RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCES, VOL. 20, ES2003, doi:10.2205/2020ES000707, 2020
Denis Krivoguz
Problem of area's zoning is very important and is one of the main problems of modern geographical science. Our point is to from a modern approach, based on the machine learning methods to provide zoning of any area. Key ideas of this methodology, that any distribution of factors that form any geographical system grouped around some clusters – unique zones that represents specific nature conditions. Formed methodology based on several stages – selection of data and objects for analysis, data normalization, assessment of predisposition of data for clustering, choosing the optimal number of clusters, clustering and validation of results. As an example, we tried to zone a surface layer of the Black Sea. We find that optimal number of unique zones is 3. Also, we find that the key driver of zone forming is a location of the rivers. Thus, we can say, that applying a machine learning approach in area's zoning tasks helps us increasing the quality of nature using and decision-making processes.
Received 19 February 2020; accepted 13 March 2020; published 22 March 2020.
Citation: Krivoguz Denis (2020), Methodology of physiography zoning using machine learning: A case study of the Black Sea, Russ. J. Earth Sci., 20, ES2003, doi:10.2205/2020ES000707.
Copyright 2020 by the Geophysical Center RAS.