© Mark Godfrey

Component 3: Value-added Tools: Internet-Based GIS Ecosystem Assessment and Reporting Tool for Conservation Decision-Making

INTER-AMERICAN BIODIVERSITY

INFORMATION NETWORK (IABIN) SIXTH COUNCIL

MEETINGBayahibe, Dominican

Republic 14-17 July 2009

Steve SchillSenior ScientistCaribbean ProgramThe Nature Conservancy

TNC Projects with IABIN

DGF Project:

Value-Added Tools:

Ecosystem TN:

Protected Areas TN:

Protected Area Tools for ArcGISTraining and Capacity BuildingWatershed Threat Assessments

Protected Area Tools for ArcGISTraining and Capacity BuildingWatershed Threat Assessments

Integration of Ecoregional ProductsTerrestrial/Freshwater StandardClassifications

Integration of Ecoregional ProductsTerrestrial/Freshwater StandardClassifications

Consortium MemberManagement EffectivenessConsortium MemberManagement Effectiveness

Internet-Based GIS Ecosystem Assessment and Reporting Tool

Internet-Based GIS Ecosystem Assessment and Reporting Tool

PAT Three Modules:1. Environmental Risk Surface (ERS)2. Relative Biodiversity Index (RBI)3. Marxan Tools

http://www.gispatools.org

Schill and Raber, 2008

Environmental Risk Surface (ERS)

Requires:1)Targets2)Planning Units3)Analysis Extent

Relative Biodiversity Index (RBI)

Relative Biodiversity Index (RBI)

Requires 4 data layers:• Targets (points, lines, polygons)• Planning Units• ERS Model (cost surface)• Protected Areas

Marxan Support Tools

PAT Tools:Systematic Conservation Design

ViabilityStatus

ThreatsStatus

MngmtStatus

Mitigate ThreatsImplement Mngmt Plan

Improve ViabilityMitigate Threats

Improve ViabilityImplement Mngmt Plan

Improve Biodiversity

Mitigate ThreatsImplement Mngmt Plan

= Effective Conservation

Evaluating Effective Conservation

IABIN Component 3: Tool Objectives

• Integrate IABIN’s Ecosystem and Protected Area Thematic Networks

• Provide a simplistic “manager’s dashboard” approach for querying and visualization of effective conservation

• Permit conservation decision-makers to cross-query ecosystems with protected area information

• Spatial and tabular reporting of ecosystems and protected areas

• What is the level of effective conservation for each ecosystem and within each protected area?

• Where are the gaps in effective management for each of these ecosystems?

• Given limited resources, where are the most suitable areas to implement conservation strategies?

Visualization and Reporting Tool

• What ecosystems exist in each protected area and what kind of management are they lacking?

• What are the ecosystem percentages in each of the eight categories?

• For each ecosystem not meeting the goal, where do we need to improve viability? reduce threats? improve management?

Visualization and Reporting Tool

Developing Future Threat Models

SLR RESILIENCE

Viability and Threat Models

VIABILITY THREAT

Intent Reserve is established to provide high-quality spawning, rearing and adult habitat for fishes. No fishing or diving allowed.

BiodiversityFocus

Duration The fishing and diving ban is stated for 5 years.

Short Term

EffectiveManagementPotential

PlanningFramework:

There is a management prescription in place to address instances of fishing and diving.

Most to FullPotential

Governance: The local island community holds regular meetings to evaluate reserve mgnt and resolve issues that arise.

Resources: There is sufficient funding and staffing for a patrol boat.

Evaluating Management Effectiveness

Cross-walking Questions to Fit EMP Sub-indicators

Conservation Management Status

Target Assessment: Mangroves

VIABILITY

THREAT

MNGNT

Effective Conservation of Mangroves

Developing a Data Model

Developing a Data Model

Ecosystem Assessment and Reporting Tool

Ecosystem Assessment and Reporting Tool

Output Reporting Tables

• Be able to use other reporting units besides protected areas: countries, sub-national political units, watersheds, ecoregions

• Display of other TN databases via WMS/WFS links

• Being able to generate report by user-defined geographical unit

• Calculation of how much of an ecosystem is protected based on certain management criteria.

Planned Utilities for the Tool