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About GIS and the environment
GIS is used every day to help protect the environment. As an environmental professional, you can use GIS to produce maps, inventory species, measure environmental impact, or trace pollutants. The environmental applications for GIS are almost endless.

You can use GIS to


Study and Manage Ecosystems
With a GIS you can analyze entire ecosystems.

The National Biological Services uses GIS to study and manage the Gap Analysis Program. Using the GIS they can visualize the ecosystem as a complete unit and display graphics of sensitive areas.

The Bureau of Land Management uses GIS to manage the ecosystem for the Columbia River Basin. Using the GIS they can assess environmental impact, develop planning strategies, and create maps that show the entire system.
Site Characterization

With a GIS you can organize and refine data to help with site assessments, site inspections, and feasability studies.

Data, such as survey, hydrological, and aerial photos, can be organized and evaluated using the GIS.

Track the Effects of Pollutants

The damaging effects of pollution, such as oil spills, can be assessed using a GIS.

With this information, the GIS can model potential contamination for different locations and help develop risk assessment strategies.

GIS technology helped the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Council prioritize areas that need protection and to restore damaged species.

In addition, the effects of oil spills on tourism were assessed by using the same data to analyze the scenic appeal of different areas.


More Environmental Examples


There are many other ways a GIS can be used to solve environmental problems. Visit ESRI's Environmental vertical market page and learn how you can use GIS to solve environmental problems, or return to the About GIS main page for more examples of how GIS is being used every day to solve a variety of problems.


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May 14, 1997