12. GIS

Question 1

GIS use in EIA

Answer 1

1. Data management
2. Decision support tool
   * EIA – protect environment while allowing
   planners to make decisions granting permits
   * Cumulative effects - combined effects of past,
   present and future human activities and
   natural processes on a system.

Question 2

GIS to analyze…

Answer 2

for baseline conditions
(combining expert knowledge + existing data)

for cumulative effects
(=species range
+ pressures + expert knowledge)

to identify impacts, magnitudes and significance
–> impacts on habitat, mortality, habitat effectiveness, etc.

understand how enviro. + social factors relate (overlay tools)

analyze pressures to consider for all components and regionally relevant ecosystem components

analyze different future scenarios based on different conditions:

ecotourism
vs.
ecotourism + renewable
resources (forestry, aquaculture)
vs.
ecotourism + renewable
resources (-aquaculture)
vs.
intensive economic
developme

Question 3

strengths

Answer 3

map = says a lot

data mgmt and integration (spatial analysis)

multiple scales

Question 4

limitations

Answer 4

scale-data matches enviro. process?

uncertainty

error