Geographic Information and Technical Support
USGS WARC first implemented geographic information systems (GIS) in 1980 to assist in monitoring the nature and extent of wetland habitat changes. Today, WARC geographers and support staff create, maintain, and use geospatial data to analyze restoration efforts in Louisiana.
The Science Issue and Relevance: The Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC) first implemented geographic information systems (GIS) in 1980 to assist in monitoring the nature and extent of wetland habitat changes. The geospatial capabilities, in part, grew out of that initial effort and now, WARC uses GIS, remote sensing, and other computer based technologies to address a wide range of natural resource related issues. Providing these products and services requires a standardized GIS data management and extensive coordination with project planners, managers, and decision makers. WARC often applies this technology in cooperative ventures with other federal agencies, state and local government, and the private sector. Specifically, WARC, as a cooperative partner, is providing general GIS support, remote sensing support, data management support, web design and development support, and cartographic support for the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana (CPRA). WARC has provided this support since the early 1990s.
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: Geographers and support staff create, maintain, and utilize various databases, data layers, and metadata in analysis for restoration efforts in Louisiana. These datasets are used by other staff at WARC, CPRA, and other state and federal agencies for planning or to assess project effectiveness. In addition to planning tools, analysis provided through geospatial support has been absorbed for use in other projects. The databases created and maintained with our state partners are incorporated onto CRMS, lacoast.gov, SONRIS, and CIMS websites.
Future Steps: Moving forward, WARC will continue to invest in this capacity to ensure relevant datasets, spatial analysis techniques, and technologies stay current to support our cooperators in the restoration community.
USGS WARC first implemented geographic information systems (GIS) in 1980 to assist in monitoring the nature and extent of wetland habitat changes. Today, WARC geographers and support staff create, maintain, and use geospatial data to analyze restoration efforts in Louisiana.
The Science Issue and Relevance: The Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC) first implemented geographic information systems (GIS) in 1980 to assist in monitoring the nature and extent of wetland habitat changes. The geospatial capabilities, in part, grew out of that initial effort and now, WARC uses GIS, remote sensing, and other computer based technologies to address a wide range of natural resource related issues. Providing these products and services requires a standardized GIS data management and extensive coordination with project planners, managers, and decision makers. WARC often applies this technology in cooperative ventures with other federal agencies, state and local government, and the private sector. Specifically, WARC, as a cooperative partner, is providing general GIS support, remote sensing support, data management support, web design and development support, and cartographic support for the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana (CPRA). WARC has provided this support since the early 1990s.
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: Geographers and support staff create, maintain, and utilize various databases, data layers, and metadata in analysis for restoration efforts in Louisiana. These datasets are used by other staff at WARC, CPRA, and other state and federal agencies for planning or to assess project effectiveness. In addition to planning tools, analysis provided through geospatial support has been absorbed for use in other projects. The databases created and maintained with our state partners are incorporated onto CRMS, lacoast.gov, SONRIS, and CIMS websites.
Future Steps: Moving forward, WARC will continue to invest in this capacity to ensure relevant datasets, spatial analysis techniques, and technologies stay current to support our cooperators in the restoration community.