getting started with gis: geographical information systems claire davis climate change, csir
TRANSCRIPT
Getting started with GIS: Geographical Information Systems
Claire Davis
Climate Change, CSIR
What is GIS? GIS is a technological field that incorporates
geographical features with tabular data in order to map and analyze assess real-world problems
Two major ways of representing data: Raster Vector
Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010
What makes GIS unique?
Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010
Spatial analysis: Database Query Overlay Proximity Analysis Network Analysis Digital Terrain Model Statistical and Tabular Analysis
Recently used in assessment of global change
Climate Change Downscalings
The advantages of climate change data in GIS format
Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010
Kruger to Canyons Case Study Biosphere Reserve in 2001 UNESCO’s Man
and Biosphere Programme
Large climatic and topographical range
Multiple different stressors across a range of scales
Diverse array of land-use and economic activities
Excellent subject for considering how climate change impacts might be successfully managed in a diverse landscape.
K2C Case Study
Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010
Aim: investigate and communicate the latest climate change predictions, impacts and research to key stakeholders within the diverse landscape of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region
Stakeholder engagement = key component Climate Change Handbook www.rvatlas.org/k2c
Stakeholder responses
Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010
Sector Impact of concernTime frame of
concernsResponses able to undertake
Agriculture
Increase of extreme heat events
ImmediateErect protective shelters e.g. shadecloth for livestock and vulnerable crops
Reduction in crop suitability and productivity
Medium – long
Crop switching in the long term Subsidies for subsistence/emerging farmers Improved agricultural extension network
Conservation
Species range shifts
Long
Expand the protected area network through formal and informal conservation efforts
Assisted plant movement for endangered plants
Impacts on ecosystem services
Medium Translate scientific findings and information
into policy and law
Alteration of key ecological process drivers Short-medium
Alter key management strategies Introduce clearly defined adaptive
management
Increased extent of malaria and heat stress will impact eco-tourism
Short-medium
Increase malaria control programs Intensify marketing strategies for cooler winter
times when malaria risk is lowest Enforce clean energy requirements
Water
Variability in water quantity Short-medium term
Set up ‘drought’ committees to disseminate information and make decisions for the long and short term
Reductions in water quality
Short-medium Invest in existing efforts e.g. Working for Water
Provincial and local Municipality
Disaster management; increases in extreme events
Short - long
Regulate and enforce developments that will buffer against disasters e.g. water storage
Improve disaster management plans based on future predictions
Risks require improved facilities
ImmediateMaintain and develop existing infrastructure e.g. maintain sewage works and waste facilities
Local communityFood and economic security threatened by climatic extremes
ImmediateEncourage sustainable harvesting and use of plants
by communityNeed to explore alternative energy sources
Forestry
Health of work force; malaria, heat stress and respiratory / immune conditions
Immediate
More research and development of hybrids
Species site matching Immediate Unknown
Stakeholder responses cont.
Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010
Cross-Sectoral Concerns
Uncertainty of the extent of change and the lack of baseline data
Immediate
Increased capacity and budget for baseline monitoring
More precise models and accurate information
More directed research and development
Increased presence of pests, pathogens, alien plant invasion and bush encroachment
Immediate
Use existing resources e.g. Working for Water and Working for Fire
Research into land management plans to reduce tree cover
General adaptation options
Capacity, funding and knowledge dissemination Increased awareness and climate change education in local communities Local adaptive capacity (e.g. municipalities) needs to be strengthened Input short term climate predictions into existing management strategies and promote
scenario planning
Disadvantages and ‘to do’ list
Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010
GIS accuracy depends upon the source data
Inter-conversions between ArcGIS 9.1, ArcGIS 9.2, Edrisi Kilamanjaro/Taiga, and various freeware options
Finding the best way to communicate climate change information to a range of stakeholders
Tutorial and exercise
Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010
Been provided with: GIS Manual (with background information on GIS) K2C Handbook Provinces of South Africa Towns of South Africa Kruger National Park Rainfall and temperature projections from 2 models Hawths Tools 3 free GIS programs
Use this time to work through the tutorials (no/limited GIS background) and exercise (advanced)