Mapping and spatial systems

Geographic Information System (GIS) 

One of the most important tools for managing ecological communities, features and structures within Bush Heritage Australia reserves is the Geographical Information System (GIS).

A GIS allows vital information relating to features and areas within the landscape to be gathered, stored and managed to assist in describing the current state of the environment within a reserve and in developing and assessing appropriate management techniques.

Observations and measurements made on reserves form records within data sets which are linked to features and areas. GPS (Global Positioning System) derived coordinates provide locations for these features and areas. Screen based maps display key observed and measured qualities, and additional information, including areas, lengths, proximities to nearby features and densities within broader areas, are derived using the GIS

In this way, primary questions such as “where is the density of an invasive weed and how does it relate to the presence of a specific soil type” or “what is the likelihood that my access road will be flooded following rain and where will this flooding occur” can be answered and this answer integrated into a management technique capable of eradicating invasive weeds or reducing the likelihood of flooding.

Maps provide the most effective way to deliver information about the extent, type and character of features and landscapes within a reserve. For this reason, all maps provided to reserve staff, included within Bush Heritage newsletters and placed on its web-site provide the best ecological information available: compiled, managed, analysed, summarized and presented through Bush Heritage Australia’s GIS.

 

Richard MacNeill
GIS - Data Coordinator