Landscape-scale conservation planning performed in a systematic and transparent manner is becoming more common as it is increasingly evident that ecological processes are being affected at large spatial scales. The Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative undertook a 15-state landscape conservation planning project, resulting in a landscape conservation design called NatureScape. To facilitate NatureScape\u27s implementation by groups and individuals participating in on-the-ground landscape conservation, we developed an online decision support tool. This tool has the potential to assist Extension services in delivering research-based information to varied stakeholders as they make land use decisions

Baldwin, Robert F.

Bee, Gillian B.

Hanks, R. Daniel

Leonard, Paul B.

English

Clemson University: TigerPrints

Journal of Extension Manuscript 1443 Interactive Online Tool for Educating the Public About Landscape Conservation R. Daniel Hanks Robert F. Baldwin Paul B. Leonard Gillian B. Bee April 2019Volume 57Number 2Article # 2TOT5Tools of the TradeInteractive Online Tool for Educating the Public AboutLandscape ConservationAbstractLandscape-scale conservation planning performed in a systematic and transparent manner is becoming morecommon as it is increasingly evident that ecological processes are being affected at large spatial scales. TheAppalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative undertook a 15-state landscape conservation planningproject, resulting in a landscape conservation design called NatureScape. To facilitate NatureScape'simplementation by groups and individuals participating in on-the-ground landscape conservation, we developedan online decision support tool. This tool has the potential to assist Extension services in delivering research-based information to varied stakeholders as they make land use decisions.Keywords: conservation planning, land use planning, online decision support tool   IntroductionAmong Extension's constituencies are groups focused on establishing new conservation lands. Increasingly,R. Daniel HanksPalmetto Green FellowDepartment ofForestry andEnvironmentalConservationClemson UniversityClemson, SouthCarolinarhanks@clemson.edu@5rdhanksRobert F. BaldwinProfessor andMargaret H. Lloyd–SmartState EndowedChair and Director,SmartState Center forUrban Ecology andRestorationDepartment ofForestry andEnvironmentalConservationClemson UniversityClemson, SouthCarolinabaldwi6@clemson.eduPaul B. LeonardArctic LandscapeConservationCooperative ScienceCoordinatorOffice of ScienceApplicationsU.S. Fish and WildlifeServiceFairbanks, Alaskapaul_leonard@fws.gov@IsolatedWetlandGillian B. BeeLandscapeConservation FellowDepartment ofForestry andEnvironmentalConservationClemson UniversityClemson, SouthCarolinagilliab@clemson.eduPatrick ClaflinGIS SystemsAdministratorClemson Center forGeospatialTechnologiesClemson UniversityClemson, SouthCarolinapat@clemson.edugroups working to establish conservation lands rely on maps generated through systematic conservationplanning—that is, landscape conservation design (LCD)—that help prioritize where landscape conservationefforts should occur. Translating the science underlying LCD into transparent and actionable tools can bechallenging. We developed an interactive online decision support tool that will aid Extension services indisseminating information and educating the public about landscape conservation.The Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative (AppLCC) undertook an LCD exercise to provide aholistic plan for conservation in a 15-state region (Figure 1) (Leonard, Baldwin, & Hanks, 2017). The AppLCCbranded this LCD NatureScape. Technical details of and methodologies behind NatureScape were published inScientific Reports (Leonard et al., 2017). However, to facilitate understanding and implementation ofNatureScape by regional conservation practitioners, who often have more localized conservation intentions,we developed the NatureScape online decision support tool, which is hosted by the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService at https://www.fws.gov/selectspecies/. On-the-ground conservation efforts are often based on theability of conservation groups to impress on stakeholders the conservation value of specific geographic areas.Conservation planning and mapping processes are complex, involving many geographic inputs andalgorithms, and simple presentations of the results are needed to engage those most affected. The onlinetool we present here provides a tangible interface between an identified geographic area and its importanceto conservation goals. The data translation approach we use is unique but is replicable in regions for whichsimilar data are available.Figure 1.Map of the Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative (AppLCC) 15-State RegionDisplaying Landscape Conservation Design Elements Derived from the AppLCC's ConservationPlanning ExerciseWhat Is the NatureScape Online Decision Support Tool?Tools of the Trade Interactive Online Tool for Educating the Public About Landscape Conservation JOE 57(2)©2019 Extension Journal Inc. 1Description of the ToolNatureScape is a map-based online decision support tool developed to communicate conservation prioritiesthat arose from the AppLCC LCD mapping exercise addressing both aquatic and terrestrial goals (Leonard etal., 2017). Such tools provide regional context to conservation planning priorities. NatureScape's homescreen (Figure 2) provides an overview of the region's geography; through selection of areas within theregion, information on local conservation priorities is displayed. Three tabs at the top of the window allowusers to work with an integrated model, an aquatic model, or an aquatic catchment score, depending ontheir interests and needs. Zooming in to a smaller geographic extent, users can select an area of interest(e.g., individual 1-km hexagons, a polygon, or an uploaded shapefile) (see section 3A in Figure 3). The tooldisplays a table describing conservation targets represented in the selected area, how much total area withinthe selection each conservation target contributes, and the overall importance of the area for any giventarget (see section 3B in Figure 3). Selection of a conservation target listed in the table produces adescription of the selected target and identification of the data source used in NatureScape (see section 3C inFigure 3).Figure 2.NatureScape Home PageFigure 3.Example of NatureScape in ActionTools of the Trade Interactive Online Tool for Educating the Public About Landscape Conservation JOE 