Analysis Limitations
The main limitation of this analysis is the lack of data that covers the GVRD, as well as the lack of data on specific environments of different grape species. The lack of data prevents a precise analysis of grape suitability because there are a lot of factors that had to be abandoned. A few examples of these factors are; soil nutrients, microenvironments, soil organisms, potential for disease, as well as the impact global warming would have on these results. The resulting images are therefore an estimation of suitability and area and could potentially have large margins of error. The lack of data on specific grape species also prevented a precise raster output because some of the data had to be inferred. Grapes are also highly variable within their own species and therefore the values used were simply averages for each species, not precise values. As a result, a wine grape may have the potential to grow in the GVRD but it would not likely produce a very favourable wine and therefore starting a vineyard would not be profitable.
The source data that was found to be useful was also limited by specific constraints. For example, the biogeoclimatic subzones that were provided in the attribute table file for this image was just the average temperature and precitipation levels of each zone and therefore there was some estimation in classifying for grape species. The GVRD can also have highly specific microclimates which could not be considered in this analysis. These factors would also change the values put into the Decision Wizard as more would be understood about the environment if the data used was more directed towards its use in this analysis. To resolve this problem primary data could potentially be used or potentially buying information from private institutions.
A large margin of error was likely produced in the digitizing of the soil texture layer. As this was an important component in the grape species suitability there is likely a loss of precision in the location of suitability and the area. Unfortunately, digitizing a soil texture map was the only route possible as public access to soils in the GVRD is non-existent. It should be noted that while soil texture is important for the roots of grapes it does not take into consideration nutrients, soil processes, soil organisms, or soil structure. These factors could largely affect the final results.
Although there are numerous limitations in this analysis the resulting images provide a reasonable method of understanding which grape species is suitable for the GVRD.