Research Publications
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Publication Open Access CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF SUITABLE SITES FOR RAINWATER HARVESTING IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOR AGRICULTURE USE: A REVIEW STUDY(SLIIT, 2022-02-11) Zubaidi, S; Harris, C; Carnacina, I; Abdellatif, M; AL-Hasani, BIn arid and semi-arid regions, rainwater harvesting represents an important alternate source of water supply around the globe. The middle east is an integrally dry zone and due to climate change, it has experienced a severe drought for the last decade that made the situation worse. Many countries are suffering from awful water crises due to increasing water demand for agriculture and rapid urbanization. Therefore, unconventional water supply resources practices such as using rainwater harvesting for agricultural purposes can be possibly used to tackle water scarcity. Numerous researchers have established different criteria and methods to identify suitable sites selection techniques for rainwater harvesting (RWH). The main objective of this study was to determine the most commonly effective methods and techniques that have been practiced in the middle-east region to summarize the best methods for rainwater harvesting site selection. These effective common methods of multi-criteria analysis (MCA) were discussed accordingly in this review paper and based on the previous studies the best applicable method was the integration between (MCA) method and the GIS technique. The study employed a method of gathering and recording the main criteria and techniques which were established in the last thirty years. It compared and categorized the main methodologies from previous studies and practices from international organizations and scientific research and identified the most common characteristics and sets of criteria suitable for use in arid and semi-arid regions. The techniques were diverse based on biophysical criteria to methods including socio-economic criteria, precisely in the last two decades. The most effective and significant criteria for suitable site selection of RWH in the arid and semi-arid regions found are: land use/land cover, slope, type of soil, rainfall intensity, streams distant and the cost. The success of RWH selection sites tended to increase when these criteria are measured and based on these criteria.Publication Embargo Evaluation of the Scenic Beauty of the Existing Landscape of Southern Expressway and Suggestions to Improve the Landscape Using GIS and Remote Sensing(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences,SLIIT, 2021-09-25) Marasinghe, M.D.U; Gunawardena, A. R; Senevirathne, S. M. P; Dilrukshi, R. P. W. A; Hettiarachci, M. H. S. M; Dissanayaka, D. M. N. S; Attanayake, U; Beneragama, C. KThe occurrence of landslides, frequent accidents and negative impacts on environmentally sensitive areas are some of the issues associated with the Southern Expressway in Sri Lanka. Most of these issues could be resolved through proper landscape designing along the highway. This study was intended to assess the existing landscape and land cover/use types of the Southern Expressway using GIS and remote sensing. Study area boundary of 1 km buffer zone along the expressway was demarcated and existing land cover/ use types and environmental sensitive areas were identified. Using “Landsat 8 imageries”, a map was developed based on Normal Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) values within the buffer zone. Landscape models were developed and a visual preference survey was conducted using a focus group of 30 people. Results revealed that the expressway is surrounded by environmentally sensitive areas, archaeological reserves, protected ancient monuments, landslide prone areas, hydrological areas, forest and wild life reserves. The greenness varied throughout the buffer zone. The visual preference survey revealed that the respondents preferred more natural landscape designs which fully or partially cover the residential areas and natural designs that fully screen the religious areas along the highway. Respondents mostly preferred to have landscape designs which express the importance of the area with clear interpretative labelling. Visual preference survey suggests that there is a need of area-specific landscape designs for the Southern Expressway and the importance of human perception-based methods in designing landscape.