T.N. Potter, D.P. Guertin, M.R. Kunzmann, and J. Barnett

ORPI, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, and the Barry Goldwater Bombing Range represent a significant portion of the Sonoran Desert which is globally recognized as one of the great pristine desert areas. However, there are growing pressures on this fragile ecosystem. In Mexico, just south of the border, a dynamic economy is expanding. Historically, border communities were based upon intensive agriculture, which recently has been expanding at a greater rate. Consequently, the ground water must be carefully managed and frequently monitored. In addition, with the recent passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the area is now experiencing substantial industrial and recreational development. Consequently, there are greater opportunities for land use conflicts along the International boundary.

As part of it's mission, ORPI has established a large scale inventory and monitoring program to help protect its unique natural and cultural resources. The monitoring program generates large quantities of spatially referenced data on numerous species and ecosystem processes. Because of the complexity of this cooperatively based program, ORPI needed a geographic information system (GIS) to efficiently store, analyze, manage, and organize the data.

In 1991 the first Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Geographic Information System (GIS) Plan was approved (Dupuy, 1991). The plan stressed the application of GIS to resource management, but also identified other areas of management interest including; maintenance, visitor protection, and interpretation. The plan was relatively comprehensive in that it identified specific application areas while also providing detailed recommendations regarding GIS hardware and software purchases, data acquisition, and potentialstaffing needs. The 1991 Plan listed 4 major tasks for the establishment a GIS program at the Monument; (1) the purchase and installation of GIS hardware and software, (2) the development a basic GIS database, (3) the development of GIS applications, and (4) the training of Monument personnel on GIS software, database development, and procedures. Since approval of the 1991 Plan, significant progress has been made toward the achievement of these objectives.

The first step was the establishment of a Cooperative Agreement between the Advance Resource Technology Group (ART), the National Biological Service Cooperative Park Studies-University of Arizona (NBS-CPSU/UA), and ORPI to develop and deploy GIS capabilities at the Monument. ORPI received from ART and the NBS-CPSU/UA; (1) the technical expertise and experience to help design and develop initial thematic datasets, (2) monitoring protocols, (3) GIS modeling applications, and (4) staff training. ART received funding to support graduate students. The graduate students received financial support and valuable "hands on" experience in GIS database and application development. The NBS-CPSU/UA received a GIS database which it could utilize for regional research activities. This cooperative effort benefitted all parties significantly in their respective missions of preservation, education, and research.

Since the initial work, the GIS program at ORPI has become increasingly self-sufficient. While most GIS functions can now be accomplished at ORPI, the cooperative partnership continues. These "non-park" cooperators allow ORPI to draw on a wide variety skills and expertise that are not likely to be available within ORPI itself. In effect, a multi-disciplinary team of research professionals have been servicing the Monument at very cost effective rates and within budget. Examples of a few accomplishments are listed below.

One of the first GIS analysis addressed the fragmentation of wildlife habitat caused by the main public traffic corridor across the Monument. The main highway, Arizona Route 85 runs through the Monument in a north-south direction. The highway is best known for its scenery and easy access to popular resorts along the Gulf of California or "Sea of Cortez." As a direct result, Lukeville, one of the major international border entry points between Arizona and Mexico located on the highway, is frequently used by a wide range of visitors in a variety of recreational and boat-tugging vehicles. Route 85 already is heavily used and there is some concern that with NAFTA the amount of traffic on the road will expand significantly.

A research study was conducted by University of Arizona researchers Phillip Rosen and Charles H. Lowe on the effects of Route 85 traffic on snake populations. Snakes, as may be expected, are adversely impacted by high volumes of highway traffic and road-design related issues that often fragment habitat. Snakes are slow moving and typically, in the southwest arid environments, use paved roads as a heat source. Early results indicate that some species are more likely than others to experience a "road" mortality event and that male snakes in most species studied were somewhat more likely to be hit by moving vehicles either by accident or design. Between 1985 and 1991, investigators drove Route 85 at night recording the status of snakes (i.e. species morphometric data such as species type, sex, length, reproductive state) and state (live or dead). After reviewing the data the investigators corrected for "trap nights" and other year-to-year variables, and determined the type and number of snakes killed per unit time and distance. The researchers determined each snake location on the road by car odometer readings from a known point location. The GIS was instrumental in determining the directionality and distance between snake point observations. A significant amount of time was required to "interpret" nightly, hand-written, field notes into a normalized GIS database structure.

