Abstract
Studying and Preserving Orangutans and Rainforest Using GIS Track: Ecology and Conservation Author(s): Birute Galdikas, Nancy Briggs, Leslie Smith Since 1971, Biruté Mary Galdikas has been in Borneo studying and saving orangutans and the tropical rain forest in a nonstop conservation effort. Hand-picked by Dr. Louis Leakey to study the great apes in the wild, along with Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey in Africa, Dr. Galdikas in Borneo, Indonesia has dedicated 36 years to research and preserve orangutans; the only Asian great ape, not only in terms of numbers but in quality of life. The Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) began a comprehensive GIS program in 2003. Using Image Processing and GIS tools, a landcover map of the Tanjung Puting National Park where a significant orangutan population live, was created and priority areas for conservation and management was set based on a spatial assessment of habitat, resources, and disturbance threats. GIS helps to solve the ongoing issues in saving the orangutans, their habitat, and form integrated development plans with the community. With essential interpretation from Dr. Galdikas' thirty plus years in the field, the GIS data has assisted important conservation efforts. Birute Galdikas Orangutan Foundation International 4201 Wilshire Blvd Suite 407 Los Angeles , CA 90010 US Phone: (323) 938-6046 E-mail: DrBirute@gmail.com Nancy Briggs Orangutan Foundation International 4201 Wilshire Blvd Suite 407 Los Angeles , CA 90010 US Phone: (323) 938-6046 E-mail: nbriggs@csulb.edu Leslie Smith Orangutan Foundation International 1004 Cypress Ln Davis , CA 95616 US Phone: 530-757-7842 E-mail: leslie.ofi@gmail.com |
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