This document summarizes Steven Eglinton's work using GIS and mapping technologies to support conservation efforts at the Iracambi Atlantic Rainforest Research and Conservation Centre in Brazil. The center uses GIS to map land use, monitor threats from mining activities, and engage local communities. Maps have helped the center legally challenge mining proposals, illustrate proximity to protected areas, and develop a web map for information sharing. Future plans include expanding the web map, focusing on metadata and information management, and providing web services.

1. Geo-Enabling Local Communities in Brazil
2009 ESRI European User Conference
Vilnius, Lithuania
14–16 October 2009
Steven Eglinton

2. Agenda
• My involvement with GIS
• The Atlantic Rainforest and Iracambi
• Maps and GIS at Iracambi
• Future of GIS at Iracambi
• Conclusions

3. Introduction
Steven Eglinton
• Geospatial Consultant
GeoEnable, London, UK
• Iracambi GIS - International Advisory
Committee
Iracambi Conservation Centre, MG, Brazil

4. What is Iracambi?
Iracambi Atlantic Rainforest Research
and
Conservation Centre
www.iracambi.com

5. Iracambi, Minas Gerais, Brazil

6. Iracambi’s Aims
1) To make the conservation of the
Atlantic Rainforest more appealing
than its destruction
2) To research, develop and support
sustainable sources of income
3) To inventory, monitor and promote
endangered species in the forest
4) To act as a hub for the community

7. Iracambi work streams
The four main areas of activity are:
• forest restoration / forest corridors
• environmental education
• community outreach
• the search for alternative income sources,
focusing on the medicinal plants native to the
forests
• GIS and land management

8. Changes to the Atlantic Rainforest

10. Who we shared the forest with…

13. Cartography, GIS and Survey at Iracambi
• Slow start with occasional specialists
• GPS surveys over-laid with 1:50k map
• Quickly demand was great
• Boost with long-term management
• Main issues are always with -
information management and continuity

14. Geospatial Information Flow
Community Directors
CBERS - China-Brazil
Earth Resources Satellite
Brazil, UK, USA Researchers
Volunteers

15. Early Efforts (2001) – Topographic and Thematic

16. Better? Thematic Mapping
ArcView 3.x / ArcGIS

17. Community Mapping – Land Use

18. Land Use (2004)

19. Mining Threat
• In November 2003 it was discovered
by chance that an international
mining company was seeking a
licence to mine bauxite in Serra das
Aranhas, on Iracambi’s western
boundary.
• GIS has been instrumental in
monitoring this activity
• For the first time we could show how
mining activity could affect land and
local communities
• Show activities in relationship to
designated areas

20. Mining in the State Park
and APAs (2005)
• Scan official environmental designation maps
• Survey other designations
• Geo-reference
• Add other reference layers
• Add homes and settlements
• Research and create mining areas
• Publish for consultation
• Use maps in legal cases
• Won actions against mining company
• Document and teach others
Now – Published via Web map

21. Outcomes of Legal Actions Using Mapped Evidence:
In the meeting, two important declarations were made by Government: firstly, that
seek the approval of
they will require the mining company to
the State Park authorities for all
mining undertakings within the Park
buffer zone and, secondly, the Park Authority stated that it would
not give such approval without the agreement of the State Park council, on which
representatives of thelocal communities and other concerned
bodies (including Iracambi). This is a major step forward in recognising the necessity
of more serious discussion of the protection of the areas
biodiversity.

22. Other uses
• Locations of medicinal plants
Optimal growth zones
3D models
• Catchments area calculations
• Species monitoring
• Change detection of vegetation
• Illustration of proximity of environmental
designations

24. Horse-back Surveys
• Garmin GPS 12
• Dictation Machine
• ESRI ArcGIS desktop
• Free app to convert from GPS unit to
GIS software
• Horse!

25. Was a great opportunity to meet with local communities

26. Land Surveys
• All with regular GPS – accuracy +/- 5m
- (when we had a signal!)
• Walking/Hiking
• Horseback
Lessons Learnt
1) Land constantly changing
2) Area too large to cover
3) Terrain
4) Seasonality
5) Skill sets required – gathering & Processing

27. Aerial Imagery / Satellite Imagery (2005)
• Aerial Imagery
(2004)
•CBERS
(2005)
•IKONOS images
(Aug 2009)

28. GeoWeb: Iracambi Web Map
• Addition of KML files on main site (2008)
• Web Map Requirements Gathering (2008)
• Pilot Web Map launched (late 2008)
• Further requirements and Development (2009)
• Work in progress (present - ongoing)
• Participatory / Collaborative tool
• Main Information Portal
WEB SITE: www.geoenabling.com

29. Iracambi Web Map - current
Community Directors
Web Map
CBERS - China-Brazil
Earth Resources Satellite
Volunteers Researches
Brazil, UK, USA

31. Identify and challenge previously convert mining
activities :

32. Links to more Info:

33. GeoWeb

34. Recent Visitors

35. Thoughts of the Future
• Web GIS offers a great delivery and participatory
opportunity
• GIS is simply a tool – we need to focus on its practical
application in more varied ways
• Education on quality metadata and IM must be the focus
• Clear and meaningful maps will always take an effort
• Skilled individuals at some point will have to set rules,
configure, quality control, evaluate product/services
• Paper is still very useful in some environments!
• Iracambi Web Map - We have .shp to .kml now
• Iracambi Web Services published via ArcGIS Server

36. Thank You for your attention
Web Map: www.geoenabling.com
Video: Iracambi – Doing Our Part
Developed with: www.geoenable.com