573
occurring as scattered inland wetland systems.
Further, c 80 % of the wetlands are distributed in
the mangroves in different regions. Wetlands are
little unmanaged today, mainly because these precious systems are under the care of various organisations, like agriculture, fi sheries, irrigation,
revenue, tourism, water resources and local bodies. This translates into lack of cohesion in both
planning and management. Notwithstanding the
techniques of the 1970s, some recent initiatives
using GIS tools and software for mapping and
analysis of wetland dynamics are, possibly, bringing hope for an effective wetland management. In
contrast with individual efforts, where efforts are
generally inaccessible, the Wetland Working
Group of the National Biodiversity Strategic
Action Plan (NABSAP) has been taking this
movement forward.
Further, access to all coordinates and attributes for the Ramsar sites may not be much diffi cult. But this could keep us ignorant about the
rest of the wetlands spread all over the country.
Even today, there are, perhaps, >700 smaller and
scattered wetlands not mapped or without any
data for prioritisation. The past two decades have
witnessed sustainable efforts in mapping these
wetlands and compiling a resource base for conservation, involving various organisations like
SACON, with a GIS-based decision support system for wetland conservation. In this regard, the
M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
(MSSRF) has been doing commendable works in
management and conservation of the coastal
mangrove ecosystem involving the stakeholders
at the grass-roots level (Joint Forest Management
or JFM) under an India–Canada Environment
Facility programme for a period of 5 years.
26.12.8 Examples from
Overseas
Concomitantly, there are efforts towards application
of GIS technology in overseas countries, notably
in Australia, America, etc. While researching
options for providing coastal habitat information,
a technique named ‘Shore Zone Mapping’ came
out as tool that had been successfully applied to
the entire coast of Washington State and British
Columbia. It made sense to use a method that had
been tested and applied to areas that had many
similarities to the south central coast in terms of
species, types of assemblages and remoteness of
coastlines. Shore Zone provides ‘broad brush’
information, information about physical and biological near shore environment across large geographical areas for relatively low cost. This
method, further, provides a ‘big picture’ approach
that would provide information which could be
summarised at regional levels and help to defi ne
areas at which there is need for more detailed
habitat mapping for other purposes. There is
recognition of the wide range of application of
the data beyond obtaining shoreline habitat
information.
In this regard, the Queensland Wetland
Mapping and Classifi cation methodology was
designed to build on and incorporate existing
knowledge into a consistent and comprehensive wetland mapping product. It is also part of
the development of a wetland inventory database. The method combines aquatic ecosystem
characteristics with regional ecosystem protocols and other wetland information.
26.12.8.1 Resources Required
Expertise in satellite image processing and vegetation mapping, multi-temporal satellite images,
satellite images for period of maximum inundation,
regional ecosystem mapping, geodata, aerial
photography, salinity, site data, etc., are required
for the purpose of mapping. Further, conserving
shorebirds involves protection of their habitat
across multi-jurisdictional boundaries.
In addition to above, there have been exercises
related to the study of wetlands involving GIS
technology in other parts of the globe, notably
the USA. A brief account of the exercises done in
the USA in this regard is given below:
26.12.8.2 GIS-Based Analysis
of the Delta Wetlands
of Arkansas
A Long-Term Strategy
The Arkansas Wetland Strategy (1997) was
developed by the Arkansas Multi-Agency Wetland
26.12 Wetland Habitat Mapping Exemplifi ed
occurring as scattered inland wetland systems.
Further, c 80 % of the wetlands are distributed in
the mangroves in different regions. Wetlands are
little unmanaged today, mainly because these precious systems are under the care of various organisations, like agriculture, fi sheries, irrigation,
revenue, tourism, water resources and local bodies. This translates into lack of cohesion in both
planning and management. Notwithstanding the
techniques of the 1970s, some recent initiatives
using GIS tools and software for mapping and
analysis of wetland dynamics are, possibly, bringing hope for an effective wetland management. In
contrast with individual efforts, where efforts are
generally inaccessible, the Wetland Working
Group of the National Biodiversity Strategic
Action Plan (NABSAP) has been taking this
movement forward.
Further, access to all coordinates and attributes for the Ramsar sites may not be much diffi cult. But this could keep us ignorant about the
rest of the wetlands spread all over the country.
Even today, there are, perhaps, >700 smaller and
scattered wetlands not mapped or without any
data for prioritisation. The past two decades have
witnessed sustainable efforts in mapping these
wetlands and compiling a resource base for conservation, involving various organisations like
SACON, with a GIS-based decision support system for wetland conservation. In this regard, the
M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
(MSSRF) has been doing commendable works in
management and conservation of the coastal
mangrove ecosystem involving the stakeholders
at the grass-roots level (Joint Forest Management
or JFM) under an India–Canada Environment
Facility programme for a period of 5 years.
26.12.8 Examples from
Overseas
Concomitantly, there are efforts towards application
of GIS technology in overseas countries, notably
in Australia, America, etc. While researching
options for providing coastal habitat information,
a technique named ‘Shore Zone Mapping’ came
out as tool that had been successfully applied to
the entire coast of Washington State and British
Columbia. It made sense to use a method that had
been tested and applied to areas that had many
similarities to the south central coast in terms of
species, types of assemblages and remoteness of
coastlines. Shore Zone provides ‘broad brush’
information, information about physical and biological near shore environment across large geographical areas for relatively low cost. This
method, further, provides a ‘big picture’ approach
that would provide information which could be
summarised at regional levels and help to defi ne
areas at which there is need for more detailed
habitat mapping for other purposes. There is
recognition of the wide range of application of
the data beyond obtaining shoreline habitat
information.
In this regard, the Queensland Wetland
Mapping and Classifi cation methodology was
designed to build on and incorporate existing
knowledge into a consistent and comprehensive wetland mapping product. It is also part of
the development of a wetland inventory database. The method combines aquatic ecosystem
characteristics with regional ecosystem protocols and other wetland information.
26.12.8.1 Resources Required
Expertise in satellite image processing and vegetation mapping, multi-temporal satellite images,
satellite images for period of maximum inundation,
regional ecosystem mapping, geodata, aerial
photography, salinity, site data, etc., are required
for the purpose of mapping. Further, conserving
shorebirds involves protection of their habitat
across multi-jurisdictional boundaries.
In addition to above, there have been exercises
related to the study of wetlands involving GIS
technology in other parts of the globe, notably
the USA. A brief account of the exercises done in
the USA in this regard is given below:
26.12.8.2 GIS-Based Analysis
of the Delta Wetlands
of Arkansas
A Long-Term Strategy
The Arkansas Wetland Strategy (1997) was
developed by the Arkansas Multi-Agency Wetland
26.12 Wetland Habitat Mapping Exemplifi ed