available. Some of them can be used for different purposes (e.g. evaluation, scenario and planning objectives) or they are only comfortable for a specific level or topic. Afterwards in landscape planning (e.g. local level) a guided vision or alternative futures should be planned and discussed (BfN, 2002; von Haaren, 2004). GIS can help to improve the participation process using visualization and multimedia techniques and Web GIS functionality. After the discussion process measurements should be planned and implemented in different ways. Monitoring of the landscape transformation must be done to check if it is really doing what it is expected to do (Opdam et al., 2002). Information management and a basic standardization are necessary to make sure that the life cycle works and in all work steps the right information in the right quality is available (Heins & Pietsch, 2010; Schauerte-Lücke, 2008; Opdam et al., 2002).

Fig. 4. Interaction of modern technologies in landscape planning (von Haaren, 2004)

#### **3.1 Data capturing**

Nowadays mobile devices are used for data capturing using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) (e.g. GPS, GLONASS) in a standardized and formalized way (Dangermond, 2009; Brandt, 2007) to reduce effort in data conversion to implement and use the results in the

be evaluated. Methods and tools analyzing datasets in different formats (raster and vector) or scales like spatial (resolution, grain, 2D, 3D) and temporal (historic, present, future conditions) are available. Some of them can be used for different purposes (e.g. evaluation, scenario and planning objectives) or they are only comfortable for a specific level or topic. Afterwards in landscape planning (e.g. local level) a guided vision or alternative futures should be planned and discussed (BfN, 2002; von Haaren, 2004). GIS can help to improve the participation process using visualization and multimedia techniques and Web GIS functionality. After the discussion process measurements should be planned and implemented in different ways. Monitoring of the landscape transformation must be done to check if it is really doing what it is expected to do (Opdam et al., 2002). Information management and a basic standardization are necessary to make sure that the life cycle works and in all work steps the right information in the right quality is available (Heins &

Fig. 4. Interaction of modern technologies in landscape planning (von Haaren, 2004)

Nowadays mobile devices are used for data capturing using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) (e.g. GPS, GLONASS) in a standardized and formalized way (Dangermond, 2009; Brandt, 2007) to reduce effort in data conversion to implement and use the results in the

**3.1 Data capturing** 

Pietsch, 2010; Schauerte-Lücke, 2008; Opdam et al., 2002).

planning process. They are used e.g. to create tree cadastre (Pietsch, 2007; Brandt, 2007; GALK-DST, 2006), to collect species presence datasets (Dangermond, 2009), to reduce time and costs capturing land use types or habitats and for monitoring (e.g. checking mitigation measures). Depending on the hardware capacity and performance and the receiver accuracy improvements in data collections are possible. Using UMTS or other online services datasets might be send to a server (e.g. in the office) on the fly without necessary active copying or basic datasets like aerial images, top maps, thematic layers (e.g. streets) or the datasets that have to be checked can be received via Web Services (e.g. WMS, WFS) to be used online in the field. Digital cameras with a GNNS module facilitate documenting the investigation area. Images with coordinates are stored and some cameras and applications are able to analyze the viewing direction automatically. Using techniques like that enable the planner to create automatically documentations based on the existing images to present them e.g. online via Google Earth or to use them in the planning process (e.g. visualization, sketches, participation).
