Addressing GIS Technology to tackle Biodiversity loss

We are currently in a time where advanced technology has made seemingly impossible tasks achievable with ease. However, this rapid urbanization led to environmental pollution, causing a severe loss of diverse species it supports. To tackle this significant loss of biodiversity GIS (Geographic Information System) technology helps us better understand and manage ecosystems and species. This leads to more effective strategies for preserving and protecting valuable natural resources.

GIS is a computer system that captures, stores, analyses, and visualizes geospatial data about specific positions on the Earth's surface.

It compiles a variety of information onto a single map, including details about streets, buildings, and vegetation. This allows us to compare the positions of different elements in a structured manner. For instance, using GIS, a single map could display both sources of pollution like factories, and sensitive areas prone to pollution, such as wetlands and rivers. Such a map would help prioritize action plans to address these issues effectively. Let’s have a glance:

We are transforming the physical world into a digital format.

It is making digital data on screen from geographic data for better understanding and easy visualization. It is an essential tool for researchers, data analysts, geologists, etc. concerning environmental studies and conservation practices e.g. When we see a map of a given area, we cannot interpret the data but once digitalized then the data may contain points, lines, polygons, etc. to represent specific geographic features which make the work easy. There are 3 basic methods of digitalization – Manual digitalization, Heads up digitalization, and Automatic digitalization. There are digitalization errors that might occur while working on area objects like Dangle, overshoot, undershoot, overlap, etc. which need to be taken care of.

Fig.1. Source: (Maptitude Mapping Software, n.d.)

As mentioned in Fig. 1 by assembling layers of information into maps is a widespread practice among users of mapping software. Hence, this technique  can easily identify patterns and trends in geographic data.

Popular Desktop GIS tools

These tools contain data input, storage, modification, and a reporting system. List of a few open-source popular tools used remotely -

• ArcGIS Pro - supports multiple data visualization in 2D, 3D and 4D maps, helps to make scientific predictions, and answers various problems. Have a cartography feature that refines data in a simplified manner for map creation also can integrate GIS data from multiple sources and many more exciting features (2D, 3D & 4D GIS Mapping Software | ArcGIS Pro)

• QGIS 3 – free desktop GIS software for creating, editing, and visualization of spatial data, can manipulate any form of vector and raster data with exciting GIS digitizing interface features data and the QGIS Field Calculator and Filter can alter and analyze the data as a bonus (Discover QGIS)

• Google Earth Pro – It helps us to discover global satellite photos featuring 3D buildings and terrain for hundreds of towns as well as one can zoom into our house or somewhere else, then use Street View to access a 360° view addition to it, it’s a free desktop GIS software for creating, editing, and visualization of spatial data (Earth Versions, n.d.)

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Applications of GIS with IT for Monitoring the Environment

Using high-resolution satellite photos from GIS tools we may track forest harvest and clearing automatically without being present at the site physically, it also monitors forest health and improves forest management practices.

• Species distribution modeling and conservation management- Using GIS, effective species monitoring can be implemented e.g., in Fig. 2 GIS image represents the distribution pattern of two species of South American spiny pocket mice: Heteromys australis (Least Concern) and Heteromys teleus (Vulnerable) these two species distribution ranges appear limited because of competition. SDM also helps us predict their interaction type and how to execute a conservation plan. Another usage of SDM is used to control the spread of invasive species, as invasive species have a high dispersal rate and can occupy a given area within a very short period, hindering the survival of native species with GIS SDM technique we can know each species distribution and its abundance and can prevent the threat of invasive to the native.

Source: Kass, J., Meenan, S., Tinoco, N., Burneo, S., & Anderson, R. (2020)

Fig. 2. Total occurrence localities (before thinning) for Heteromys australis (circles), H. teleus (triangles), and inferred hybrids (squares); filled shapes represent localities first reported in this study. Study extents are depicted as solid lines for H. australis and dotted lines for H. teleus, with the combined study extents represented by elevation hillshades (Kass et al., 2020)

• Forest Fire management – We all know how common forest fires have become, due to climate change impact and rising temperatures thereby affecting wildlife order to reduce the disaster by having prior risk analysis by assisting in mapping areas affected by forest fires to facilitate the development of a proper management plan by experts to prevent further damage to the forest. E.g., Fig 3 GIS map shows the Forest fire risk zone in the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats Mountain region, Kerala. Red-colored regions depict a very high risk for forest fire which means in the future this area can get affected and green regions are at low risk based on these conservationists may prepare an action plan to avoid the risk level.

