Opportunities for and barriers to GAP implementation

1
Opportunities for and barriers to GAP
implementation

• Julie McClafferty, Coordinator,
• Human Dimensions Division
• And
• Jeff Waldon, Assistant Director
• Conservation Management Institute, VA Tech

2
Objectives

1. Ascertain current awareness levels about gap
   analysis and its process, products, utilities.
2. Compare user needs and desires to the gap concept
   and data capabilities.
3. Identify technological capabilities limitations
   among potential users.
4. Identify additional opportunities for gap data
   integration.

3
Approach

• Mail Survey (68 surveys sent out, 46 returned -
  66 response rate)
• Focus Group Meetings engage participants in
  discussion and brainstorming about potential
  applications of gap data and ways to overcome
  obstacles to implementing these applications

4
Survey Results

• Who responded? 18 state government, 14 federal
  government, 3 regional government (sub-state
  level), 5 private consultants, 2 academic, 3 NGO,
  1 unknown (didnt answer that question)

5
Types of Experience

• 27 have lt5 years experience in their field, 34
  have gt20 yrs experience
• Job missions ranging from education outreach to
  endangered species management landscape
  planning to economic development
  cultural/historical preservation

6
Familiarity with Gap

1. Before receiving survey, 80 had heard of GAP,
   20 had not
2. Of those who had, only 53 correctly identified
   the mission of GAP as identifying gaps in the
   protection of biodiversity. Others thought it
   was to create land cover maps or identify gaps
   (fragments) in habitat, etc.
3. Also only 53 knew that the data is available
   for free and online

7
Gap Data Usage

• 37 (17) of those who had heard of GAP data had
  used it previously
• 44 at a regional level (sub-state)
• 38 at a county level
• 38 at a statewide level
• 25 at a town/city level
• 13 at an individual parcel level
• b. Landcover most widely used part of GAP (gt80
  finding it helpful)

8
Why its not used more.

1. Dont know how to obtain it (57 said its
   important)
2. Dont know how it can be used (32)
3. Dont have time (54)
4. Doesnt have the data I need (72)
5. Not up to date enough (47)
6. Resolution is not appropriate (71)
7. Did not know it existed (29)

9
Interesting point

• 39 indicated that they are currently working on
  projects where GAP might be useful another 45
  were unsure (large potential)

10
What would help them use it more?

1. If they had more information about what GAP is
   (59)
2. More info about how to use it (70)
3. If data were easier to obtain (46)
4. More computer training (29)
5. If data were provided at a different scale or
   resolution (42)
6. If more or different products were available
   (52)

11
Focus Groups
12
Focus Groups Things participants would like to
be able to do with GAP data

1. Plan conservation corridors (identify target
   properties)
2. Obtain solid, eye-catching supporting data to
   defend promote land acquisition efforts to
   public and legislature
3. Monitor habitat changes over time predict
   habitat quality (rather than presence/absence)
4. Crop damage/Vehicle collisions predictions/
   monitoring

13
Things participants would like to be able to do
with GAP data (cont.)

• Predict dispersal patterns (e.g., elk) by
  identifying habitat corridors
• Monitor wildlife disease implications
• As a planning tool for site-specific management
  actions
• Monitor land use change, forest conversion, urban
  sprawl
• Recreation planning and modeling

14
Things participants would like to be able to do
with GAP data (cont.)

1. Outreach communicating stewardship info
   biodiversity needs to public and legislature to
   further conservation mission
2. Manage/predict/model at the population level
3. Risk analysis by habitat type
4. Incorporate socio-demographic information to
   subjectively defend conservation projects (cannot
   always depend on a biodiversity scapegoat as
   the primary purpose)

15
Things that participants would need from GAP in
order to implement GAP data in these ways

1. Credible/real examples
2. Present data in user-friendly way on the web (so
   you dont need GIS software).
3. Improved habitat models, including qualitative
   info move beyond presence/absence and into
   habitat quality/HSI incorporate expert review and
   adaptability.
4. Regularly schedule re-mapping for current info
   and trends analysis

16
Things that participants would need from GAP in
order to implement GAP data in these ways

1. Need compatibility with other data (e.g., tax
   maps, aerial photos).
2. Ability to simulate management prescriptions.
3. Either higher resolution maps, or the ability to
   incorporate existing maps into user models

17
Preliminary Strategy

• Gap needs to be integrated into the work of
  others.
• Tools designed by user communities
• Web sites
• Print products
• Basic training in conservation planning and GIS
  is needed.
• We need an update.

18
Parting Rant

• Gap Analysis is a process not a project.