SCIMAP

SCIMAP identifies critical source areas (CSAs) of diffuse pollution in catchments by applying a Source-Mobilisation-Pathway-Impact framework to prioritize mitigation of agricultural impacts on freshwater quality.

Key Features:

• Source-Mobilisation-Pathway-Impact Model: Utilizes a conceptual framework that integrates source risk with connected mobilisation and pathway information to pinpoint CSAs and prioritize interventions.
• Multi-Method Integration: Incorporates data from a custom-designed smartphone app, desktop Geographic Information System (GIS) and terrain analysis, and high spatial resolution drone datasets to improve CSA identification.
• Comparative Analysis Capability: Enables comparison between traditional walkover surveys and digital assessment methods to evaluate the strengths and limitations of each approach.
• Spatial and Temporal Resolution Considerations: Accounts for variation in temporal and spatial resolution across methods, including static land cover information and capture of small-scale features (e.g., gateways).
• Cost-Effectiveness Across Scales: Considers relative costs and output resolutions of different methods to support application across varying catchment scales.

Scientific Applications:

• Mapping diffuse pollution risk: Produces spatial maps of diffuse pollution risk with a focus on agricultural sources affecting freshwater quality.
• Identifying CSAs for mitigation prioritization: Pinpoints locations where source, mobilisation, pathway, and impact converge to target mitigation measures.
• Catchment-scale planning and conservation: Informs ecological conservation and strategic planning for pollution mitigation across different spatial scales within catchments.

Methodology:

Integrates multiple data sources and applies desktop GIS and terrain analysis to process high-resolution datasets (including drone-derived data) using the Source-Mobilisation-Pathway-Impact framework and supports comparative analyses with walkover surveys.