Tools & Resources
GIS Tools and Resources as well as training on how to use these tools is provided to help aid the community in systematic conservation planning. These tools range from web-enabled map viewers to data repositories to specific pieces of conservation planning software. Also included in this area are decision support tools (e.g., the Riparian Restoration tool) that can be dynamically executed by land managers to solve on-the-ground problems. Collectively, these resources are aimed at supporting both the casual and advanced GIS user. In addition, you will find links to additional GIS tools such as open-source software or extensions and add-ons to support desktop GIS.
Assessing Future Energy Development
Assessing Future Energy Development across the Appalachian LCC uses models that combine data on energy development trends and identifies where these may intersect with important natural resource and ecosystem services to give a more comprehensive picture of what potential energy development could look like in the Appalachians. A web-based mapping tool allows policy makers, land management agencies, industries, and others to see where development may likely occur and intersect with important natural values to inform regional landscape planning decisions. Ultimately this information is intended to support dialogue and conservation on how to effectively avoid, minimize, and offset impacts from energy development to important natural areas and the valuable services they provide.
Riparian Restoration Decision Support Tool
An innovative riparian planting and restoration decision support tool is now available to the conservation community. This user-friendly tool allows managers and decision-makers to rapidly identify and prioritize areas along the banks of rivers, streams, and lakes for restoration, making these ecosystems more resilient to disturbance and future changes in climate. It will also help the conservation community invest limited conservation dollars wisely, helping to deliver sustainable resources.
Decision Support & Web Map Viewers
Existing tools and map viewers which aid in the exploration of funded and reference data.
Extensions and Other Tools
Supported tools and user-community developed extensions to aid in workflow. In the last few years, we have witnessed a significant shift in approaches to creating geospatial applications. Organizations are moving away from monolithic, desktop-only applications based on proprietary software and embracing modular applications, based on open source software, which aim to support a wider set of devices and operating systems. This document provides an overview of some of the popular options for these architectures and describes the functionality and relative strengths of each. We have divided this document into two sections, one for component products, and another for “stack” products which provide pre-configured integrations of these tools with some of the heavy lifting done for us. Component Products This following products are generally intended to be used as modules, and combined together with other tools in various combinations to create custom applications. Visit our AppLCC Open Source GIS Portal Conservation Design
Data Needs Assessment Foundational Research for Appalachian Region
The Data Needs Assessment research project was undertaken to review a variety of resources on conservation planning - such as datasets and tools - and provide packages of products, data, and identified gaps to improve conservation planning in the Appalachian Region. A suite of core conservation planning products and data from principal investigators at Clemson University are found below. These products and information generated from this foundational assessment were incorporated into the Interactive Conservation Planning and Design effort and in the drafting of the regional conservation plan for the Cooperative.
QGIS - An Open Source Tool for Making Maps
QGIS is a free and open source Geographic Information System, similar to ARCGIS, for creating, editing, and annotating maps and spatial data.
Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC): project planning to streamline environmental review
IPaC is a project planning tool from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service that helps streamlines their environmental review process. It helps you 1) Explore species and habitat that may be impacted by your project, 2) Conduct a regulatory review, and 3) Build a biological assessment to help you avoid or minimize effects to species and habitat.
