GIS for Planning

Through on-the-ground efforts, abundance and distribution data for Pacific salmonids have been collected for Gazos, Scott, and Waddell Creeks. These data can be managed in a geographic information system (GIS) with other data to look for spatial and temporal relationships and help support watershed and salmonid planning efforts.

A geographic information system (GIS) can be a useful planning and management tool, allowing resource agencies, scientists, and watershed groups to compile and analyze information at multiple temporal and spatial scales. For example, within the context of salmonid recovery planning, GIS can be used to:

• identify and describe the limiting factors that inhibit remaining salmonid populations from recovery
• synthesize data for use in developing and implementing recovery strategies
• identify data needs
• analyze and prioritize data to support early recovery opportunities
• inventory, update and evaluate programs and activities related to salmonid resources
• monitor and evaluate recovery efforts

GIS can also serve as an effective mechanism for conveying important information about salmonids and watershed processes to the public through its map-output capabilities. In addition, remotely-sensed imagery, when used in a GIS, is an excellent data source for examining landscape features that may impact salmonid survival or habitat, such as topography, vegetative cover, and land use. To learn more about how satellite imagery can be used to evaluate resource use patterns, see the Land Cover and Land Use Mapping section of this Web site.

NOAA Fisheries and GIS

The NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) has recently begun its planning process to address the need for salmonid recovery, as required by the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Their approach to recovery planning is a two-phased process comprised of a technical phase and a planning phase (for more information, see the NOAA Fisheries Recovery Planning section.) GIS technology will be used within each phase of the recovery planning process to support development of recovery plans that will address the factors for decline and factors impeding recovery, identify early recovery and restoration options, and quantify the population criteria needed to ensure long-term recovery. Where possible local information, such as from the the Russian River Interactive Information System Web site, and the Salmonid Habitat Restoration Planning Resource (SRP) GIS for San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties found on this Web site, will be used to refine recovery goals and identify and implement recovery measures. To help coastal managers and watershed groups understand how data in the SRP GIS and other information on this Web site could be used for salmonid recovery and restoration planning in San Mateo or Santa Cruz, go to the Planning and Management Scenarios section.

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