Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Mapping in Semi-Urban and Rural Landscapes: A GIS-Based Approach to Environmental and Ecological Assessment

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted from telecommunication towers have become a growing environmental concern, yet mapping and monitoring remain scarce in many regions, including India. This study establishes a replicable GIS-based protocol for EMF mapping using Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation. A preliminary study was conducted in a semi-urban area to refine field protocols, followed by a main study across three Independent Sampling Areas (ISAs). Field measurements of electric field intensity (E) across four bands (900, 1800, 2100, 2400 MHz) were taken using a spectrum analyser and interpolated in ArcGIS 10.3. Results showed that EMF intensities across all ISAs were well below national and international safety thresholds for human exposure but overlapped with biologically relevant ranges reported for insects, birds, and plants. The study underscores the need for standardized EMF mapping protocols and highlights the ecological importance of low-intensity, long-term EMF exposure. EMF mapping emerges as a critical tool for environmental monitoring and policy development.