Prospects and main aspects of the GIS-technologies application for monitoring of biodiversity (on the example of the Chornobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve)

Abstract

We developed the conceptual model of the use of GIS technologies in the activity of natural reserve fund objects on the example of the Chornobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve. The GIS technologies is highly demanded due to the large area of the object, the complexity of the technogenic environment (radiation pollution), and the lack of a single database for the years preceding the creation of the Reserve. Therefore, the creation of the Reserve's geoportal is an important prerequisite for integrated dynamic monitoring of the environment and biodiversity. The functional diagram of the formation and usage of the Reserve spatial database components consists of three units. They are the unit of data filling (attribute information), the received information processing unit (filling layers), and the unit of information usage (cartographic material). At present, we have created the basis for the Chornobyl Radiation-Ecological Biosphere Reserve geoportal. The further filling of the geoportal is provided by the established process of data collection in frameworks of the main proposed thematic blocks: geological structure, topography, climate, water bodies, soils, flora, fauna, ecology, and landscapes’ diversity. The geoportal is the central platform of natural geographic and related information, which will be the key driver and the basis for management decisions in the field of environmental impact assessment, in the allocation of functional zones, zones of special control, delineation of areas of special scientific, security or other interest, planning of monitoring objects, test sites, wildlife migration corridors, etc.