GIS Report for a Local US Non-Government Organization - Coursework Example

GIS Report GIS Report GIS broadly refers to the Geographic Information System which typically deals with the land and space information. It generates and maintains a record of details associated with different streets, towns, cities and even longitude and latitude (Introduction to Geographic Information System GIS, 2007). It is a computer based information system which helps in creating, manipulating, analyzing, storing and exhibiting the information (What is GIS, 2014). For instance, it can be used to analyze digital maps or satellite images while on the other hand it also facilitates in global positioning system. GIS is mostly used by the government organizations in order to integrate different types of information which is then used to make policies, exploration, statistical analyses or to predict future problems. It actually plays a vital role in formulating possible solutions for the upcoming land or space related issues (Geographic Information System, 2007). This paper aims to present a GIS Report for a local US Non-Government Organization which caters to the food needs of Africans while extending major support in terms of natural resources to other countries as well. The organization is required to critically analyze efficiency, effectiveness and limitations of GIS system in dealing with the predicted scarcity of natural resources in the near future. Furthermore, the paper will give recommendations that either the company should adopt GIS system for its specific planning and operations or it should use some other methods of generating and analyzing geographic information. Problem Generally natural resources are known as the materials which are found under the earth or which are grown over its surface. For instance, coal, oil, gas, water, vegetables, fruits etc. These are broadly divided into two basic categories namely: renewable resources and non renewable resources. Renewable resources can be produced again once they are finished such as the vegetables. However, non renewable resources cannot be reproduced and hence they constitute the most valuable natural asset for mankind (Natural Resources, 2014). Research indicates that the world is now experiencing significant climate changes which are closely associated with the scarcity of natural resources in the near future. Therefore it has become vitally important to investigation the possible decrease in natural resources while also evaluating the impact of security measures. NGOs which are providing food and other necessary things for the continuation of life in poor countries such as Africa are showing greater concern towards this issue. The high concern is basically due to two reasons: one that people are going to face extreme living condition in the upcoming years hence Africans are required to prepare for it ahead of time. On the other hand scarcity of resources will certainly cause rebellion, unrest, competition and conflict among different nations all over the world. This can be further understood with the expert’s opinion of ‘water wars’ in the 21st century (Klare, 2013). The intensity of climate changes and the subsequent scarcity of natural resources can be easily depicted by the recent earthquakes and tsunami around the world. One of the most astonishing facts is that the overall resource conflict, food riots and extensive migration of people from one part of the world to another is expected to initiate from the African regions (Klare, 2013). This would then lead to the central Asia and the south Asian regions. Although these places are predicted to face the most adverse conditions but some of the consequences will be faced by the developed countries as well. Eventually there won’t be any place on the planet earth which would remain safe from the destructive reduction in natural resources (Klare, 2013). Following in-depth analysis of the problem will further clarify the intensity of this situation. It is very obvious that when poor African regions will face significant decline in food resources, oil and gas then they would create unrest in the entire region. This would be subsequently followed by social and political issues eventually people will witness a global war. Here, it is highly substantial to notify that there won’t be complete scarcity of resources rather the supply of necessary items would not be sufficient enough for the industrialized and urbanized population (Klare, 2013). Once it has been clearly identified and comprehended that Africans in the upcoming decades are going to be affected by the climate change and food shortage then it becomes primary concern to establish multidisciplinary approach and adequate solutions to meets such challenges (Mwiturubani & Wyk, 2010, p. 10). Here, the scientists, policy makers and NGOs would have to play a significant role in order to identify the actual intensity of destruction while also formulating the possible solutions. Solution Geographical Information System can be used to generate relevant and reliable information on the scarcity of natural resources. GIS has the capacity to offer effective and efficient solutions so as to make policies in this regard. For instance, GIS facilitates the scientists and managers to comprehend and anticipate the rapid changes taking place in our surroundings. This subsequently helps in understanding the global challenges and the upcoming threats and opportunities (Abukhater, 2011). Research reveals that by applying the tools and techniques of geographical information system planners can easily gather the relevant information regarding environmental or spatial issues. The results obtained by the GIS analysis can be actually used to improve the quality of life while on the other hand it helps in future betterment, increasing or restoring the resources and maintaining peace and tranquility all over the world. However, no ordinary individual can effectively use the GIS because it certainly requires spatial thinking and therefore GIS tools and techniques are limited to the professional resource planners including people who are authorized to conduct such extensive research and analysis (Abukhater, 2011). The scarcity of natural resources can be predicted and potential solutions can be made through spatial mapping of the African region. For instance, maps are the most commonly used geographical tools which actually help in identifying the actual location of different resources on a particular land. Moreover, they can categorize the obtained information on the basis of different towns and cities (Geographical Information System: Tools for Community Mapping, 2013). Typical GIS Mapping also helps in locating coastal erosions, historical remains in terms of natural resources and the areas suitable for vegetation. Spatial analysis of the data would facilitate in gaining insights about the scarcity of resources in Africa. This is further defined through the following description (Geographical Information System: Tools for Community Mapping, 2013): GIS analysis actually distinguishes between problems on the basis of communities and areas which help a policy maker in defining the required solution oriented variables. It will further illustrate the relationship between scarcity of resources, change in climate and the overall rise in population rate. Most importantly GIS will help in identifying the most crucial areas which will be facing adverse consequences in times of food shortage. This will