Abstract
Spatial Tools for Ailinginae Atoll Marine Conservation and Biodiversity Mapping Track: Ecology and Conservation Author(s): Brian Fulfrost QuickBird satellite imagery and Rapid Ecological Assessments (REA) were used to assess the natural resources of Ailinginae atoll. The combination of information derived from the remotely sensed imagery and the REA were used as data inputs for three different spatial analysis techniques designed to assist resource managers in identifying areas of high species richness to target for protection. First, we interpolated biodiversity using kriging. Second, we conducted a series of simple linear regressions in order to use the (potentially significant) coefficients as a predictor of species richness. Finally, we utilized Marxan as a decision making tool to identify areas of high conservation priority using both the QuickBird imagery as well as field data from the REA. Although the first two methods still hold some promise for predicting biodiversity, Marxan allowed us to identify areas of high conservation priority using a combination of both discrete and continuous datasets. Brian Fulfrost UCSC Environmental Studies 1156 High St Santa Cruz , CA 95064 US Phone: 831-459-2890 Fax: 831-459-4015 E-mail: fulfrost@ucsc.edu |
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