USGS National Wetlands Research Center: Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information Systems

View of a GIS Database The National Wetlands Research Center's staff members integrate data from various sources into comprehensive geographic information systems (GIS) and associated data bases. A GIS is composed of five equally-important components: computer hardware, advanced software, accurate source data, dependable procedures, and trained staff. Statistics and map products are frequently developed from using GIS, and this new information is sometimes used for a new data set, another application, or future project planning. Source data includes information derived from photogrammetry, cartography, remote sensing, field data collection, and experimentation results. A GIS allows the analysis of large and complex data bases for trend analysis, natural resource inventorying and monitoring, and modeling for the southeastern United States. Once these systems and their data are developed, they are available or transferred to other government agencies, universities, and the private sector through NWRC's National Spatial Data Infrastructure participation.

Staff are currently conducting the Louisiana GAP Analysis for the entire state of Louisiana, using numerous and varied data resources and field verification. This effort will provide the mechanism to create a state-wide data set for vegetation, species range distribution, and land management areas. Individual maps and digital data will be the end product of this effort, along with a final composite data set that depicts the "gaps" in the current land management scheme for Louisiana. The GIS environment provides the tools necessary to facilitate spatial analysis required for GAP Analysis for use by natural resource planners and decision makers.

Research

Assess and Monitor Conditions in the Estuarine Environments of the Louisiana Province - Joint Effort with EPA's EMAP-E Program (Pierre "Pete" Bourgeois)
GIS Support for Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act ("Breaux Bill") - Planning Activities (John A. Barras)
GIS Technologies: Technical Assistance, Support, and Training Related to GIS (Steve B. Hartley)
Habitat Mapping and GIS Analysis for Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Lawrence R. Handley and William R. Jones)
Regional Trend Analysis for Habitat Change (GIS Staff)
Louisiana GAP Project: Landcover Map, Wildlife Breeding Bird Distributions, and Public Lands (Steve B. Hartley)
Caddo Lake Ecosystems Spatial Data base (Steve B. Hartley)

Return to Spatial Analysis Branch.