subsequently help the NGO in concentrating its efforts on the exact location. GIS is able to strengthen informed decisions while giving web based tools and techniques (Kim, 2012, p.286). In addition to this researchers and scientists have also argued that GIS reveals such relationships among different environmental factors which cannot be indentified otherwise (Abukhater, 2011). Use of GIS data in similar studies also substantiates that the problem of potential scarcity of resources can be easily tackled through the effective usage of this system (Damte, 2012, p.12). Although this won’t be an easy task but the data analysis which would be conducted and the entire generation of results will actually help in further studies of natural resources especially associated with the African region. Evidence Planners particularly working in the NGO would have to engage in number of activities which generally revolve around three basic components i.e. environment, economy and equity. These three variables are then supposed to be judged with respect to the scarcity of natural resources in Africa whereas the centre of attention would always be the long term sustainability. In addition to this the planners would also be required to incorporate public and private sector activities while studying the major resource conflicts currently existing in the society (Abukhater, 2011). One of the most important factors in environmental studies is the development of new resources, tools and equipment. This need of information gathering and spatial data analysis is greatly satisfied by the geographical information system which actually helps in creating entirely new approaches while building a positive relationship between human and the natural environment (Abukhater, 2011). Another evidence for using GIS for the issue of future scarcity of resources is that it gives a detailed structure for planning and benefitting mass population. For instance, it will help in facility management, natural disasters, assets distribution etc. On the other hand it will also facilitate in modeling the particular areas which are expected to face extreme food shortages. This can be done using the multiple-criteria evaluation (MCE) mechanism found in GIS and through utilizing various other criterions (Abukhater, 2011). GIS will also reduce the assumed risks and difficulties in geographical data analysis. Moreover, such a comprehensive planning will be helpful in identifying similar problems in other parts of the world (Johnson, 2011, p.71). Limitations One of the most significant limitations which are found in GIS especially associated with the geographical data analysis for scarcity of resources in Africa is the reactive approach (Abukhater, 2011). GIS will analyze data and generate results which will define possible measures and steps to be taken once the food shortage would occur in African. Although it will help the policy makers in formulating substantial solutions but on the whole it will negatively affect the national interests of people. Furthermore, large number of people will get affected in this situation and comparatively small social riots are expected to rise. Hence in these circumstances the implementation of research conducted far before the actual event would be of little importance. Apart from reactive approach other limitations include error, precision and accuracy. For instance, GIS works on computer and web based structures and therefore there is always a risk of values misrepresentation which can generate results with significant errors (Error, Accuracy and Precision, 2006. Precision on the other side relates to the measurement of GIS database description. Accuracy defines the degree to which the generated results can be accepted or not (Error, Accuracy and Precision, 2006). All of these three tools are highly susceptible to representing wrong information or giving entirely inaccurate results. Appropriate access to the authentic tools and techniques is also identified as the major limiting factor for utilizing GIS (Geographic Information System, 2013) since the unavailability of adequate information and resources would not really help in using it. Recommendations The above discussion and critical analysis of geographical information system reveals that the organization must implement a GIS based approach. This will be helpful in generating substantial results regarding the future scarcity of resources in Africa because GIS is provides reliable tools and techniques for research and analysis of environmental issues. On the other hand it also facilitates in giving a comprehensive view of the entire issue. However, GIS does have certain limitations which cannot be overlooked when implementing it for this particular problem. Hence it would be highly recommended that the organization should utilize GIS while explaining the critical areas of the data in order to make clear and proactive decisions (McCloud, 2013). GIS must also be closely recognized and incorporated with other computer software (Wilson, 2011) and online website so as to protect data and also to structure it in the best possible form. The site under consideration i.e. different regions of Africa should be uniquely identified according to the permit number, code of the commodity and identification number (Recommendations for GIS Solutions, 2013). In addition to this the issues pertaining to the error, accuracy and precision should be reduced by periodic assessment of different GIS tools and techniques while identifying any lapses in their performance and effectiveness. Hiring an equally qualified and professional team for the planning and solutions of scarcity of resources will also help the organization in using GIS more efficiently. References Abukhater, A 2011, ‘GIS for Planning and Community Development: Solving Global Challenges’, Directions Magazine, viewed 21 January 2014, Damte, A 2012, ‘Coping with Fuel wood Scarcity’, Environment for Development, pp. 1-32. Error, Accuracy and Precision 2006, Colorado Education, Colorado, viewed 21 January 2014, Geographic Information Systems 2013, US Environmental Protection Agency, USA, viewed 21 January 2014, Geographical Information Systems: Tools for Community Mapping 2013, Community Tool Box, USA, viewed 21 January 2014, Introduction to Geographic Information System GIS 2007, Great Lakes Coastal Planning, Madison, viewed 21 January 2014, Johnson, V 2011, ‘What is the evidence that scarcity and Shocks In Freshwater Resources Cause Conflict Instead Of Promoting Collaboration?’ Collaboration for Environmental Evidence, pp. 1-180. Kim, J 2012, ‘Evidence Based Analyses of Hospital Site Selection for the Aging Population in Dallas, Taxes’, American Society of Civil Engineers, pp. 286-293. Klare, MT 2013, How Resource Scarcity and Climate Change Could Produce a Global Explosion, The Nation, viewed 21 January 2014, McCloud, D 2013, Geographical Information Systems, Aliansi Rakyat Untuk Perubahan, USA, viewed 21 January 2014, Mwiturubani, DA & Wyk, JA 2010, ‘Climate Change and Natural Resources Conflicts in Africa’, Institute for Security Studies, pp. 1-241. Natural Resources 2014, US Environmental Protection Agency, USA, viewed 21 January 2014, Recommendations for GIS Solutions 2013, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, USA, viewed 21 January 2014, What is GIS 2014, Environmental Systems Research Institute, USA, viewed 21 January 2014, Wilson, AC 2011, ‘GIS Recommendation Report’, Hookerton, NC, viewed 21 January 2014, Read More