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Opportunities for and barriers to GAP implementation

Opportunities for and barriers to GAP implementation. Julie McClafferty , Coordinator, Human Dimensions Division And Jeff Waldon , Assistant Director Conservation Management Institute, VA Tech. Objectives.

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Opportunities for and barriers to GAP implementation

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  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 • Ascertain current awareness levels about gap analysis and its process, products, & utilities. • Compare user needs and desires to the gap concept and data capabilities. • Identify technological capabilities & limitations among potential users. • 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 (didn’t answer that question)

  5. Types of Experience • 27% have <5 years experience in their field, 34% have >20 yrs experience • Job missions ranging from education & outreach to endangered species management & landscape planning to economic development & cultural/historical preservation

  6. Familiarity with Gap • Before receiving survey, 80% had heard of GAP, 20% had not • 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. • 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 (>80% finding it helpful)

  8. Why it’s not used more. • Don’t know how to obtain it (57% said it’s important) • Don’t know how it can be used (32%) • Don’t have time (54%) • Doesn’t have the data I need (72%) • Not up to date enough (47%) • Resolution is not appropriate (71%) • 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? • If they had more information about what GAP is (59%) • More info about how to use it (70%) • If data were easier to obtain (46%) • More computer training (29%) • If data were provided at a different scale or resolution (42%) • 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 • Plan conservation corridors (identify target properties) • Obtain solid, “eye-catching” supporting data to defend & promote land acquisition efforts to public and legislature • Monitor habitat changes over time & predict habitat quality (rather than presence/absence) • 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.) • Outreach – communicating stewardship info & biodiversity needs to public and legislature to further conservation mission • Manage/predict/model at the population level • Risk analysis by habitat type • 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 • Credible/real examples • Present data in user-friendly way on the web (so you don’t need GIS software). • Improved habitat models, including qualitative info; move beyond presence/absence and into habitat quality/HSI incorporate expert review and adaptability. • 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 • Need compatibility with other data (e.g., tax maps, aerial photos). • Ability to simulate management prescriptions. • 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.

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