The Georgia Gap Analysis Program: A Geographic Approach to Planning for Biological Diversity for Georgia

Dr. Elizabeth A. Kramer, Assistant Research Scientist, Institute of Ecology, Natural Resource Spatial Analysis Laboratory (NARSAL), University of Georgia

Dr. Michael J. Conroy, Georgia Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, D. B. Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia

Objectives:

1. Develop a multi-institutional cooperative approach toward the development and use of GAP data.

2. Map the existing natural and semi-natural land cover of the state using current standards specified in the Gap Analysis Program handbook.

3. Produce maps showing the predicted distributions of each indigenous bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, and fish species of the state using current standards specified in the GAP handbook.

4. Map the ownership of all public lands and private conservation lands (included on a voluntary basis by the owners) of the state using current standards specified in the GAP handbook.

5. Categorize all lands according to the GAP management status categories.

6. Produce a database of the analysis statistics showing the total surface area and relative percent of representation for each mapped land cover class and animal species relative to land stewardship categories.

7. Produce a written report of the mapping, assessment, and analysis methods, results, accuracies, and limitations.

8. Develop a long-term institutional framework for the maintenance and updating of the information.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resource Division

US EPA

Georgia GIS Clearinghouse

Georgia Museum of Natural History

Georgia Department of Community Affairs

The Nature Conservancy

For further information contact Elizabeth A. Krameror Michael J. Conroy