Improving the spatial coherence of nature areas using genetic algorithms
The National Ecological Network in the Netherlands will provide a network of high-quality nature areas to improve its spatial coherence. To realize this goal in the period 1990-2018 over 1,500 square kilometers of new nature will be acquired and natural features will be enhanced.
In densely populated countries like the Netherlands free space is scarce and therefore the land prices are very high. It is thus very important that only those areas that have high potential value to improve the spatial coherence or increase the quality will be acquired. In this study we simplified the problem by using the sum of boundary lengths of all nature areas as a measure for spatial coherence. While minimising this boundary length, influence from polluting sources decreases and areas become less fragmentated. In terms of boudary length we found that the current plans in acquiring areas could be improved significantly.
Authors
Specifications
- Publication title
- Improving the spatial coherence of nature areas using genetic algorithms
- Publication date
- 28 June 2007
- Publication type
- Publication
- Magazine
- Environ Planning B: Planning & Design 2007; 34(2):369-78
- Product number
- 92024