1. Background & Purpose: 
2. Workflow:
   1. Factor weights:
3. Final Map 
4. Quick Facts

Background & Purpose: 

The following map and analysis identify approximately 700 hectares of area in southern Okanagan as ideal habitats for Spiranthes diluvialis. Two multi-criteria models, one based on AHP-identified factor weight and the other based on equal factor weights, highlight potential habitats according to species’ preference for low-slope, mid-high elevation areas with a southern aspect. Overall, the analysis aims to guide the field trip of BC EnviroConsultants’ botonist and provide technical methodologies to her final report to Environment Canada. 

Workflow:

1. Creating Digital Terrain Models (a TIN and a DEM) 

2. Identifying potential habitat for Spiranthes diluvialis

• Create the slope and aspect layers from DEM 
• Determine the factor weights using analytical hierarchical approach (AHP)
  
• Creating the MCE model using the Suitability Modeler
  • Factor Transformation 

Factor weights:

analytical hierarchical approach (AHP) was used to identify weights assigned to *Aspect, Slope, Elevation* which impact the suitability for the Orchid differently.

Based on botanist’s research on the ecology of the rare species, factor weights were determined as follows:

1. aspect is significantly (but not very) more important than slope,

2. aspect is slightly (but not very) more important than elevation,

3. slope is equally important as elevation.

Reference: [http://www.123ahp.com/Default.aspx](http://www.123ahp.com/Default.aspx)

Factor	Weight	Transformation Method	Function Type	Note
DEM50	60%	Continuous Functions	Gaussian	Set Mid Point to 900
Slope50	20%	Continuous Functions	MSSmall
Aspect50	20%	Continuous Functions	Gaussian	Set Mid Point to 180

Note: Locate areas of 700 hectares from 10 ‘best’ habitats for orchids 

• Suitability Models Comparison: AHP-identified factor weights vs. Equal factor weights
  • 1: Locations chosen through AHP-identified factor weights MCE model 
  • 2: Locations chosen through Equal factor weights MCE model 
  • 3: Areas chosen in both models 

Final Map 

Quick Facts

• Locations chosen through AHP-identified factor weights MCE model: 242
• Locations chosen through Equal factor weights MCE model: 279
• Areas chosen in both models: 179

Data Source: “Terrain Resource Information Management Program – (TRIM)”, http://hdl.handle.net/11272/10166 BCGOV ILMB Crown Registry and Geographic Base Branch [Distributor] V3 [Version]