Integration of NOAA Aerial Monitoring and GIS Programs for Research, Education, and Management Within the Channel Islands National Marine Snactuary.

摘要

The objective of this project is to monitor and analyze physical and anthropogenic phenomena within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary using a Geographic Information System (GIS) and aerial Global Positioning System (GPS) collection strategy. Data are used to enhance Sanctuary goals of research, education, and resource management. The aerial monitoring program allows near-realtime collection of data vital to coastal zone management and resource protection. Collected floral and faunal data are used to monitor kelp distribution; marine mammal populations and migration patterns; and general resource health within the Sanctuary. Vessel traffic and type surveys allow anthropogenic use patterns to be studied. Data downloaded into the Sanctuary's GIS are used to analyze historical trends and detect correlations across data types. Maps are created and made available via the World Wide Web as a public education tool. Additionally, the program is being prototyped as a response tool for resource emergencies such as oil spills. Data collected on spill perimeter changes, oil types, and oiled animals can be downloaded to a portable GIS at Unified Command Centers to aid in both immediate response decisions and long term impact analysis.