GIS AND CONSERVATION

GIS AND CONSERVATION

 Conservation biologists have come to recognize the importance of GIS in their domain. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has become a most effective tool in the field of landscape ecology.  With the increase in available landscape data from satellite imagery and public agencies (like NRSC), GIS has established a niche in the field of biodiversity conservation for spatial analyses. Some important topics where the tool finds application are below:

Gap Analysis

An area where GIS found early application is gap analysis.  Gap Analysis is the process of mapping out sensitive species habitats and overlaying the protected and undisturbed areas of habitat. This allows conservation biologists to visualize areas of sensitive species that are currently unprotected.

GIS and Corridor Mapping

Over the recent years, GIS has found great use in mapping of corridors. These corridors when identified are restored for the effective migration of different terrestrial species. Corridors connect habitats cut off due to anthropogenic factors (like agriculture, construction of roads etc.). Corridor restoration is important for species having large home range in order to reduce human-wildlife conflict.

Land cover- Land use Mapping

Another key area where GIS is gaining wide application is the mapping of land use-land cover changes. Due to various human induced factors landscape structure has been constantly changing for the worse so far as wildlife conservation is concerned. The availability of satellite images for a landscape enables one to monitor the spatio-temporal changes and thus future projection is made. Bassed on these future projections, steps are taken by decision makers.