Geographic Information Systems for biodiversity conservation

Geographic Information Systems - Reference sites

Cartography and Cartographic Standards (reference information)

Maps (free downloads)

GIS Data (free downloads)

Microsoft FrontPage

Free Stuff for Web Development 

ServMap.com, MapServer GIS Hosting
Description: ServMap.com provides GIS Hosting powered by MapServer with support on MapScript programming (PHP5&4 and Perl) and PostGIS spatial database to publish your own map application at affordable cost.

InterConnection is a Seattle-based network of "virtual volunteers" who provide no-cost Web site design and hosting to community-based non-profits in developing countries. The group is partnering with Digital Dividends to provide its services to eligible Digital Dividend Clearinghouse Projects.

GeoVect offers specialized services in the conversion of hard copy map information to digital data for your GIS. Very useful to P3DM mapmakers !

Map Maker is simple to use yet powerful map making and GIS software for Windows. It is available as the free program "Map Maker Gratis" and the more advanced "Map Maker Pro". Map Maker Pro is a low-cost system now in use in over 100 countries. It is used in a wide range of environmental work including forestry and fisheries. It supports, raster, vector, and DTM data and can import and export a wide range of formats including ArcView shape files and MapInfo mif/mid files. Map Maker Pro includes 3D features including perspective views, contouring, cross-sections etc.

 DIVA-GIS is free geographic information system (GIS) software. DIVA-GIS was specifically developed for use with biological distribution data such as available from natural history museums and genebanks. With DIVA-GIS you can: (i) map the locations of sites where populations of plant or animal species were observed, and of different characters that may have been recorded for these populations. (ii) make grid maps of the distribution of biological diversity, and identify “hotspots” and areas that have complementary levels of diversity; and (iii) extract climate data for localities points, and predict the presence of species based on climate.

The Biogeography & Conservation Lab's research programme is a specific Natural History Museum (NHM) response to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the lab is now an active partner in many national and international biodiversity initiatives. Its mission is to develop and apply appropriate, explicit and accountable methods to tackle problems in biogeography and in biodiversity assessment to meet conservation needs at any spatial scale (it does not provide data). The lab developed Worldmap, an easy-to-use software for exploring geographical patterns in diversity, rarity and conservation priorities from large biological datasets.

The Society for Conservation Geographic Information Systems (SCGIS) is a non-profit organization that works to assist conservationists worldwide in using GIS through communication, networking, scholarships, and training. Membership is open to any individual seeking assistance in the achievement of personal or organizational conservation goals.

The ESRI Conservation Program is the non-profit support arm of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). We have helped to create and develop spatial analysis, computer mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) capability among thousands of non-profit organizations and individual projects of all sizes and types worldwide. We do this by donating and providing millions of dollars worth of computer technology and training for groups just beginning to work on geographic problems, on an ongoing basis, and for advanced groups at the cutting edge of conservation biology and spatial sciences. Conservation/Geography is how we describe their use of these technologies, theories, methods and skills to in their overall mission of conservation and social change.

The Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) supports ready global access to geographic information. This is achieved through the coordinated actions of nations and organizations that promote awareness and implementation of complimentary policies, common standards and effective mechanisms for the development and availability of interoperable digital geographic data and technologies to support decision making at all scales for multiple purposes. These actions encompass the policies, organizational remits, data, technologies, standards, delivery mechanisms, and financial and human resources necessary to ensure that those working at the global and regional scale are not impeded in meeting their objectives.

 GRASS GIS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) is an open source, Free Software Geographical Information System (GIS) with raster, topological vector, image processing, and graphics production functionality that operates on various platforms through a graphical user interface and shell in X-Windows. It is released under GNU General Public License (GPL).

GIS Lounge, where to find GIS data and applications and learn about GIS careers.

GIS Development is a publishing group in the field of geographic information sciences. Its aim is to propagate the importance of Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS in the field of development, planning and management. It integrates the activities pertaining to the field of GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing all over the world with a special focus on Asian countries. It covers not only the technological know-how associated with Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS but also deals with the application of the technologies in different fields of development planning. It endeavors to update the readers about the recent happenings through collection of rare information.

GIS.com  it contains lots of info and educational stuff about GIS. The site is intended to educate anyone interested in geographic technology on the value that technology brings to their day-to-day activities. The site also provides GIS users with resources to help them in their work.

The Geo-Facilities Planning and Information Research Center (GeoPlan) of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Florida's College of Architecture offers a lot of reference information and links on Geographic Information Systems.

The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) coordinates the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). The NSDI encompasses policies, standards, and procedures for organizations to cooperatively produce and share geographic data.

The unofficial ARC/INFO AND ARCVIEW symbol page contains useful symbols (markers and lines) and  fill sets.

FAO-UN GeoNetwork, a Portal to spatial data and information. GeoNetwork’s purpose is: To improve access to and integrated use of spatial data and information, support decision making in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and food security, promote multidisciplinary approaches to sustainable development and enhance understanding of the benefits of geographic information. The facility allows to easily share geographically referenced thematic information between different FAO Units, other UN Agencies, NGO's and other institutions.

Multimap developed an interactive world map at different resolutions ranging from 1:1,000.000 to 1:200,000. For free consultation.

Great maps are available at MapRoom 

UNEP's GRID-Arendal's Online GIS and Map and Graphics Database offers a free collection of maps, graphics and diagrams, illustrating environmental issues. These images are produced using desktop publication software such as Freehand, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw , etc.

MapCruzin is dedicated to providing the data, tools, knowledge, and expertise that will help tribes, governments, community groups, and businesses communicate the various facets of environmental, health and social problems, solutions, and achievements in such a way that they educate, raise community awareness, and facilitate networking. Free downloads.

UNEP's GRID-Arendal's Online GIS and Map and Graphics Database offers free GIS data sets including base maps, and thematic maps on  biodiversity, human population, protected areas, terrestrial geography and wilderness. These dataset are produced using ARC/INFO (for both PC and Unix), ARC/VIEW and IDRISI software.

MapCruzin is dedicated to providing the data, tools, knowledge, and expertise that will help tribes, governments, community groups, and businesses communicate the various facets of environmental, health and social problems, solutions, and achievements in such a way that they educate, raise community awareness, and facilitate networking. Free downloads.

The OutFront Forums are excellent message boards for the Microsoft FrontPage learning community. You can post questions related to  FrontPage software and get qualified replies.

PixelMill is a great site offering quality FrontPage templates, PowerPoint templates, and other web tools

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