Saving The Ghost Cat of Central Asia

How GIS technology is helping towards preserving and protecting a species.

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#snowleopard #wild 

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Esri is the world leader in GIS (geographic information system) modeling and mapping software and technology. This site features GIS mapping software, desktop GIS, server GIS, developer GIS, mobile GIS, GIS Web services, business GIS, Internet mapping, GIS solutions, GIS training and education, demos, data, spatial analysis tools, consulting, services, partners, customer service, and support.

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GIS technology and its use in ecological restoration

"SLC is now using GIS to enumerate snow leopards and map their distribution with far greater confidence. It uses GIS to improve population estimates by incorporating spatially explicit information on camera trap sites, habitat conditions, and photo-capture history of snow leopards. The introduction of remotely triggered cameras and sophisticated tools for extracting genetic material from scats has revolutionized SLC's ability to learn about snow leopards." This would only be possible with the development of GIS technologies. With the scientists being able to develop a better understanding of where the general population of snow leopards are, compared to where the humans and livestock at risk are; we can develop better plans for the future. For example should we move the people/ communities? or can we restore some of the snow leopard habitat in hope they would move naturally to the new location, away from the urban areas and peoples live stock? 

http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/fall10articles/saving-the-ghost-cat.html

M. Jackson, R. (2010, January 1). Saving the Ghost Cat of Central Asia. Retrieved February 14, 2015.

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A short video of the snow leopard in its natural habitat. 

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#GhostCatOfCentralAsia

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In this particular example, theuse of GIS software is incorporated for the purpose of gathering information pertinent to the conservancy of snow leopards. The software’s ability to utilize spatial modeling makes the exceptionally difficult task of tracking the elusive cat, much more efficient. Through the use of GIS software, understanding the habitats and frequent routes of the ghost cat, allows for a vastly more accurate look into populations; as well as aiding in the conservation work being done to protect the species. In the case of these snow leopards, one of the biggest concerns in the effort to promote a viable population is the local farming of sheep and how the leopards’ preying tendencies are disposed to result in negative outcomes for both parties. Using GIS, a better understanding of this cats’ natural prey and topography to which these prey species belong, can help researchers and conservers map a plan to avoid as little contact with livestock and their farmers and the snow leopard as possible. A combination of solid field techniques and the use of GIS, allows for substantial work to be accomplished in this field, and gives the ghost cat a chance.

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Advantages and Disadvantages

Using GIS technology in restoration work provides both advantages and disadvantages. In the specific case of its help in starting restoration work with the Snow Leopard of Central Asia one is hard pressed to find disadvantages. The advantages are numerous and extend beyond just the conservation efforts surrounding Snow Leopards. GIS technology provides an effective way of putting together already collected data on where the animals were captured, to provide a more effective way of figuring out where in the future they could be found. It helps to also map out appropriate habitat areas, by layering on various amounts of data, also called multi-criteria decision analysis, be it elevation, vegetation, or slope steepness, and being able to make inquiries as to what areas meet all of the habitat requirements for these cats, and for other animals. Without this technology, though not impossible to figure out these boundaries, it would be much more difficult and labour intensive, which in the long run would be less cost effective. In this sense it also takes out any human-bias and uncertainty when it comes to large samples of data which leads to more concrete scientific analysis. It is also helpful then for those that aren’t well versed in every aspect of a habitat.

Any disadvantages would come from the limitations of the technology which in these basic cases aren’t many. There is still the work of gathering the data and plugging it into the program, which doubtlessly takes a large amount of people-power, but this is unavoidable, and would be needed even if GIS was not used.

Overall GIS technologies provide a great help to restoration ecology, and the open source style of the software means that people are always coming up with better and more ways to use it. It is an unavoidable and welcomed technology in the restoration field.

Citations

Jackson, R., & Garvette, C. (2010, September 1). Saving the Ghost Cat of Cenral Asia. Retrieved February 10, 2015, from http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/fall10articles/saving-the-ghost-cat.html

Kiker, G., Bridges, T., Varghese, A., Seager, T., & Linkov, I. (2009). Application of multicriteria decision analysis in environmental decision making. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 1(2), 95-108.

#GIS #SnowLeopard #endangered