During the sampling period 411 dead snake observations were made. Extrapolated to the entire period when snakes would be active during the year, would mean that thousands of snakes would be "road" killed each year. The GIS coverage illustrates that snake mortality was not uniform across the Monument. Some areas, such as stream washes, had much higher mortality. The GIS analysis illustrated the current problem with the road and can be used to provide solutions. If the road is relocated, areas (habitat) that are likely to experience high mortality levels can be avoid. Signs can also be placed on the current road asking people slow down to protect important wildlife, including snakes. There has also been some discussion as to the feasiblity of providing wildlife corridors by elevating the road (expensive) or increasing the numbers of strategically placed roads signs (maybe "a snake crossing"?).

1. Development of the Ecological Management Model
   The Northern Sonoran Desert Ecological Monitoring Model (NSDEMM) is being developed using the existing inventory and monitoring data and the GIS database to make predictions on the status of plant and animal resources in unsurveyed areas within ORPI. NSDEMM, when ground truthed, will be used to establish future studies and monitoring sites in at ORPI and adjacent areas. The longer-term goal are to develop a set of uniform inventory methods, monitoring protocols, and GIS-based procedures across "normalized" sites so that comparisons and assessments may be made of the condition of ecological resources throughout the region. The research is being conducted at The University of Arizona by the NBS-CPSU/UA and ART personnel.

2. Development of a Database Management System
   Currently ORPI maintains a number of ecological databases. The Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) being developed will integrate the species and site specific sets of tabular data products, produced by the inventory and monitoring activities, into a single integrated GIS-compatible RDBMS. In general, these diverse databases contain data relating to birds (for example Gambel's Quail), mammals, reptiles (for example a rattlesnake), amphibians, insects and vegetation (for example Saguaro Cactus). The database system will, in turn, be attribute-linked, by a series of primary keys and related schema to the existing GIS database and NSDEMM to improve overall assessment and analysis capabilities. The RDBMS is being designed and prototyped by the NBS-CPSU/UA utilizing graduate students at The University of Arizona.

3. Regional GIS Profile
   The Regional GIS Profile seeks to compile a regional collection of GIS data and a regional resources profile that encompasses the Sonoran Desert Biosphere Reserve. A collection of regional GIS data will assist in providing an understanding of resource management alternatives in the region and will enhance collaboration among resource managers, residents and other concerned organizations. This is a coopervative effort between ART, NBS-CPSU/UA, and ORPI.

   The activities that will be accomplished during this project are: (1) inventory and analysis of the status of mapped (digital and non-digital) information relating to the natural, cultural, and economic resources of the region; (2) preparation of a report identifying known information relating to the regional resources including detailed regional thematic maps (i.e. land use, vegetation etc.); (3) production of a catalog of regional spatial-data resource information sources; (4) archiving of pertinent regional digital GIS data to a single location where it will be available for use with on-going planning, management, and research in the region; and (5) identification of gaps in the existing regional database with recommendations regarding future data acquisition.

4. Digital Conversion of ORPI Geology Map
   Currently the ORPI GIS database does not contain a layer for geology. The main reason for this is that a high resolution published geologic map that encompasses the entire Monument does not exist. However, an unpublished map does exist. A project is currently underway that involves digitizing this map to create a GIS layer. A bi-product of this digital conversion is an effort to simultaneously take the map through the USGS peer review and publishing process. The final products will include: a GIS layer, a published peer reviewed map, and published simplified interpretive map. This effort is being done at ORPI.

5. Creation of a Sonoran Desert Tortoise GIS Database
   Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument recently received NRPP funding for inventory and monitoring of the Sonoran Desert Tortoise. As part of this project, Monument personnel will build a Sonoran Desert Tortoise GIS database. This database will contain all applicable historical spatial data related to the desert tortoise. As the project progresses, GPS referenced inventory and monitoring records will be included in the database. Also, a Sonoran Desert Tortoise habitat map and GIS-based model will be constructed that will directly relate to historical observations, inventory and monitoring data, and general scientific knowledge of tortoise habitat. In relation to this habitat is the construction of a mines inventory and assessment GIS theme. This data layer will contain information about all known mines in the Monument and will contain information about mitigation measures, such as capping that relate directly to desert tortoise protection. In general, the information in this database will be used to make management decisions that promote the health, safety, and longevity of the desert tortoise community within the Monument.

6. GIS Site Maps of EMP Sites
   GPS data is being collected to create maps of the eighteen Ecological Monitoring Program (EMP) sites located within the Monument. This data will be converted to a GIS format and precise maps of each site will be created. These maps will be integrated into the existing GIS database. Plots will be produced that show EMP site features that overlay other features such as vegetation, topography and surface hydrology. This effort is being done at ORPI.

7. Digital Conversion of Maintenance Utility Maps
   Plans relating to the water, sewer and electrical utilities within the monument are currently maintained as hand drawn, penciled lines on blue-line base maps. ORPI, by converting these plans to a digital format, will be able to easily reproduced and make changes to their utility maps.

