..bringing the power of
spatial technology to your business!
Conservation and land management challenges and
objectives are as varied as the the land, its biota (living organisms) and the natural
systems which shape and control them. On this page we offer a glimpse into how we can help
resolve the pressing issues of the day.You will find various examples, plus a detailed
step-by-step case study. We hope you will be
encouraged by the potential to answer questions which previously have seemed simply too
daunting!
Environmental data sourcing and compilation
Knowing how much of what is where, forms the basis of
much ecological work and land management planning. Removing uncertainty allows you to put
your energies where they are most needed. This map shows the estimated number of willow and gorse
plants (declared environmental weeds) on a river system.
The actual numbers of plants are derived using remote measurement and advanced
ecological calculations.
From applied research to targeted campaigns, you don't need to be
under-informed any longer.
From ecological and status assessments of individual
species (above right and below), to regional ecological profiles (right).
Ecological and habitat analysis
Regardless of your specific concerns, there is almost
certain to be data which can offer you additional insight.
We specialise
in
scouring the hidden
data archives,
accessing the data
you need, and
applying our
extensive ecological
and spatial expertise
to provide answers
to your questions,
whatever they are.
Believe a species to be
threatened? Make your case for funding watertight, or re-assess status to make better use
of resources.
The following example
illustrates how we can extract enormous amounts of valuable information from limited data
resources:
The base data sets were designed and compiled by MapMakers
personnel for the South Australian Government. Our example covers the extent of a single
1:50,000 map sheet, or approximately 680 km2.
The
land unit boundaries initially were defined using geological maps and aerial photography.
Standardised field procedures were used to validate mapping and to collect the natural
resource data utilised in land management planning. The sample sites are marked here by
the red stars.
Whenever we undertake new resource survey work, you can be assured
it is planned and executed to prevailing national standards,
allowing it to be easily integrated with existing data sources.
In
this case we show how to determine the most productive tracts of land for the purposes of
plant growth, and hence ability to support a range of animal populations.
The
dark green areas on this map have vigorous, dense plant growth, the paler yellow areas
have relatively little plant cover.
However even with well planned sampling programs, some
areas will require extrapolation, a process which may mask significant
variation in the landscape.
To overcome much of this difficulty, we
subject the data to additional processing which effectively integrates these un-sampled
variables.
This map shows the results of one of the processing steps.
These images are the result of progressive and cumulative analysis
of the data sets. They account for the fact that the land varies continuously over area,
rather than changing abruptly at defined boundaries based on sampled points.
Instead
of the discreet, uniform areas revealed during the first stage, we begin to expose more
subtle variations by utilising additional data analysis procedures.
Visualisation further assists us to understand what is happening at
the landscape level.
This diagram shows in effect what the landscape would look like if
all the above-ground plant material was cut, put through a mulcher and left in piles where
it had grown!
However,
to account for both animal habitat and food requirements, we have performed additional
calculations to factor in the balance between perennial woody components of the species
mix, and the more immediately important green, leafy components.
Sophisticated
spatial analyses are then performed to ensure actual data points are restricted to
appropriate parts of the landscape. This is illustrated in the diagram below, where the
top "biomass" layer clearly shows the "raised" nature of creek lines,
which in semi-arid Australia are typically lined with the largest trees. While not as
immediately apparent, by studying the land surface in the bottom layer, it is clear where
the relatively vigorous plant life corresponds to "valleys" and other run-on
areas..
Another important source of
environmental data is landscape relief, which we generate in the form of a "digital
elevation model" or DEM.
While terrain as such does not uniquely determine plant vigour..
..it greatly influences the extent to which land receives and
retains rainfall, and exposure to sunlight.
The image on the left shows
where water runs off veryquickly, and those areas where it is retained and therefore available to plants for longer. To
the right, the green areas receive some
shelter from the fierce summer sun, while the orange
areas are very exposed and have evaporation rates too high for vigorous plant growth.
Combining all our data, we can produce a map which accurately shows
the areas most suited to plant growth in this harsh environment.
While
the value of this type of information to conservation planners and land managers should be
obvious, it also can be of enormous importance to our more traditional land users, farmers
and graziers..
Here we have further analysed our data to yield relative fodder
values for each paddock of the various properties in the area. The graphs show minimum,
maximum, and average values for each paddock. Because we utilise real, unclassified data,
we are able to further develop these analyses to consider for example nutritional value,
seasonal availability, and even palatability!
Access to this type of
information can make decisions on stocking rates and location of improvements including
watering points and fences, consistent with the sustainable capacity of the land, ensuring
economic well-being as well as a future for our unique landscapes, plants and animals.
From data to information; information to knowledge ~
empowerment!
Integration of existing and custom data sources offers
you the knowledge base from which to present your arguments clearly and powerfully.
Compelling, decision making analysis once was the sole preserve of
Governments and large corporations.
Please note that most of the images on our site have been generated primarily
for hard copy, and therefore might not display optimally on your terminal.
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