GIS & Remote Sensing
To achieve SANParks’ broad objective of maintaining biodiversity in all its natural facets and fluxes, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Remote Sensing are essential for providing the necessary spatial information.
GIS makes use of computer applications to combine information and geography, allowing us to visualise patterns and explore relationships between places or features. In simple terms it is the production of “smart maps” by spatially linking datasets as points, lines, polygons and images with tabular data to derive new information. The purpose of GIS within SANParks is to facilitate spatial data analysis for effective ecological monitoring, research and management support.
Remote Sensing is one of the main sources of spatial data used in GIS. A large archive of current and historic aerial photos is used along with more ‘real time’ images from various satellites, such as MODIS, SPOT and Landsat. In addition, a number of collaborative research projects are underway using Radar and LiDAR data to map the landscape in 3D.
GIS Offices
Several GIS offices exist where specialists provide dedicated expertise for staff and visiting researchers: