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Geographic Information SystemsThe National Wetlands Research Center's staff members integrate data from various sources into comprehensive geographic information systems (GIS) and associated databases. A GIS is composed of five equally-important components: computer hardware, advanced software, accurate source data, dependable procedures, and a trained staff. GIS allows users to view, interpret and see relationships between spatial data. Many industries are using GIS to assist in day to day business activities, such as National defense, health and human services, transportation, and natural resources. NWRC produces maps and statistics developed from coastal wetland data to reveal patterns and trends in deteriorating marshes. GIS also aids in identifying stresses on the environment and helps plan future mitigation activities to stop or slow down these processes. Source data includes information derived from aerial photography, cartography, remote sensing, field data collection, and experimentation results. A GIS allows the analysis of large and complex databases for trend analysis, natural resource inventorying and monitoring, and modeling across large landscapes. The NWRC is involved in multiple studies across Coastal Louisiana to monitor and restore wetlands. These studies range from small site-specific to large-scale basin or region-level analysis. Once the research and their data are developed, they are available or transferred to other Federal and state government agencies, universities, and the private sector through NWRC's National Spatial Data Infrastructure participation. Ongoing Programs Include:
Research
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