Abstract

Habitat Priority Planner: Enhancing Participatory GIS in Conservation Planning
Track: Ecology and Conservation
Author(s): William Brooks, Danielle Bamford, Dorn Moore, Chrissa Stroh, Edward Dempsey

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coastal Services Center has developed a toolbar for ArcGIS 9.2, the Habitat Priority Planner (HPP). HPP was designed with the local planner, coastal conservation group, or coastal manager in mind. HPP is a spatial decision-support tool that assists users in prioritizing important areas in the landscape or seascape for conservation or restoration action.

The tool contains three modules: habitat classification, habitat analysis, and data exploration. Habitat classification allows users to select specific habitats that are relevant to their site-specific questions. The habitat analysis module enables users to perform commonly used, prepackaged spatial analyses and to analyze site-specific supporting data. Data exploration allows users to prioritize habitats based on user criteria with stakeholders, project teams, or interest groups in an interactive, participatory environment.

William Brooks
NOAA Coastal Services Center
2234 S. Hobson Ave.
Charleston , South Carolina 29405
United States
Phone: 843-740-1200
E-mail: william.brooks@noaa.gov

Danielle Bamford
NOAA Coastal Services Center
2234 S. Hobson Ave.
Charleston , South Carolina 29405
United States
Phone: 843-740-1200
E-mail: danielle.bamford@noaa.gov

Dorn Moore
NOAA Coastal Services Center
2234 S. Hobson Ave.
Charleston , South Carolina 29405
United States
Phone: 843-740-1200
E-mail: dorn.moore@noaa.gov

Chrissa Stroh
NOAA Coastal Services Center
2234 S. Hobson Ave.
Charleston , South Carolina 29405
United States
Phone: 843-740-1200
E-mail: chrissa.stroh@noaa.gov

Edward Dempsey
Prein&Newhof
3355 Evergreen Dr. NE
Grand Rapids , Michigan 49525
United States
Phone: 616-364-8491
E-mail: EDempsey@preinnewhof.com