Developing an Interactive Mapping Tool for Identifying and Prioritizing Potential Restoration Habitat in Mesoamerica
Research Location:
Mesoamerica
Conservation Partner:
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Student Researcher
Kat Baganski ’21, Major: Anthropology, Major: Environmental Policy
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Robert RoseProject Description
Rapid deforestation across Mesoamerica is driven by the growth of cattle ranching, climate change, and land use change. Wildlife Conservation Socity (WCS) is working with conservation partners across Mexoamerica to coordinate restoration efforts and to compile and analyze data to advance collaboration on restoration across the region.
Kat worked closely with communities and conservation stakeholders to develop an accessible mapping tool designed to help stakeholders identify and prioritize which areas might be suitable for restoration given 1) current title/ownership, 2) current land cover/land use, and 3) possible length of time since conversion. This geospatial research project focused on developing an analysis of potential restoration sites for WCS and other stakeholders in MesoAmerica. She developed a report and online interactive map that WCS can use to build support for their restoration of identified landscapes.