Source: Vinod, P. G., Ajin, R. S., K Jacob, M., & Arr, M. (2014)

Fig. 3. Forest Fire Risk Zones in the Western Ghats Mountain region (Vinod et al., 2014)

• Sustainable agriculture and land use planning practice –By improving farming techniques and managing crops can increase efficiency. Knowledge of soil properties can help determine which crops to sow for higher yields. E.g., in Fig.4 GIS map indicates soil moisture content in terms of percentage red-colored regions are showing the lowest moisture content and dark blue represents the highest soil moisture content with such information as which crops are suitable for which region based on moisture content.

Source: Paul, S. (2018)

Fig. 4. SERVIR is a collaboration between NASA and USAID that utilizes maps to indicate the percentage of moisture in the soil for optimal crop production(Paul, 2018)

• Forest and Ecosystem Analysis, Real-time monitoring of ecological corridors, Habitat Mapping, Spatial visualization of Biogeographic Region, and Forest Biomass Assessments - GIS technology has enabled the mapping of forest areas, allowing for a better understanding of the distribution of forest resources and Biomass assessments in a given region e.g., in Fig 5 GIS map showing various vegetation cover of Mexico as 1/3rd of the country is covered by forest have a wide range of Biogeographic regions as mentioned below. This technology is also widely used by forestry companies to inventory their timber resources and plan for the harvesting of materials.

Source : Urbazaev, M., Thiel, C., Cremer, F., Dubayah, R., Migliavacca, M., Reichstein, M., & Schmullius, C. (2018)

Fig 5. Spatial visualization of vegetation/biogeographic map of Mexico (Urbazaev et al., 2018)

Way Forward

By harnessing the power of GIS technology, conservationists and policymakers can make more informed decisions and work towards mitigating biodiversity loss and safeguarding our planet's natural heritage for future generations. Several key steps should be considered to plan Biodiversity management plans based on the GIS approach, like-

(a). Accurate GIS Database collected from diverse backgrounds of Land use, ecosystems, and species distribution.

(b). Identification of critical habitats, key biodiversity areas, and ecological corridors for immediate attention.

(c). Developing Maps and Real-time monitoring using GIS aid in planning habitat restoration and ecosystem functioning.

(d). Stakeholder engagement to ensure collaborative efforts for conservation measures and sustainable practices to improve genetic diversity and species resilience.

(e). Regular awareness programs can foster local support to enhance biodiversity conservation, especially the threatened/vulnerable species.

By leveraging, we can develop GIS technology-integrated conservation strategies that will eventually lead to environmental protection.

References:

• 2D, 3D & 4D GIS Mapping Software | ArcGIS Pro. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2023, from https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-pro/overview

• Discover QGIS. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2023, from https://qgis.org/en/site/about/index.html

• Earth Versions. (n.d.). Google Earth. Retrieved July 27, 2023, from https://www.google.com/intl/en_in/earth/versions/

• Kass, J., Meenan, S., Tinoco, N., Burneo, S., & Anderson, R. (2020). Improving area of occupancy estimates for parapatric species using distribution models and support vector machines. Ecological Applications: A Publication of the Ecological Society of America, 31, e2228. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2228

• Maptitude Mapping Software. (n.d.). Retrieved August 3, 2023, from https://www.caliper.com/maptitude/mapping-software.htm

• Paul, S. (2018). Maps define “The Power of Where.” Geospatial World. https://www.geospatialworld.net/article/gis-based-mapping-maps-define-the-power-of-where/

• Urbazaev, M., Thiel, C., Cremer, F., Dubayah, R., Migliavacca, M., Reichstein, M., & Schmullius, C. (2018). Estimation of forest aboveground biomass and uncertainties by integration of field measurements, airborne LiDAR, and SAR and optical satellite data in Mexico. Carbon Balance and Management, 13(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13021-018-0093-5

• Vinod, P. G., Ajin, R. S., K Jacob, M., & Arr, M. (2014). Forest fire risk analysis using Geoinformation technology: A study of Peppara wildlife sanctuary, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.