The Use of GIS in Conservation Biology Introduction

The Use of GIS in Conservation Biology Introduction Methods GIS or Geographic Information System is an important tool and skill for the future. It lets us visualize, analyze, interpret data to understand relationship, patterns, and trends (ESRI). GIS has many uses in modern life, it has become a key component in industries such as construction, agriculture, public administration, environmental management, homeland security, law enforcement. etc. The need for map making is ever more crucial. Further GIS works can be found in conservation biology: maps are made determining areas and locations of endangered species. For this project the GIS software that was used was Arc. GIS. The textbook “a. GIS in STEM” (2011) by Hanebuth, Rotzler, and Smith was used in creating a map of conservation for Eagles and Harperella plants in Northeastern Chatham county. This lesson showcases the importance of using GIS in protecting endangered wildlife. The map was created for determining the buffer zone of Bald and Golden Eagle’s nest, and determining the protection zone for endangered Harperella plants. GIS tools and techniques that were used include buffer, clip, and editor. In creating the map I opened a spreadsheet excel with coordinates of the eagles sighting and then I saved it as a text. In ARCGIS I added the text into the map through display XY data. I then exported the data to make the eagle sighting locations appear on the map. I did the same process adding the eagle's nest onto the map. After inputting the data, I created a buffer around the eagle’s nest. Adding the location of Harperella plants, I created two buffers around the plants and clipped one buffer to show the protected zone in the water. Next, I opened editor and added three buoys in the water, additionally, I added 6 signs surrounding the Harperella plants. After adding all the points to the map I switched to layout view. I added an additional map showcasing the protected area of Harperella plants. Lastly, after positioning the map, I added the scale bar, title, legend, and text. ` Objective/Problem • Determining the buffer area for the protection of Harperella plants in North Eastern Chatham County. • Determining the buffer area for the protection of Bald and Golden eagle’s nests in North Eastern Chatham County. Figure 01. The finish product showing the buffer zone for Bald Eagle’s nest and Harperella plants. Background Information New roads, homes, and buildings are being built all around human society. However, as humans expand their boundaries they encroach on the land of other species of plants and animals. To help preserve these living species research must be done in Conservation Biology. In North Eastern Chatham county endangered- considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild- bald eagles were spotted. No building can be constructed within 660 feet of the eagle’s nest, which is required by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection act. At the same time Harperella plants, another endangered species, at the national level, was found nearby. Construction developers needed a map to determine whether or not the lodging they built is outside of the protection range. Buffers can be used to create a circle or area around the endangered species. Figure 02. Map of North Eastern Chatham county, where the Bald eagle’s nest and Harperella plants were spotted. Figure 03. A closer image of the area where the Bald eagle’s nest and Harperella plants are spotted. Analysis By creating a spreadsheet I can enter the coordinates of bird sightings onto the map; I add the coordinates into the map by exporting the data through display XY data. Doing the same process I can add the location of eagle’s nest onto the map. Then by creating a buffer around the eagle’s nest, I can determine the range of the protected zone for the nest. Next by creating two buffers for Harperella plants I can determine the protected area on land on water for the Harperella plants. Buffers are important for conservation biology as it reveals the protected areas of the endangered species. Then clipping the buffer in the water, for Harperella plants, helps better show the endangered area. Placing the signs and buoys on the buffer help define the boundaries of the protected area. Lastly, by switching to layout view I can construct the GIS map placing my scales, legend, and texts. Conclusion Image 01. Picture of a Harperella plant (Ptilimnium Nodosum), they are a perennial herb that are known to grow up to a height of 6 -36 inches Image 01. Picture of a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) they are predator and scavenger, and can grow up to 30 -37 inches. The lodge, that was built, is well beyond the range of the protected zone for the eagle’s nest. The usage of GIS in conservation biology helps to showcase the boundaries of Bald Eagles and Harperella plants. Future projects now can be built outside of these endangered species range. Further conservations work can now also be done by the identification of these species. For future reference, the lesson on buffer and clip will be useful in creating maps determining distance and boundaries.