Spatial estimation of environmental variables has been regarded as an important preliminary procedure for decision-making. A minimum variance criterion, which has often been adopted in traditional kriging algorithms, does not always guarantee the optimal estimates for subsequent decision-making processes. In this paper, a geostatistical framework is illustrated that consists of uncertainty modeling via stochastic simulation and risk modeling based on loss functions for the selection of optimal estimates. Loss functions that quantify the impact of choosing any estimate different from the unknown true value are linked to geostatistical simulation. A hybrid loss function is especially presented to account for the different impact of over- and underestimation of different land-use types. The loss function-specific estimates that minimize the expected loss are chosen as optimal estimates. The applicability of the geostatistical framework is demonstrated and discussed through a case study of copper mapping.

• Park, No-Wook(Department of Geoinformatic Engineering, Inha University)