GIS Applications in Environmental Decision-Making

• Basic principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their role in environmental analysis and decision-making.
• Main categories of geospatial data, including vector, raster and tabular data, and how they are used in GIS workflows.
• National, European and international geospatial data sources and platforms relevant to Cyprus, environmental planning and spatial decision-making.
• Key concepts such as spatial accuracy, resolution, scale, coordinate reference systems and and data suitability for environmental analysis.
• Importance of GIS in modelling environmental phenomena, supporting technical studies and enabling evidence-based decision-making.

• Use of QGIS as a practical tool for organising, viewing, managing and analysing geospatial data.
• Import, organisation and integration of data from different sources, including vector data, raster data, tabular data, web services and open geospatial data sources.
• Georeferencing of scanned maps or other non-spatial material for use in a GIS environment.
• Basic principles of metadata, data quality, reliability, scale, update status and limitations of use.
• Brief introduction to drone-derived geospatial data as a supporting source of high-resolution information for environmental mapping and documentation.
• The drone-related content is presented as a GIS data workflow, not as drone pilot training or flight certification.

• Key spatial analysis concepts and tools used in environmental applications.
• Use of spatial relationships, buffer zones, overlay analysis and spatial queries to support environmental analysis.
• Introduction to multi-criteria decision analysis and suitability analysis for environmental and spatial planning scenarios.
• Indicative applications such as renewable energy or infrastructure siting, assessment of environmental pressures, risk mapping and comparison of alternative planning scenarios.
• Emphasis on selecting appropriate criteria, documenting assumptions and interpreting results responsibly.

• Practical examples of how GIS supports environmental decision-making in professional contexts.
• Applications related to risk identification, land use, project siting, vulnerability analysis, pollution monitoring, natural resource management and environmental assessment.
• Use of GIS outputs to support Environmental Impact Assessments, technical reports, planning processes and communication with stakeholders.
• Use of spatial evidence to compare alternatives, identify sensitive areas and highlight potential land-use or environmental conflicts.
• Emphasis on transparent, evidence-based and well-documented decision-making.

• Creation of thematic maps, professional map layouts, concise reports and decision-support outputs.
• Selection of appropriate symbols, colour schemes, classification methods, legends, titles, scale information and data-source references.
• Use of QGIS layout tools to prepare clear cartographic outputs for technical studies, reports and presentations.
• Emphasis on producing maps and outputs that answer a specific environmental question clearly and responsibly.

• Practical application through an integrated Cyprus-based environmental case study.
- Indicative case studies may include preliminary site selection for a renewable energy project, flood-risk analysis, mapping of environmental pressures or assessment of vulnerability to climate-related risks.
- Application of the main stages of a GIS-based decision-support workflow: defining the environmental question, selecting and reviewing data, preparing layers, applying spatial analysis, visualising results and preparing a short technical explanation.
- Use of realistic geospatial data and environmental criteria relevant to Cyprus.
- Production of a thematic map and a brief decision-support note simulating a practical environmental study deliverable.