57(2)©2019 Extension Journal Inc. 2Integration of Stakeholder Conservation Interests into the ToolThe 15-state region is high in aquatic diversity, and stakeholders wanted planning products that showedconservation priorities based on aquatic diversity alone as well as those that emerged when considered incombination with terrestrial priorities. To address these concerns in the online tool, we converted two mapsets from the design into geodatabases; one integrated aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the otherfocused on aquatic targets only. We used ArcGIS Version 10.5 to create the necessary symbology and visualrepresentation for each map. Large study areas necessitate an interface that quickly loads maps while stillfacilitating user interaction. To meet this need, we created raster tile caches from each of the maps to act asthe main user interface. Each map's actual data are overlaid as an invisible layer. As a user selects featureson the map, the underlying data are loaded and displayed. To make the raster caches publicly accessible, wepublished them to an ArcGIS Enterprise (Version 10.5.1) server. Finally, we created a JavaScript-based webapplication to display the maps and user interface. Other regions may have different conservation priorities,but the principles of integration of multiple map layers apply anywhere.Examples of Potential Uses of the NatureScape Online Tool forExtensionSystematic conservation planning aims to identify areas on the landscape that are important to conservation,which can be variable and depend on the concerns and interests of the stakeholders involved, the region andecosystems present, and data availability. NatureScape, an example of an online delivery tool forconservation planning information, can be adapted by Extension services to convey mapped conservationvalues associated with land parcels. NatureScape covers a vast expanse but the underlying principles can beapplied at various scales. For example, bobwhite quail are dependent on intact, connected, and functionalearly successional ecosystems (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 2013). The ability to showa landowner visually (i.e., via an online map) how his or her property, if managed properly, can contribute tothe persistence of bobwhite populations may convince the landowner to participate in management practicesthat support healthy, connected early successional ecosystems (e.g., prescribed burning). Other onlinemapping tool examples include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's conservation blueprint of the SouthTools of the Trade Interactive Online Tool for Educating the Public About Landscape Conservation JOE 57(2)©2019 Extension Journal Inc. 3Atlantic region (https://blueprint.southatlanticlcc.org/) and DataBasin (https://databasin.org/). Extensionpersonnel active in translating spatial conservation planning to citizens may examine these examples andothers and choose what approach best suits their needs.SummaryFuture conservation success will depend on sound decisions about management actions taken on privatelands (Baldwin & Leonard, 2015), and much land is threatened with urbanization (Mockrin et al., 2018).Decisions taken as to which areas have conservation priority should be based on best available scientificinformation and should be communicated in a transparent, accessible, and actionable manner. Maps appealto the desire for easily digestible visual information and are valuable for communication by Extension agents(Abd-Elraham, Duryea, Dix, & Perry, 2010). NatureScape, an online tool for disseminating mappedconservation priority information, can be adapted for any region, spatial scale, or set of priorities. Extensionservices provide the public unbiased, research-based information (U.S. Department of Agriculture, NationalInstitute of Food and Agriculture, n.d.). Conservation priority mapping, a rapidly expanding field, is oftensupported by public funds. Online mapping tools such as NatureScape can help refine and deliver theplethora of maps being derived from conservation data.ReferencesAbd-Elrahman, A., Duryea, M., Dix, M., & Perry, J. (2010). Online project mapping with researchercommunity input. Journal of Extension, 48(3), Article 3FEA3. Available at:https://www.joe.org/joe/2010june/a3.phpBaldwin, R. F., & Leonard, P. B. (2015). Interacting social and environmental predictors for the spatialdistribution of conservation lands. PLOS One, 10(10), e0140540. Retrieved fromhttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0140540Leonard, P. B., Baldwin, R. F., & Hanks, R. D. (2017). Landscape-scale conservation design across bioticrealms: Sequential integration of aquatic and terrestrial landscapes. Scientific Reports, 7, Article number14556. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-15304-wMockrin, M. H., Steward, S. I., Matonis, M. S., Johnson, K. M., Hammer, R. B., & Radeloff, V. C. (2018).Sprawling and diverse: The changing U. S. population and implications for public lands in the 21st century.Journal of Environmental Management, 215, 153–165.South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. (2013). Northern bobwhite habitat restoration in SouthCarolina. Retrieved fromhttp://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/quail/HabitRestorationinSC_ChallengesandOpportunities.pdfU.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. (n.d.). Extension. Retrieved March29, 2018, from https://nifa.usda.gov/extensionCopyright © by Extension Journal, Inc. ISSN 1077-5315. Articles appearing in the Journal become theproperty of the Journal. Single copies of articles may be reproduced in electronic or print form for use inTools of the Trade Interactive Online Tool for Educating the Public About Landscape Conservation JOE 57(2)©2019 Extension Journal Inc. 4educational or training activities. Inclusion of articles in other publications, electronic sources, or systematiclarge-scale distribution may be done only with prior electronic or written permission of the Journal EditorialOffice, joe-ed@joe.org.If you have difficulties viewing or printing this page, please contact JOE Technical SupportTools of the Trade Interactive Online Tool for Educating the Public About Landscape Conservation JOE 57(2)©2019 Extension Journal Inc. 5

Interactive Online Tool for Educating the Public About Landscape Conservation

https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1443&context=joe

Interactive Online Tool for Educating the Public About Landscape Conservation

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Clemson University: TigerPrints