THE USE OF GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES AND SPATIAL ANALYSIS
IN BIODIVERSITY STUDIES
by
Brian Klinkenberg
Department of Geography, University of British Columbia
Introduction
The advent of geospatial technologies has dramatically changed the way we study the natural world. Spatial analyists now use advanced remote sensing techniques to assess climate change and air pollution transport, GPS and remote sensing to study migration of elephants and wildebeasts, and GIS mapping software to map and analyze species distributions. In this section, we explore spatial analysis and the role of geospatial technologies in exploring and understanding biodiversity. The evolution and widespread use of these geospatial technologies has opened new windows on how we view biodiversity and associated complexities. Additionally, the availability of these technologies at the public level has brought in new avenues of data gathering, with VGI (Volunteer Geographic Information) and citizen science playing prominent roles in some areas of study.
What is Spatial Analysis?
Spatial analysis is the quantitative study of phenomena that are located in space. As defined by Goodchild (2001), spatial analysis encompasses a general ability to manipulate spatial data into different forms and extract additional and deeper meaning. There is growing significance of space, spatiality, location, and place in social science and physical science research. In particular, spatial analysis plays an increasing role in Conservation Biology as the spatial dimension of species and habitats gains recognition.
What are Geospatial Technologies?
In a simple way, geospatial technologies include the 'things' that collect and process spatial data. That is, they are technologies that can tell us where something is on the landscape, how it uses the landscape, and even tell us details about the landscape (for example, slope, aspect, elevation). They include:
These technologies are used to collect multi-temporal spatial data (data collected from the same spot at different times), such as data collected by satellite. Spatial analysts use the data collected and processed by these technologies, along with statistics and computer modelling, to analyze research problems and develop predictions. The use of these technologies has dramatically changed how we conduct research and has led to some novel approaches in biodiversity studies and the related field of conservation biology.
Using Spatial Analysis and Geospatial Technologies in Biodiversity Research: Some Examples from our Research
Geospatial technologies and spatial analyses have opened new windows of observation in biodiversity studies. They allow us to obtain more data, to view more data, and to visualize the results of those data. Uses range from work in developing safe nature reserves for elephants to locating bird colonies to analyizing forest harvest activities. Here are a few examples of related projects conducted by our research lab:
Elephants Don't Climb Hills
Graduate student Jake WAll used geospatial technologies in his research in conservation biology and biodiversity. He used GPS and remote sensing to study elephant movement and behaviour, aimed at learning where elephants spend their time, where reserves should be located, and how to reduce conflict between elephants and local villages. Radio-collaring elephants and using satellite techology to send gathered information directly to a computer (in real time) is providing novel insights into how elephant conservation might be managed. One outcome of Jake's work is the discovery that elephants don't climb hills, which has direct relevance to elephant conservation. Mapping elephant movements, including seasonal tracking, has shown where they spend their time, and that they will almost never climb slopes. This has direct implications for the development of adequate nature reserves for elephants, and could point to shifts in settlement patterns that would allow crop protection and peaceful co-existence.
Bird Species Losses in Vancouver
Urban development in Vancouver, and the associated loss of forest habitat, has led to several species losses in the area. In research conducted by graduate student Kenneth Er, Kenneth combined biogeographic theory with spatial analysis and prediction models in order to allow us to assess whether or not these losses are at expected levels. That is, as predicted by biogeographic theory, in particular the species-area curve. Kenneth's results showed that the actual species loss in Vancouver matched the predicted loss (of fourteen species). This work points to the importance of habitat fragments in urban areas in order to maintain species diversity, and the need for urban planners to incorporate fragments as critical species habitat.
Predictng Rare Species Occurrences
To protect rare species we have to know where they occur, and sometimes data on this is lacking. In order to facilitate protection of potential sites, predictive mapping is sometimes used in order to 'know' where else a species might occur. In our lab, we studied the predicted occurrence of a threatened orchid species in BC--the phantom orchid--in order to facilitate inventory and discovery of new populations. By compiling information and data on known populations--including data on geology, soils type, slope, aspect, and other key factors--we were able to show that the phantom orchid is found primarily on one particular soil group within its known range in BC. Mapping for predicted occurrences of this species were then produced that allowed resource managers to prioritize areas for inventory and discovery of additional populations.
Climate and Vegetation Change
Foresters and biologists in British Columbia noticed that yellow-cedar in the province was dying, with die-off occurring in undisturbed forests. Investigation revealed that the greatest concentration of dying trees was located in the North Island - Central Coast Forest District in BC. Past research has systematically eliminated biotic factors as agents of cedar decline. Research that is more recent suggests that climate change is a critical factor in the decline. Graduate student Claire Wooton used remote sensing and GIS to investigate how climate change is interacting with soil/site conditions in this region (resulting in increased rates of freezing injury that causes fine root mortality and subsequent crown death). Claire has concluded that climate change is the factor behind this die-off.
Mapping BC Biodiversity and the Role of Citizen Science
E-Flora BC and E-Fauna BC are two biogeographic atlases (biodiversity informatics) that provide detailed information on BC wild species. In the atlases, interactive mapping software is used to provide detailed distribution mapping. Interactive mapping software allows the presentation of data in various ways, an important one being the construction of data layers. That is, varying layers of information (in this case biogeographic information) can be placed over the distribution maps to allow investigation into the correlations between physical features (such as climate and geology) and species occurrences. This allows us to gain insights into what drives species distributions. Graduate student Alan McConchie is using E-Flora BC as part of a study on the social geography of the web, and the role and value of volunteered geographic information (VGI).
LINKS
GPS and GIS Methods in an African Rain Forest: Applications to Tropical Ecology and Conservation
Please cite these pages as:
Author, Date. Page title. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2010. Biodiversity of British Columbia [www.biodiversity.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
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