Summing area of polygons within vector layer within zone using QGIS

Question

I have one vector layer with multiple polygons (purple). I also have a number of other vector layers which are catchment zones (I also have a layer where these catchments are merged).

Is there any way I can sum/calculate the areas of the purple polygons within each of the individual catchment zones?

I need this to work out a percentage of the area taken up by the purple polygons within each catchment.

Answer 1

In QGIS I can suggest using a "Virtual Layer" through Layer > Add Layer > Add/Edit Virtual Layer....

Let's assume there are ten features in 'multiple_polygons' (yellow), and three in 'catchment_zones' (grey) accordingly, see image below.

With the following Query, it is possible to achieve the result

SELECT
    c.id,
    c.Name,
    c.geometry,
    ROUND(st_area(c.geometry), 2) AS "catch_area(m*m)",
    ROUND(SUM(st_area(m.geometry)), 2) AS "mult_area(m*m)",
    COUNT(m.geometry) AS "num_mult",
    ROUND(SUM(st_area(m.geometry))/st_area(c.geometry)*100, 2) AS "area_%"
FROM
    "catchment_zones" AS c
JOIN
    "multiple_polygons" AS m
        ON st_intersects(c.geometry, m.geometry)
GROUP BY
    c.id

The output Virtual Layer will maintain the original geometry and some initial attributes including several new, namely "catch_area(mxm)" (in square meters), "mult_area(mxm)" (in square meters), "num_mult" and "area_%".

Answer 2

1. Intersect
2. Dissolve based on catchment ID
3. Create new field and calculate area

Answer 3

Create a new attribute with field calculator. If your layers have the names polygons1 (the catchment zones) and poly2 (your small, purple polygons), then on polygons1 use this expression: array_sum(overlay_contains ('poly2', $area)).

Here, the organge layer is labeled with the expression from above, calculating the sum of the areas of all blue polygons contained inside each of the orange polygons: