GIS as a Tool to Promote Sustainable Environmental Management - Term Paper Example

GIS as a tool to promote sustainable environmental management Introduction Managing biodiversity and sustaining the increasing human population is a major challenge today. There is need to have appropriate data to be able to make complex decisions needed in conserving biodiversity and attaining sustainable development. Having accurate and reliable information about both natural and human resources is the best way to ensure that the environment is sustained and managed in a more effective manner. This can be achieved by using a Geographic Information System (GIS) which helps in collecting, storing, retrieving and displaying spatial information. GIS allows geographically tied non-map data to be analyzed (Wikle 1991, p.28). It allows maps and visual display of various results from both spatial and non-spatial analyses (Kuzyk 2012, p.31-2). It mainly deals with processing of geographical data (Patil 2012, p.73). With GIS software, environmental planners can easily manage multiple types of geographical data, measure change like wildlife habitat encroachment, and model events like the impact of drought on forestation among others. GIS users globally share ideas on how to protect the environment and achieve a sustainable future. Maintaining the ecological resources and the overall environment can be achieved when there is a sound database and overall information about the environment including natural and human resources and all these is possible when GIS is used. Therefore, GIS serves as the most valuable tool for the conservation of biodiversity and attaining a sustainable future. This paper explores the concept GIS and how it promotes sustainable environmental management with the first section presents the meaning, various components and principles of GIS and the second part discusses the role of GIS in promoting sustainable environment management. Meaning, components and principles of GIS A Geographic Information System is a technological tool that is used to capture, manage and assist in analyzing all forms of geographical references data. GIS refers to computer-based systems that help in automation, storing, retrieving, analyzing and presentation of any geographically relation information. According to Vine, Degnan and Hanchette (1997, p.598), GIS is a powerful computer mapping and analyzing technology that helps in assessing and analyzing large amounts of information within a given geographic context. It is an information technology that is used to create databases with spatial information applicable to human settlements and natural environment (Farid 2002, p.98). GIS play a significant role in managing, analyzing and disseminating geographic knowledge. In the contemporary world, GIS is one of the most important tools for communication and it lays a leading role in influencing individuals’ views of the world. Indeed, GIS service as popularized the use of geospatial data today. It can deal with and communicate geographic information to many individuals effectively. GIS offers an essential framework to manage both human and natural activities since it stimulates the integration and analysis of complex data making the information readily accessible to interested individuals. More so, GIS framework assist in the assimilation of physical measurements and analytical methods into a uniform system which in turn allows further analysis and perpetuates sustainable development. In addition, GIS has improved individuals’ perceptions and understanding of the natural processes taking place in the world. GIS assists in increasing efficiency, reducing costs and promote a better understanding and decision making of a given phenomenon. Some of the basic components of a geographic information system and these include hardware, software, database, organization setup also known as people, and methods among others (Hong, Su-fang and Wen-yi 2005, p.47). To begin with, hardware comprises of input, storage, and output devices like the computer, disk drives, geographical positioning system, and scanner among others. Secondly, the software component is the program that ensures that the computer functions and accordingly and performs its tasks effectively. GIS software depends on an underlying database management system to effectively store and manage geographic data. GIS software provides the necessary tools required in storing, analyzing and presenting geographical information. More so, this software is capable of performing simple to tasks and multiple analyses. GIS software can deal with any form of data including text, tables, video and graphics among others. However, the choice of software component is based on the kind of data to be handled and the purpose to be accomplished. Database is another and the most essential components of a GIS. Data can be retrieved form maps, field surveys, and satellite images among others. The quality of the information produced by the software and hardware relies on the accuracy, relevance and quality of data that is stored in the computer. In most cases, GISs uses database management system to develop and maintain a database that will help in organizing and managing data. Further, the people who are capable of operating and managing GIS should be hired in an organization. Agreeably, GIS should be placed in an appropriate organizational context for it to be used in more effective manner. Software, hardware and database control the way geographical information is handled but they may not be successful and so placing GIS in the right organization context is necessary for it to be used effectively and successfully. Offering GIS training will enable many individuals to effectively operate and manage hardwire and software (Wikle 1991, p.31). It is necessary to have experts, effective managers and planners and make sound policies in order to make best use of GIS technology. Lastly, methods also form part of the GIS in that an effective GIS operates based on a well-designed plan. Accordingly, the basic principles of GIS include spatial data structures and sources, spatial tool, spatial data display and query, map generation, and basic spatial analysis among others (Ming-Hsiang 2004, p.156-7). The role of GIS in promoting sustainable environment management Undoubtedly, Geographic Information System plays a leading role in promoting sustainable environment management. Environment management is one of the major forces that motivate developments in GIS (Goodchild 2003, p.495). Many industries including mining, agricultural and geologists use GIS in one way or another during their operations. There are many complementary roles played by GIS to ensure that the environment is managed effectively. Primarily, GIS provides a means of converting the spatial data into digital form which can be stored, retrieved, presented, analyzed, manipulated and reproduced in a new form available for visual display or hard copy reproduction. Given the large amount of environment data that needs to be compiled and stored effectively for analysis, GIS serves as the most appropriate tool in organizing, storing, analyzing, and presenting spatial information. The impact on environment and biodiversity resulting from processes such as urbanization and industrialization needs to be assessed carefully in order to attain sustainable development. GIS analysis assists in evaluating large amount of data and allows decision makers to understand the potential environmental consequences of a given process or project. Good environment management needs good collection and monitoring of immense amount of data and this can be made possible by using GIS (Keyworth and Healey 1996, p.20). Secondly, GIS can help planners or policy makers to make an appropriate plan for sustainable development. GIS helps in mapping natural resources and marking regions under risk, identify the cause and effect and come up with possible solutions. For instance, agricultural planners can use geographic databases including soil, topography and rainfall so as to develop an agro-ecological map. In addition, forestry planners can make use of GIS to monitor the possible effects of deforestation. Again, the wildlife officer can use GIS to determine the size of animal populations and potential habitat areas for specific species. Therefore, GIS is a useful tool in enhancing and facilitating wildlife conservation policies worldwide. Mountains for instance have different displays and in most cases, the planning and decision making in these regions are largely influenced by geographic information. Geographic information offers a good framework to integrate any information needed in understanding the ecosystem. Studies about GIS and related technologies in the management of natural resources such as water, flora and fauna revealed that GIS play a crucial role in displaying and managing spatial data which can be utilized in the different phases of the disaster cycle. Therefore, both environmental and ecological planning are necessary as they will enable planners to choose the best available land that assists in reducing environmental effects and preserve biodiversity. Such planning will provide an appropriate framework to assess the impacts of developmental processes such as industrialization on biodiversity. This will in turn helps in analyzing and evaluating the impacts of alternative processes. Moreover, GIS can be used to construct models to be able to analyze trends and identify factors affecting the environment and assess the possible effects of these factors on the environment. These models can as well be helpful in assessing environmental impact or displaying possible consequences of planning decisions affecting the effective use and management of resources. Moreover, GIS provides a platform for interested individuals and institutions to share and upgrade data and information and facilitate instant communication network. One of the GIS-based applications that enable the public to participate in the developmental programs is public participatory geographical information system (Ahamed et al 2009, p.934). Furthermore, GIS can be used as an effective media tool to create and raise awareness about natural and human resources as well as biodiversity conservation via environmental education. GIS is used in integrating data and by doing so, GIS user is able to clearly understand, conceptualize, analyze and visualize what is happening in the real world. Today, many nations use GIS when planning and implementing policies promoting sustainable environmental management. GIS is an essential tool that facilitates natural resource management initiatives and allow societal members to participate in the decision making process. Nevertheless, GIS initiated environmental modeling offers new capabilities for determining the distribution of any given ecological phenomenon. Various modeling such as habitat modeling, soil erosion modeling and vulnerability modeling among others help in creating new maps of the likely happening of some phenomenon. Therefore, a framework that emphasizes on ecological and environmental planning in developmental projects will help in attaining the sustainable development. Conclusion Environment management has been a major challenge in modern societies due to increasing human activities and processes such as urbanization and industrialization. In order to manage environment and attain sustainable development, there is need to have an access to reliable and accurate data to be able to make such complex decisions. A geographic information system is the most appropriate tool to make complex decisions and manage the environment in a more effective manner. GIS allows planners to collect, store, retrieve and present spatial data and this is necessary in promoting environmental management. Proper management of ecological resources and the overall environment is only possible if there is sound data and information about the environment and this is not a big deal if GIS is used. GIS is made up of hardware, software, database, people and methods among others. All these components play a significant role in ensuring that GIS functions effectively to store and manage geographic data. GIS is a complicated information technology that needs experts and skilled or trained personnel to be able to operate and manage it effectively. More so, GIS has basic principles which include spatial data structures, tool, spatial data display and query, map generation and basic spatial analysis among others. GIS play a significant role in promoting sustainable environment management, for instance, it provides a means of converting spatial data into digital form for it to be stored, retrieved, presented and analyzed. Because of large environmental large that requires compilation and storage for further analysis, GIS is the best information technology to do this. More so, GIS allows planners and policy makers to make the most suitable plan for sustainable development. Notably, geographic information provides a unifying framework for integrating any data to be able to understand the ecosystem accordingly. In addition, GIS is used to create models that help in analyzing trends and identify forces that affect the environment. Nevertheless, GIS provides a perfect platform that allows individuals and organizations to share and upgrade data aiming at attaining biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It also serves as an effective tool in creating awareness on biodiversity conservation through environmental education. Therefore, GIS is the most appropriate tool to promote and sustainable environmental management. References Ahamed, Tofael,  Khan M., Takigawa Tomohiro, Koike Masayuki, Tasnim Farhat, and Zaman J. 2009, Resource Management For Sustainable Development: A Community and GIS-Based Approach, Vol.11, Issue 5, 933-954. 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