Product Description
As global population continues to grow, mankind must learn to balance consumption and conservation of the planet's scarece commodoties. Geographic information system (GIS) technology brings a new perspective to the challenges faced by natural resource managers. How can agricultural yields be improved without depleting the soil? Where should timber be cut to best protect endangered species? How can landscapes be restored after the extraction of oil or minerals? What can be done to keep land development from choking rivers and coastlines with silt?
This book presents a dozen case studies of real organizations using GIS to address these and other pressing issues of natural resource management. Case studies include: Oregon Department of Forestry, City of New York, World Resources Institute, US Environmental Protection Agency, Chevron Corporation Seaside High School, Delaware Coastal Management Program, US Borax, Portand Metro, USDA Forest Service, New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection, and Southcorp Wines Estate.
Managing Natural Resources with GIS provides a behind-the-scenes look at how geographic information systems are used to frame questions and find answers to problems that affect us all.
Bonus CD - Test drive ArcView GIS, the easy-to-use software for viewing and analyzing geographic information. Learn what GIS is and how it works in six multimedia presentations. See and hear how ArcView GIS software performs basic GIS tasks. Use a trial copy of ArcView GIS software to work through a tutorial using a variety of data.
From the Publisher
Managing earth's limited natural resources has emerged as perhaps the most crucial problem now faced by humanity. It is our hope that all of the competing interests around the globe will eventuallly use GIS to find some common ground. If you are concerned with the future, and conservation, of our planet buy this book and and discover how you can use GIS to make a difference. Please read the Excerpt section of this page for more information.