GIS in Modern Zoological Park Management: Case Study of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

摘要

The paper demonstrates Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) in Geographical Information System (GIS) for management the zoological park of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta South-western Nigeria. The aim of the study is to produce an effective system for monitoring and managing natural environment of caged animals in any animal preserve. The map of the zoo park was first created through ‘on-screen’ digitising of geo-referenced Google Earth images. Environmental parameters namely: ambient temperature, humidity, noise, and light intensity were randomly sampled using environmental meters and a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. The data were interpolated in GIS using Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) method. Results showed noise level as high as 81 decibels and as low as 34 decibels, humidity as high as 99% and as low as 68% and ambient temperature as high as 39oc and as low as 29.1oc. Light intensity (reflected) was as high as 54 at some locations and as low as -0.01 at some others. The interpolated data revealed the variability distribution of environmental parameters across the zoo which can be understood when overlaid with features including animal locations within the zoo park. For instance, the highest humidity was recorded near the river valley while the highest noise level was recorded close to the main road. The study concluded that these maps can serve as a guide when deciding to situate sensitive new animals as well as a guide for maintaining optimum conditions for animal environments.