Day: March 18, 2011

Training Manual on Spatial Analysis of Plant Diversity and Distribution

/ Matt Artz

…from Bioversity International…

“This training manual is intended for scientists and students who work with biodiversity data and are interested in developing skills to effectively carry out spatial analysis based on (free) GIS applications with a focus on diversity and ecological analyses.

“These analyses offer a better understanding of spatial patterns of plant diversity and distribution, helping to improve conservation efforts. The training manual focuses on plants of interest for improving livelihoods (e.g. crops, trees and crop wild relatives) and/or those which are endangered.

“Spatial analyses of interspecific and intraspecific diversity are explained using different types of data:

  • species presence
  • morphological characterization data
  • molecular data

“Although this training focuses on plant diversity, many of the types of analyses described can also be applied for other organisms such as animals and fungi.”

Using GIS in Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Evacuation Planning

/ Matt Artz

2010 Esri Homeland Security Summit

Sandra Forte

“Developing thorough emergency evacuation plans plays a vital role in ensuring public safety. Federal regulations require that detailed evacuation plans be developed for the emergency planning zone (EPZ) surrounding a nuclear power plant. These plans include evacuation time estimates (ETE) which are used by local emergency response personnel in preparing protective action recommendations for the public. Esri’s ArcMap is an essential tool in evacuation planning. Using ArcMap, planning data are spatially distributed within the EPZ. These data are analyzed using Arc Map tools and used as inputs to compute ETE. In addition, ArcMap creates effective maps included in the evacuation plan, which easily identify: EPZ residents that live in the area being evacuated, best routes for travel out of the area at risk, critical intersections manned by law enforcement personnel to facilitate traffic flow out of the area at risk, and special facilities within the area being evacuated.”