The use of geographic information systems (GIS) is exploding worldwide in both number and scope. This book outlines the advent of GIS in natural resource management and explores how various data sets are applied to specific areas of study. Topics include spatial and non-spatial domains; multi-scale framework and resource data; environmental, demographic, and economic indicators; and modeling.

Publisher Description

Geographic information system (GIS) technology brings a new perspective to the challenges faced by natural resource managers. How can argricultural yields be improved without depleting the soil? Where should timber be cut to best protect endangered species? How can landscapes be restored after the extraction of oil and minerals? What can be done to keep land development from choking rivers and coastlines with silt? This book presents a dozen case studies of real organizations using GIS to address these and other pressing issues of natural resource management.

These exercises have been developed as part of an Introductory Natural Resource Management GIS Course at Clemson University using ESRI(r) ArcGIS(r) ArcMap software. Data and Laboratory Questions to support these exercises, as is possible, are available on email request ([email protected]) and/or are directly downloadable from the Internet.

Managing Our World: GIS for Natural Resources explores a collection of real-life stories about natural resource organizations successfully using GIS to increase efficiency and sustainability.

Geographic Information Science for Land Resource Management is a comprehensive book focusing on managing land resources using innovative techniques of spatial information sciences and satellite remote sensing. The enormous stress on the land resources over the years due to anthropogenic activities for commercialization and livelihood needs has increased manifold. The only solution to this problem lies in the stakeholders' awareness, which can only be attained through scientific means. The awareness is the basis of the sustainable development concept, which involves optimal management of natural resources, subject to the availability of reliable, accurate, and timely information from the global to local scales. GIScience consists of satellite remote sensing (RS), Geographical Information System (GIS), and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology that is nowadays a backbone of environmental protection, natural resource management, and sustainable development and planning. Being a powerful and proficient tool for mapping, monitoring, modeling, and managing natural resources can help understand the earth's surface and its dynamics at different observational scales. Through the spatial understanding of land resources, policymakers can make prudent decisions to restore and conserve critically endangered resources, such as water bodies, lakes, rivers, air, forests, wildlife, biodiversity, etc. This innovative new volume contains chapters from eminent researchers and experts. The primary focus of this book is to replenish the gap in the available literature on the subject by bringing the concepts, theories, and experiences of the specialists and professionals in this field jointly. The editors have worked hard to get the best literature in this field in a book form to help the students, researchers, and policymakers develop a complete understanding of the land system's vulnerabilities and solutions.

The global demand for environmental status and impact monitoring has resulted in an increasing need for resource managers and practitioners of remote sensing and GIS technology to work closely together. In catering for this need, this publication reports on a one-day technical workshop which brought together both users and practitioners of remote sensing and GIS in natural resource management in order to gain awareness of other activities and to discuss the issues, problems and solutions they have found.