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Empowering Management of Spatial Data at LRD: A Call for Strategic GIS Action

This article discusses the importance of effectively managing spatial data at Land Resources Division (LRD) and the Pacific Community (SPC). It emphasizes the empowering role GIS can play when used purposefully, with a focus on software selection, training, and accessibility. The text highlights the diverse types of geo-referenced data managed by LRD and SPC, ranging from animal disease distribution to climate information. The integration of GIS in land use planning, forest inventory, and community engagement is crucial for informed decision-making. The article stresses the need for a coordinated approach, training for all staff, and strategic partnerships to enhance GIS utilization within the organization.

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Empowering Management of Spatial Data at LRD: A Call for Strategic GIS Action

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  1. GIS at LRD? Managing spatial data at LRD and SPC A call for action…

  2. A personal view… • I’m not a GIS expert • So why am I standing up here? • I have been involved in some GIS development and have used GIS in my work • And that has shown me how really empowering GIS can be if you • Develop a purpose • don’t get hung up on the technology too much • choose your software wisely • don’t forget about training • try to put the tool in the hands of the people who really need it

  3. We generate a lot of data • Our visits to countries • PRAs etc. • People we talk to • Things we see on the way into town from the airport • GPS coordinates • Projects we coordinate or implement • Consultancies we carry out or commission from others • Stuff we read • Info we pick up from visitors to SPC • Workshop participants • These data are in • spreadsheets or databases • Word or pdf • hardcopy • people’s heads

  4. Wherever they are, these data are mostly managed sectorally… • Animal disease distribution , Pest/disease surveys, pest list databases • GPS coordinates for the locations of fruit fly traps in the PICTs, pest distribution, location of villages that have pig farms and waste management composting sites. • Participatory GIS – documenting traditional knowledge • Distribution and evaluation of germplasm conserved at RGC • Forestry and Agricultural Diversification team in collaboration with SOPAC are using GIS/remote sensing for forest inventory and monitoring Yet we talk about the necessity of integrated land use planning by countries… …and indeed of an integratedapproach

  5. …also allows us to make use of other relevant information • There’s a lot of other data out there that’s also geo-referenced • Population etc. • Climate • Land use, vegetation • Soil • Mapping of invasive species – African Tulip, Termites etc • Which can • Tell us about places where we haven’t been • “Domains” • Help us predict where problems might occur • Climatic adaptation of pests/diseases

  6. Vegetation Climate Elevation Soils Buildings Transportation Network Habitats Jurisdictional Boundaries Geodetic Control GIS is a tool for managinggeo-referenced data Questions Answers

  7. …and is also good for out-reach • People like & understand maps better than tables • PAHIS • Better impact with decision-makers • PopGIS (SPC Demography/Population Programme) • Can even be used to strengthen community participation • Participatory GIS http://www.iapad.org/ • Mental maps

  8. But we need to do some homework What data do we already have? • Inventory it • Prioritize it • Digitize it • Geo-reference it • more completely • more precisely (where possible)

  9. Also – what else is out there that can be useful? • National • eg PNG • Regional • SOPAC • SPREP • SPC Demography/Populationand Fisheries programmes • International • CI • WWF • SINGER • Lots of free stuff on the internet if you know where to look and what you need…

  10. And finally we’ll need… • A process for keeping the information up to date, and adding data as it becomes available (with due security safeguards) • Resources to manage the system in the long term • Strategic linkages with key partners • Training: Everyone in SPC-LRD should be able to use the system, not just a “GIS elite”

  11. What should we do now? We certainly want a coordinated approach: • Both within SPC • And within CROP: isn’t that what the Pacific Plan calls for? We need to consult with key partners, and then get someone in who can help us chart our own way forward

  12. Actions undertaken by LRD • The SOPAC/SPC GIS & RS unit will establish GIS at the Land Resources Division • Will train LRD staff on the use of GIS • Develop customised GIS solutions at LRD • Will coordinate and guide the GIS work at LRD The idea is to have a centralized GIS establishment in the Ministry of Agriculture in the PICTs

  13. Conclusion • If we want an integrated LRD… • If we want an integrated SPC… • And if we want more effective targeting of our interventions in land resources management… We really should use GIS more, and more strategically, as a Division

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