Designing an Online Geospatial System for Forest Resource Management

Peter G. Oduor, Michael Armstrong, Larry Kotchman, Michael Kangas, Buddhika Maddurapperuma, Kelsey Forward, Pubudu Wijeyaratne, Xiana Santos, Akiko Nakamura, Krystal Leidholm

California Department of Fish & Game, Washburn, USA.
Department of Computer Science, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA.
Department of Forestry, Mississippi State University, Starkville, USA.
Department of Geosciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA.
East View Geospatial, Minneapolis, USA.
Environmental & Conservation Science Program, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA.
IT Systems Vulnerability, Sanford Health Fargo, Fargo, USA.
North Dakota Forest Service, Bottineau, USA.
North Dakota Forest Service, North Dakota State University, Fargo, USA.
Wenck Associates North Dakota, Fargo, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/jgis.2014.63019                

Abstract

Geographic and Geospatial information systems (GISs) have especially benefited from increased development of their inherent capabilities and improved deployment. These systems offer a wide range of services, for example, user-friendly forms that interact with the geospatial components for locational information and geographic extents. An online distributed platform was designed for forest resource management with map elements residing on a GIS platform. This system is accessible on non-authenticated browsers optimized for desktops; whereas the online resource management forms are also accessible on mobile platforms. The system was primarily designed to aid foresters in implementing resource management plans or track threats to forest resource. Baseline data from the system can be easily visualized and mapped. Other data from the systemcan provide input for stochastic analyses especially with respect to forest resource management.

Keywords

ArcGIS Server, Wildland Fire, Forest Stewardship, North Dakota

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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