Coastal Services Center

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GIS

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An example of GIS data layers.

What Is GIS?

A geographic information system (GIS) is a compilation of hardware, software, and data that enables users to

• Produce high-quality maps at a variety of scales
• Store and maintain a large quantity of geographically referenced information
• Visualize and simplify complex data
• Perform complex analyses on data
• Easily make changes to data

GIS helps streamline the process of analyzing a variety of data types. Data can be in the form of reports, maps, tables, or historical records. These documents can be located in a variety of places and in many formats. A GIS is able to integrate all of these resources for display and analysis and share this information with many users for all types of projects.

MPA Application

Although GIS technology is relatively mainstream within coastal resource management, the integration of social science data into these maps or spatial analyses is an emerging trend within the MPA community. GIS can be useful for documenting human use patterns, identifying culturally sensitive areas, prioritizing regions for additional public access, or highlighting demographic trends within a community.

GIS also provides a mechanism to encourage stakeholder participation for site selection and impact analysis. Within a public meeting, for example, users may be permitted to view and interact with the data as management issues are discussed. GIS functionality may also be customized in a decision support tool that allows stakeholders to weigh the importance of certain issues or data sets and select regions based on assigned criteria. Often, even groups with disparate views will identify regions of overlap among the selected areas, potentially providing common ground and making the issue less polarized.

For more information on GIS applications see GIS – Applied

Expertise Needed

Basic manipulation and simple map display within a GIS can be performed with minimal experience; however, access to training allows users to conduct more complex analyses. Many MPA sites already have access to the required software and personnel. Still, depending on the needs of the program and the resources available, it may be helpful to seek additional expertise through a partnership agreement or external contract.

Advantages

• Helps users visualize complex or inaccessible data
• May indicate links between people or between people and the environment that may not otherwise have been identified
• Is effective for outreach and education
• May help visualize "what if" scenarios
• Does not require advanced technical expertise to conduct basic mapping functions

Limitations

• Cost of data and software packages may be prohibitive
• Cost of experts, such as GIS specialists or programmers, may be prohibitive
• Collection of data may require specialized equipment or software
• Results are limited to the amount and quality of available data
• Data may be hard to access because of confidentiality or proprietary issues

Case Studies

Additional Resources

Coastal Geospatial Information: Examples of Internet Resources
Links to coast-related spatial data, training resources, and metadata information from a variety of sources.

What Is GIS?
Basic GIS information from GIS.com, an information source created by ESRI.

MPA Technology Needs Assessment
An assessment published in December 2003 by the Coastal Services Center gauging technical capacity within the marine management community and documenting MPA-related applications of technology.

Social Sciences: Interest in GIS Grows
The role of GIS in social science. By M. F Goodchild,. University of California, Santa Barbara.

Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI)
One of the leading developers of GIS software, ESRI's Web site provides examples of how GIS is used and background information for all levels of users.