Getting started with GIS: Geographical Information Systems

Claire Davis

Climate Change, CSIR

What is GIS? GIS is a technological field that incorporates

geographical features with tabular data in order to map and analyze assess real-world problems

Two major ways of representing data: Raster Vector

Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010

What makes GIS unique?

Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010

Spatial analysis: Database Query Overlay Proximity Analysis Network Analysis Digital Terrain Model Statistical and Tabular Analysis

Recently used in assessment of global change

Climate Change Downscalings

The advantages of climate change data in GIS format

Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010

Kruger to Canyons Case Study Biosphere Reserve in 2001 UNESCO’s Man

and Biosphere Programme

Large climatic and topographical range

Multiple different stressors across a range of scales

Diverse array of land-use and economic activities

Excellent subject for considering how climate change impacts might be successfully managed in a diverse landscape.

K2C Case Study

Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010

Aim: investigate and communicate the latest climate change predictions, impacts and research to key stakeholders within the diverse landscape of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region

Stakeholder engagement = key component Climate Change Handbook www.rvatlas.org/k2c

Stakeholder responses

Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010

Sector Impact of concernTime frame of

concernsResponses able to undertake

Agriculture

Increase of extreme heat events

ImmediateErect protective shelters e.g. shadecloth for livestock and vulnerable crops

Reduction in crop suitability and productivity

Medium – long

Crop switching in the long term Subsidies for subsistence/emerging farmers Improved agricultural extension network

Conservation

Species range shifts

Long

Expand the protected area network through formal and informal conservation efforts

Assisted plant movement for endangered plants

Impacts on ecosystem services

Medium Translate scientific findings and information

into policy and law

Alteration of key ecological process drivers Short-medium

Alter key management strategies Introduce clearly defined adaptive

management

Increased extent of malaria and heat stress will impact eco-tourism

Short-medium

Increase malaria control programs Intensify marketing strategies for cooler winter

times when malaria risk is lowest Enforce clean energy requirements

Water

Variability in water quantity Short-medium term

Set up ‘drought’ committees to disseminate information and make decisions for the long and short term

Reductions in water quality

Short-medium Invest in existing efforts e.g. Working for Water

Provincial and local Municipality

Disaster management; increases in extreme events

Short - long

Regulate and enforce developments that will buffer against disasters e.g. water storage

Improve disaster management plans based on future predictions

Risks require improved facilities

ImmediateMaintain and develop existing infrastructure e.g. maintain sewage works and waste facilities

Local communityFood and economic security threatened by climatic extremes

ImmediateEncourage sustainable harvesting and use of plants

by communityNeed to explore alternative energy sources

Forestry

Health of work force; malaria, heat stress and respiratory / immune conditions

Immediate

More research and development of hybrids

Species site matching Immediate Unknown

Stakeholder responses cont.

Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010

Cross-Sectoral Concerns

Uncertainty of the extent of change and the lack of baseline data

Immediate

Increased capacity and budget for baseline monitoring

More precise models and accurate information

More directed research and development

Increased presence of pests, pathogens, alien plant invasion and bush encroachment

Immediate

Use existing resources e.g. Working for Water and Working for Fire

Research into land management plans to reduce tree cover

General adaptation options

Capacity, funding and knowledge dissemination Increased awareness and climate change education in local communities Local adaptive capacity (e.g. municipalities) needs to be strengthened Input short term climate predictions into existing management strategies and promote

scenario planning

Disadvantages and ‘to do’ list

Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010

GIS accuracy depends upon the source data

Inter-conversions between ArcGIS 9.1, ArcGIS 9.2, Edrisi Kilamanjaro/Taiga, and various freeware options

Finding the best way to communicate climate change information to a range of stakeholders

Tutorial and exercise

Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010

Been provided with: GIS Manual (with background information on GIS) K2C Handbook Provinces of South Africa Towns of South Africa Kruger National Park Rainfall and temperature projections from 2 models Hawths Tools 3 free GIS programs

Use this time to work through the tutorials (no/limited GIS background) and exercise (advanced)