8. Night Sky Brightness Mapping
   To be in the Sonoran Desert at night under a star canopy that is not polluted by the bright lights of the city, is a beautiful experience. Many visitors to the Monument count the clarity of the night sky as a primary reason for visiting. Unfortunately, a dark night sky, unpolluted by city lights, is a natural resource that is increasingly being diminished. Increased development around the boundaries of the Monument has meant an increase in the amount of outdoor electric lights that reduce the darkness and beauty of the night sky. A night sky brightness monitoring protocol has recently been initiated at ORPI. The data resulting from this monitoring program measures the background light in the star canopy and can be used to indicate light pollution. However, it is difficult to present the results of this monitoring program in a tabular format. The data has a significant spatial component. Using this spatial component, a series of night sky brightness isoline maps can be produced that could illustrate the problem of light pollution of the night sky.

9. GIS Plan Revision
   Since 1991, considerable progress has been made in fulfilling the objectives of the original GIS plan. However, it is felt that a revision of the plan would be helpful in keeping the Monument's GIS program focused and on track with the needs of ORPIs dynamic resource and research programs. This revision will strive to delineate four primary objectives; (1) Establish a revised project boundary, (2) Describe accomplishments completed under the 1991 GIS plan, (3) Present a series of project statements that will outline future work related to the GIS program, (4) Prioritize project statements into a 2 year work plan which will direct their order and timing. The revised plan will also seek to address issues related to all aspects of Monument management including natural and cultural resources, interpretation, visitor protection, and maintenance. Initial implementation will focus on natural and cultural resources, with other applications being incorporated as funds become available and as application priorities are developed.

A GIS plan has two primary functions. It provides focus and direction for a GIS program and it provides documentation for obtaining assistance in the form of projects, personnel, facilities, and equipment. Possible GIS projects in a National Park setting are usually diverse. The GIS plan can provide specific statements detailing proceedures for accomplishing GIS projects on a priority basis. Rapid production of useful and meaningful applications is the key to a successful GIS program. However, it is essential that the plan be flexible enough to allow the Monument staff to incorporate technological developments into the GIS. For example, Monument personnel responded to rapid developments in GPS technology and incorporated this technology and benefits into several monument operations. Currently, developments in "desktop" GIS promise to allow for direct access of GIS technology by all Monument staff. In response to this development, "desktop" applications are being considered for implementation.

It also goes without saying that a successful GIS program needs GIS hardware and software and technically trained personnel to run it. Who hasn't heard horror stories from some organization or agency about expensive GIS dedicated workstations gathering dust in a corner without the trained personnel to operate them? The contrary story of a trained personel without equipment is probably less common. The point is that to succeed you must have both of the above components in place at a park (or locally), or the likelyhood of success for a GIS program is low.

The final components, though definitely not the least important, are the cooperative relationships between agencies, organizations, and people. The nurturing and support, by ORPI management, of strategic cooperative relationships and partnerships provided the glue that cemented the complex components of the ORPI GIS program together. The effect of consistent, high quality external support and cooperation is one of synergy. Without the initial contributions by ART and NBS-CPSU/UA the ORPI GIS program would have taken many more years to implement. The broader expertise, equipment, and many hard-working, dedicated graduate students that were provided by ART and NBS-CPSU/UA to ORPI, allowed the Monument to "jump start" its program.

The cooperative effort is ongoing and will hopefully only expand in the future. Everyone is still learning how to apply GIS to the problems at ORPI. Future efforts will address new concerns, which will require research and training, proving more than enough work for everyone.

Dupuy, G.A. 1991. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Geographical Information System Plan. National Park Service.

D. Phillip Guertin is an Associate Professor in the School of Renewable Natural Resource and Unit Leader of the Advanced Resource Technology Group. Correspondence may be sent to: School of Renewable Natural Resources, The University of Arizona, 203 Biological Sciences East, Tucson, Arizona, 85721 or by Internet email: phil@nexus.srnr.arizona.edu.

Michael R. Kunzmann is an ecologist for the U.S. National Biological Service Cooperative Park Studies Unit (NBS-CPSU/UA) and is a member of the Advanced Resources Technology Group at The University of Arizona. Correspondence may be sent to: NBS-CPSU, 125 Biological Sciences East, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. 85721, phone (520) 621-7282, Internet email: mrsk@npscpsu.srnr.arizona.ed u.

James Barnett is the Chief of Resource Management at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona. Correspondence may be sent to: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Route 1, Box 100, Ajo, Arizona, 85321, by phone (520) 387-6849, or by Internet email: Jim_Barnett@ccmail.itd.nps. gov.