Getting started with GIS: Geographical Information Systems Claire Davis Climate Change, CSIR

What is GIS?  GIS is a technological field that incorporates geographical features with tabular data in order to map and analyze assess real-world problems  Two major ways of representing data:  Raster  Vector Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010

What makes GIS unique? Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010  Spatial analysis:  Database Query  Overlay  Proximity Analysis  Network Analysis  Digital Terrain Model  Statistical and Tabular Analysis  Recently used in assessment of global change Climate Change Downscalings

The advantages of climate change data in GIS format Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010  Kruger to Canyons Case Study  Biosphere Reserve in 2001  UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme Large climatic and topographical range Multiple different stressors across a range of scales Diverse array of land-use and economic activities Excellent subject for considering how climate change impacts might be successfully managed in a diverse landscape.

K2C Case Study Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010  Aim: investigate and communicate the latest climate change predictions, impacts and research to key stakeholders within the diverse landscape of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region  Stakeholder engagement = key component  Climate Change Handbook 

Stakeholder responses Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010 SectorImpact of concern Time frame of concerns Responses able to undertake Agriculture Increase of extreme heat events Immediate Erect protective shelters e.g. shadecloth for livestock and vulnerable crops Reduction in crop suitability and productivity Medium – long  Crop switching in the long term  Subsidies for subsistence/emerging farmers  Improved agricultural extension network Conservation Species range shifts Long  Expand the protected area network through formal and informal conservation efforts  Assisted plant movement for endangered plants Impacts on ecosystem services Medium  Translate scientific findings and information into policy and law Alteration of key ecological process drivers Short-medium  Alter key management strategies  Introduce clearly defined adaptive management Increased extent of malaria and heat stress will impact eco- tourism Short-medium  Increase malaria control programs  Intensify marketing strategies for cooler winter times when malaria risk is lowest  Enforce clean energy requirements Water Variability in water quantity Short-medium term  Set up ‘drought’ committees to disseminate information and make decisions for the long and short term Reductions in water quality Short-medium  Invest in existing efforts e.g. Working for Water Provincial and local Municipality Disaster management; increases in extreme events Short - long  Regulate and enforce developments that will buffer against disasters e.g. water storage  Improve disaster management plans based on future predictions Risks require improved facilities Immediate Maintain and develop existing infrastructure e.g. maintain sewage works and waste facilities Local community Food and economic security threatened by climatic extremes Immediate Encourage sustainable harvesting and use of plants by community Need to explore alternative energy sources Forestry Health of work force; malaria, heat stress and respiratory / immune conditions Immediate More research and development of hybrids Species site matching Immediate Unknown

Stakeholder responses cont. Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010 Cross-Sectoral Concerns Uncertainty of the extent of change and the lack of baseline data Immediate  Increased capacity and budget for baseline monitoring  More precise models and accurate information  More directed research and development Increased presence of pests, pathogens, alien plant invasion and bush encroachment Immediate  Use existing resources e.g. Working for Water and Working for Fire  Research into land management plans to reduce tree cover General adaptation options  Capacity, funding and knowledge dissemination  Increased awareness and climate change education in local communities  Local adaptive capacity (e.g. municipalities) needs to be strengthened  Input short term climate predictions into existing management strategies and promote scenario planning

Disadvantages and ‘to do’ list Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010  GIS accuracy depends upon the source data  Inter-conversions between ArcGIS 9.1, ArcGIS 9.2, Edrisi Kilamanjaro/Taiga, and various freeware options  Finding the best way to communicate climate change information to a range of stakeholders

Tutorial and exercise Introduction to GIS, CSAG Winter School, July 2010  Been provided with:  GIS Manual (with background information on GIS)  K2C Handbook  Provinces of South Africa  Towns of South Africa  Kruger National Park  Rainfall and temperature projections from 2 models  Hawths Tools  3 free GIS programs  Use this time to work through the tutorials (no/limited GIS background) and exercise (advanced)