3/29/11. Why bother with tools? Incorporating Decision Support Tools into Climate Adaptation Planning. A Simplified Planning Process

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1 Incorporating Decision Support Tools into Climate Adaptation Planning Why bother with tools? Tools don t eliminate complexity but they can help deal with it" Tools can:"! Help incorporate science into decision making"! Help explore range of management scenarios and social and ecological outcomes"! Help you do things faster A Simplified Planning Process Inventory Implementation Stakeholder" Input Analysis Plan Development 1

2 A Simplified Planning Process Inventory Implementation Stakeholder" Input Analysis Plan Development But they can look like alphabet soup Enter the EBM Tools Network Goal: to promote effective use and development of tools" for coastal-marine environments and their watersheds" Voluntary alliance of tool users and experts" Members represent diverse organizations" Members have diverse topical expertise" ~130 core members but growing community now >1,900 2

3 Analytical Tools for Climate Adaptation Planning Geospatial Sciences and GIS - a primer The Tools Spectrum Examples of Tools Best Practices for Tool Selection and Use Geospatial Sciences Geographic Information Systems (GIS)" Remote Sensing (RS)" Global Positioning Systems (GPS)" Geodesy" Surveying" Automated Cartography" and many others A Working Definition GIS is A computer-based information system to capture, manage, update, analyze, display, and output spatial data and information! to be used in a decision making context 3

4 What is a GIS? A computer system which can hold and use data describing places on the earthʼs surface. Geography Ties Data Together Roads Towns Water Wells X = 50, Y = 100 Data Types: Vector vs. Raster Vector data represent geographic features with lines, points, and polygons. Rasters (images and grids) represent geographic features by a regular pattern of discrete cells called pixels. Each pixel (picture element) Represents an area Often has a geographic location Has a value that represents the feature being observed Examples: parcels, roads, streams, lakes. Examples: land cover, LiDAR, DEMs, outputs of many models. 4

5 Things you can do with a GIS Answer Questions Visualize spatial relationships" Answer questions about what it is " Answer questions about where things are? Things you can do with a GIS Asking Questions (and get answers) Select all parcels in a subdivision That were sold in the past 3 years For more than $800,000 Ad hoc queries are one of the most important GIS functions Our theory of geospatial tools:! Visualization Tools Web-based Tools GIS-based DSTs Models Toolkits 5

6 Starting Simple: Online Mapping and Mashups A case study... Eagleville Brook Watershed First impervious cover TMDL in the nation" Our mission, to figure out what that meant and how to implement The Approach Inventory Implementation? Stakeholder" Input Analysis Plan Development Starting Simple: Online Mapping and Mashups 6

7 Simulation Tools: CanViz Easy-to-use photo simulation software" Use local photos, with provided tools and objects " Best of all: ITS FREE!!!" Online Training available:" April 20, :00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EST) Web-based Tools Demo of Another DST: CommViz? GIS-based Decision Support Tools A planning tool that allows communities to develop and compare alternate scenarios. 7

8 Fly-through 3D ArcGIS Extension Analysis Wizards Multiple Scenarios Dynamic Charts Intuitive Interface Interactive Controls For the Serious DIY: Toolkits I built my toolkit in just one weekend! Planning projects have diverse needs and issues" Generally not a single, one-size-fits-all tool available" Still, there are many tools that can address parts of your needs, SO. Linking groups of tools through an interactive process gives the flexibility to address an almost unlimited number of issues, with existing tools. Integrated Planning for Resilient Communities Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester, SC" Function:" Supports integrated hazard- and ecosystem-based land use planning Tools Used:" CommunityVIZ" NatureServe Vista" Roadmap for Adapting to Coastal Risk (NOAA CSC) 8

9 Coastal Resilience Toolkit Workflow Current Condition Scenario CViz Current land use & indicators Future Trend Scenario CViz Future land use & indicators Common GIS Database Hazards Info" Ecological Info Socio-economic" Land Use/Cover CRVAT" Current hazard " analysis CRVAT" Future scenario" hazard analysis Vista Current ecological status Vista Future scenario " ecological status Alternative Scenarios: Multiple CRVAT" Hazard " mitigation CViz scenario Integrated alternative land use plan Vista Ecological mitigation scenario Stakeholder Process" Understand tradeoffs" Analyze Multiple Scenarios" Preferred Scenario Things to consider... Know what kind of analyses you need to guide you in the planning process." Make sure the tool is integrated into your planning process." Know the tools limitations." Understand data and technical needs of the tools. " Assess staff capacity to run and maintain." Do you need an external service provider?" Ask lots of questions first. Seek out advice from those with experience using tool." Maintain a healthy skepticism. To get started... 9

10 Resources Visit EBM Tools Online Database NOAA CSC Digital Coast" Tool Webinars Coastal Adaptation to Sea Level Rise Tool (COAST), April 21, :00 AM" Sign up for monthly updates and listserve" Contact us about your interest in tools: Funding provided by the Packard Foundation 10