GIS Mapping & Modeling
Download GIS data and metadata
What is GIS?
GIS is a powerful computer mapping system that provides users with an understanding of locations and events through combining information as a series of layers or themes. A GIS is comprised of the following major components: software, hardware, data and personnel. GIS software is the component that provides the tools and functions that enable users to capture, store, retrieve, analyze, and display spatial information. The hardware component describes the computer systems needed to run the GIS software and to create the maps. The spatial data component of a GIS is what drives the understanding of locations and events. GIS datasets can range from spatial information describing site-specific habitat conditions to information that depicts landscape level events and conditions. In most cases, GIS data consists of a database that links specific locations on the earth's surface with attribute information. Personnel are the people who utilize the GIS for their specific studies. It is these users that implement the analysis and display of the spatial data.
The role of GIS in salmonid recovery planning
GIS can be a powerful tool in recovery planning, allowing resource agencies, scientists and watershed groups to compile and analyze information at multiple temporal and spatial scales. Within the Russian River watershed, GIS is being used to support the recovery of salmonid populations by resource agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA Fisheries, California Department of Fish and Game as well as by local agencies and watershed groups. GIS can be used to describe the limiting factors that inhibit remaining populations from recovery, archiving and synthesizing data that can be used in the development and implementation of recovery strategies, identifying data needs as well as the analysis of data to support and prioritize early recovery opportunities. Within the context of salmonid recovery planning, GIS can also be used to catalog, update and evaluate existing and future programs and activities related to salmonid resources. The implementation of a salmonid recovery focused GIS assists in the monitoring and evaluation of recovery efforts and serves as a mechanism for developing and providing information on the recovery of salmonid populations.
ArcIMS
ArcIMS is software that enables GIS professionals to distribute mapping services via the internet. As a result, users are able to interact with GIS maps and GIS data in a standard web browser. This enables users to display, produce and query maps on-line without the need for GIS software installed on their own computer. The RRIIS ArcIMS applications empowers users who do not have GIS skills by providing tools to examine specific locations and events of interest as they relate to salmonid resources in the Russian River watershed.
GIS data for download
RRIIS provides users with the opportunity to download GIS datasets to their own computers. In Fall, 2002 NOAA Fisheries completed the development of the Russian River Watershed GIS, a GIS project that compiled spatial data in support of salmonid resources in the Russian River watershed. The GIS data that is available for download was contributed from a variety of federal, state and local agencies and organizations active in the Russian River watershed. The available GIS data have been developed, analyzed and processed by professional scientists and organizations. It is important to note that the RRIIS project partners make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding the utility of any data.
