M.N.R.E. workers get help with data collection and analysis

17 October 2017, 12:00AM

Staff members of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E), who deal with Protected Area management, are in a better position today to deal with data collection and analysis.

This is thanks to a training in real-world data collection using Global Positioning System (G.P.S) and data analysis using Geographical Information Systems (G.I.S) held recently. 

“The collection of accurate spatial data, coupled with the ability to import, analyse and manage it, is critical for monitoring and reporting on our environment at the national level, and for regional and international commitments,” said Ryan Wright, Lead Trainer and Spatial Planning Officer at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P).

The training was organised and implemented under the Biodiversity and Protected Areas programme of S.P.R.E.P and the Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management in the Pacific Island Countries (M.A.C.B.I.O) project, as part of S.P.R.E.Ps efforts to promote regional uptake of lessons and outcomes in M.A.C.B.I.O.

“This training will provide M.N.R.E staff with the specific skillsets for a range of activities, including integrated coastal zone planning, accurately mapping their protected areas and updating their national protected area dataset. These efforts will place Samoa in a strong position to achieve global, regional and national targets and priorities,” said Amanda Wheatley, Ecosystems and Biodiversity Officer at S.P.R.E.P.

Participants received field training to apply theoretical knowledge about G.P.S, capturing data for monitoring of three nature reserves in the Apia area, including boundaries, important features and associated assets.

During the next session participants went back to the office where they were taught the theory behind G.I.S and learnt how to import, style, label and manage the important spatial data they captured in the field using their G.P.S devices.

Participants created their own workspaces, reviewed their collected data and created a spatial accurate protected area, calculated it’s area and then created professional maps for use in reports.

“Understanding G.I.S is crucial in our current efforts by assessing and validating ecological representation of the existing protected area programmes in Samoa,” said Czarina Iese-Stowers of M.N.R.E.

“Such technology is valuable to visualize and present suitable data to optimise our work with key areas that are very significant to conservation and protection of our natural resources such as marine and terrestrial biodiversity. Using G.I.S and available G.I.S tools can accelerate our confidence in planning surveys and research and challenges in the field for data collection. 

“We aim to collect and validate the existing information on protected areas both terrestrial and marine to achieve the highest rate of biodiversity conservation in Samoa.” 

The training was made possible through assistance from S.P.R.E.Ps Programme of Support for Protected Areas and input from Ryan Wright, Spatial Planning Officer for the M.A.C.B.I.O project.

17 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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