Industry
Biodiversity/The Natural Environment
The Client
The Strangford Lough & Lecale Partnership (SLLP) aims to protect the diverse natural, cultural and historic heritage of the Strangford and Lecale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The Challenge
The SLLP was formed to coordinate the management of the entire AONB -The SLLP also had to find new ways to collate and disseminate information about the whole area, to anyone who wanted it.
Solution
Esri Ireland recommended and deployed a hosted, web-based GIS application. The solution comprises a number of customised, web-based GIS services, which are delivered to the SLLP web site users via the Amazon cloud.
Benefits
GIS now plays a key role in helping the SLLP to promote the AONB. The online maps are accessed by local residents and visitors to the area, as well as academics who are researching the history, geology or biodiversity of the region.
Summary
The SLLP also uses its GIS solution to create maps that help it visualise and analyse proposed development plans. For example, it can view data about the flora on the lough bottom alongside proposed sites for new yacht moorings. It can then recommend the sites where there will be the least impact on important marine habitats. Stéphanie says: “GIS enables us to look at management issues – both above and beneath the water – in a much more coordinated way.”
In addition, maps generated using the GIS solutions are put to good use in meetings with partners and local community groups. Depending on the concerns and interests of each individual group, the SLLP can tailor the maps to show pertinent data. “The maps make a very good impression and help us to promote ourselves and raise awareness of issues,” Stéphanie believes.
Through its work, the SLLP often faces situations where there is the possibility of conflict between environmental, leisure and commercial priorities. In these instances, the organisation acts in an advisory capacity to help groups make the best decisions. “Even in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there will always be a need for economic growth and recreational activity,” Stéphanie observes. “It is our job to promote ways for businesses and individuals to use the area in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way. Maps are very useful for helping us to bring together a wide range of issues, find the common ground and encourage cooperation.”