Geographic information systems and remote sensing applications for ecosystem management

Ecosystem management requires a more holistic approach than the
focused practices of the past.  Wildlife management traditionally
concentrated on maintenance of specific habitat types used by a
limited number of wildlife species.  An ecosystem approach demands
that managers take a broader view of the landscape, beyond
political boundaries, and necessitates an understanding of the
interrelationships among not only the wildlife and habitat
components but also the human component of the ecosystem. 
Geographic information systems and remote sensing technologies
provide tools for resource managers to use in analyzing
ecosystems, allowing the manager to visualize and quantify the
available information.  Three case studies using these computer
technologies are discussed: a landscape approach to resource
management in the Upper Mississippi River System; a proactive
approach to habitat modeling for migratory birds in the Upper
Mississippi River corridor; and an overview of Gap Analysis, a
national biodiversity effort, in the context of a tri-state
project in the Upper Midwest.