Service:  Provide expert GIS analysis to support conservation research
and consulting.

The Technology:  GIS provides tools to organize, analyze, and display
geospatial information.  The technology integrates database operations
such as query and statistical analysis with geographic analysis, modeling,
and mapping capabilities.  The flexibility and capabilities of a GIS come
from its ability to store geographic information as interactive map layers
which can be overlaid and related for advanced visualization and analysis

Our Contribution:  We are equipped with the latest ArcGIS capabilities to
provide GIS services in support of conservation research and consulting.  
We work closely with Earth Systems Research Institute (ESRI) as a beta
tester and as a contributor to develop new tools, such as the recently
released Solar Radiation Tools.  We use GIS analysis in the majority of our
projects, from basic mapping of sample locations to sophisticated
modeling of microclimate as it influences population dynamics.

More Information and Downloads:  
• ESRI:  http://www.esri.com
• Society for Conservation GIS:  http://www.scgis.org
• ArcGIS Solar Radiation Tools:  http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.
2/index.cfm?TopicName=An_overview_of_the_Solar_Radiation_tools

Examples:
Copyright 2011 © Creekside Center for Earth Observation LLC. All rights reserved.
Creekside Center
for Earth Observation
Selected Publications

Carr, T.R., P.M. Rich, and J.D. Bartley.  2007.  The NATCARB geoportal: linking distributed data from the
Carbon Sequestration Regional Partnerships.  Journal of Map and Geography Libraries, "Special Issue
on Department of Energy (DOE) Geospatial Science Innovations" 4:131-147.  
pdf

Dubayah, R. and P.M. Rich. 1995. Topographic solar radiation models for GIS. International Journal of
Geographic Information Systems
9:405–419.  pdf

Fu, P., and P.M. Rich. 2002. A geometric solar radiation model with applications in agriculture and
forestry.
Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 37:25-35. pdf

Goodchild, M.F., P. Fu, and P.M. Rich.  2007.  Geographic information sharing: the case of the Geospatial
One-Stop portal.  
Annals of the Association of American Geographers 97: 250-266. pdf

Keating, G.N., P.M. Rich, and M.S. Witkowski. 2003. Challenges for enterprise GIS. URISA 15:23-36.  pdf

McLaughlin, J.F., S.B. Weiss, P.M. Rich, and D.A. Debinski. 1992. Roles of GIS in conservation.
Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual ESRI User Conference. pp 237–247.  
pdf

Mynard, C.R., G.N. Keating, and P.M. Rich.  2007.  GIS community mutualism pays off in a New Mexico
fire emergency.  Chapter 2.  Fostering Collaboration and Communication, pp. 39-49 In: Christopher
Thomas (ed).  Standards for Success: GIS for Federal Progress and Accountability.  ESRI Press,
Redlands, CA.  
pdf

Rich, P.M. 2000. Topography, microclimate, and vegetation patterns of the Landels–Hill Big Creek
Reserve: reflections, cogitations, and some lessons. Proceedings of the 20th Anniversary Symposium,
Big Creek Reserve, CA.  
pdf

Rich, P.M., J.S. Bollinger, B. Bhaduri, and D.R. Bleakly.  2007.  Perspective on Department of Energy
geospatial science: past, present, and future.  Journal of Map and Geography Libraries, "Special Issue
on Department of Energy (DOE) Geospatial Science Innovations" 4:29-58.  
pdf

Rich, P.M., S.B. Weiss, D.A. Debinski, and J.F. McLaughlin. 1992. Physiographic inventory of a tropical
reserve. Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual ESRI User Conference. pp 197–208.  
pdf

Van de Ven, C.M., S.B. Weiss, and W.G. Ernst. 2007.  Plant species distributions under current
conditions and forecasted for warmer climates in an arid mountain range.
Earth Interactions 11:1-33.  
pdf

Weiss, S.B., et al. 2005. Topoclimate and microclimate in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
(Mexico). World Wildlife Fund Report.   
pdf  pdf (text only)

Weiss, S.B., P.M. Rich, and A.E. Launer. 2008. San Francisquito Creek Habitat Monitoring Project:
Stream Temperature Characterization. San Francisquito Watershed Council Report.
pdf

Witkowski, M.S., P.M. Rich, and G.N. Keating.  2007. Metrics of success for Enterprise GIS.  Journal of
Map and Geography Libraries, "Special Issue on Department of Energy (DOE) Geospatial Science
Innovations" 4:59-82.  
pdf
GIS analysis of spatial patterns of water temperature
predicts habitat suitability for aquatic organisms in San
Francisquito Watershed, CA (from Weiss et al. 2008).
Geographic Information System (GIS)
The overlay of map layers in a GIS
enables powerful geospatial analysis
and display (courtesy of ESRI).
GIS analysis of microclimate predicts habitat suitability for
overwintering butterfly populations in the Monarch Butterfly
Biosphere Reserve, Mexico (from Weiss et al. 2005).
GIS-based predicted distributions of three plant species in
response to climate warming (
3°C temperature increase)
in the White Mountains, CA (from Van de ven et al. 2007).