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New visualisation of South Georgia
22 October 2008
A new visualisation tool for exploring the subantarctic islands of South Georgia is unveiled today. The South Georgia Geographic Information System (SGGIS) enables researchers and the public to see the islands' environmental landscape in a completely new way and will help to manage and protect the abundant wildlife that lives there, such as the wandering albatross.
The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands commissioned GIS developers at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to create the SGGIS. It combines a detailed interactive map of South Georgia with a variety of information such as the topography, vegetation and glacier change to historic sites, protected areas and distributions of various animals, such as seals and penguins.
British Antarctic Survey GIS manager Paul Cooper says, "The environment of South Georgia is very fragile and under pressure from introduced species, human activities and the effects of climate change. SGGIS will help to minimise these impacts as the system provides more information than was previously available".
The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands views the system as an invaluable tool for future environmental management of the island, whether that be the management of invasive species, the protection of vulnerable species or the long-term monitoring and management of tourist activities.
The SGGIS information will be used to plan eradication programmes for introduced species, such as rats, which have caused ground nesting birds to desert certain areas of South Georgia. For instance, burrowing petrels and the South Georgia pipit now only nest on the smaller rat-free offshore islands and the south coast. The system is also aimed at tourists planning to visit the islands, or anyone with an interest in South Georgia, to give them a greater understanding of the geography and environment.
SGGIS is available to view at www.sggis.gov.gs
For more information click here.
Source: BAS
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