Introduction
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become a pivotal tool in environmental auditing, offering capabilities for data collection, analysis, and visualization. This synthesis explores the various applications and benefits of GIS in environmental auditing, drawing insights from multiple research studies.
Key Insights
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Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness:
- GIS combined with virtual auditing methods, such as Google Street View Auditing (GSVA), can optimize sampling, improve measurement validity, and reduce financial and time burdens.
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Comprehensive Environmental Monitoring:
- GIS supports the creation of primary assessment cartographic models for environmental monitoring, ensuring systematic, multilevel, and consistent observations.
- GIS can handle large datasets and integrate multiple layers of information, making it highly functional for geo-environmental assessments and urban land-use planning .
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Risk Assessment and Decision Support:
- GIS is instrumental in environmental risk assessment, particularly in processing spatial data to assess contamination risks and support decision-making through interactive models.
- Field-based GIS applications facilitate environmental characterization, modeling, and decision support, especially in remote areas.
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Advanced Data Handling:
- GIS can manage four-dimensional (4-D) geo-referenced data, enhancing the ability to simulate environmental processes over time and space.
- The integration of GIS with other technologies, such as remote sensing, enhances the assessment of environmental risks and the monitoring of various environmental parameters.
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Applications in Environmental Management:
- GIS is widely used in environmental management for land, water, air quality, and waste management, supporting decision-making and planning.
- Emerging technologies like Big Data, IoT, and Cloud Computing, when combined with GIS, can improve the reliability of audit evidence and enhance auditing conclusions.
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Pollution Monitoring:
- GIS aids in the survey and monitoring of pollution by linking complex mathematical models to GIS databases, which enhances the spatial analysis and identification of pollution sources.
Conclusion
GIS is a versatile and powerful tool in environmental auditing, offering significant benefits in terms of efficiency, comprehensive monitoring, risk assessment, and advanced data handling. Its integration with emerging technologies further enhances its capabilities, making it indispensable for modern environmental management and auditing practices.