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Track: Natural Resources and Conservation
Patrick Crist
GAP Analysis Program
530 S Asbury St Suite 1
Moscow, ID 83843
Telephone: 208-885-3901
Fax: 208-885-3618
E-mail: pcrist@uidaho.edu
Michael Jennings
Introduction to the Gap Analysis Program (GAP)
Defining Issue: Conservation of biodiversity requires the development of GIS data on land cover, animal distribution, and land stewardship; analyzed and interpreted for landowners, managers, planners, and decision makers. GIS Solution: GAP is one of the most demanding GIS projects ever launched with a full involvement of remote sensing technology for land cover mapping, GIS modeling and spatial analysis, and database storage and analysis. Delivery of data over the Internet and by CD ROM is also pushing the electronic publishing frontier. Methodology: Development of the biological data sets and stewardship maps (ownership and management status for biodiversity conservation) provides the public with estimates of the representation of plant communities and animal species (elements) on lands managed for biodiversity maintenance. "GAPS" are those elements that are insufficiently represented and may be at risk of endangerment in the future unless changes in their management status are made. The data sets
have thus far been used for numerous applications for both conservation and development planning, as well as scientific research. GAP is conducted in cooperation with over 400 institutions from all state and federal land management agencies, academia, nonprofit, and industry groups. Software: The individual GAP projects conduct the project using a variety of software packages including Esri ArcInfo, ERDAS, Intergraph, SPECTRUM, PCI Oracle, dBASE, and GRASS, among others. The purpose of this presentation is to provide participants with an overview of the program structure, status, operations, goals, methods, and products. We will identify methods to access and use the data including access through the Internet.
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