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 ArcGIS. The
textbook “aGIS 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.
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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
and 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.