Investigating change using GISIn this activity you will use Reef GIS to investigate factors causing change in coral reef cover and health.
Click to use Reef GIS. Before you begin the activity, explore the menus on the left hand side of the screen. You have three options: Maps, Layer and Legends. Maps allows you to select from different map themes. Layers allows to select the type of information that shows on your map Legends allows you to see the colours or symbols used on the map and a label to explain what they mean. Some of the map themes you can choose from include: Location of coral reefs, Coral diseases, Coral bleaching and Sea Surface Temperatures, Reefs At Risk, Solomon's Post-disaster and Marine Protected Areas. Begin by exploring the Location of Coral Reefs. Click the option from the Maps list. You can view this information at a global scale or zoom in the look more closely at individual countries, by selecting the country name from the drop down list. When you click on the Layers tab you are able to click the types (or layers) of information that you want to view. In this case, you can view reefs by type, geomorphology or depth. Each category of information is shaded in a different colour to help you see the information. The Legend provides the colour and category of information shown by the colour, but you can also see this information in the Layers tab. |
Comparative study: Australia and Indonesia, Malaysia or Papua New Guinea
Choose an issue/factor affecting coral reefs from the themes in the Maps section. Examine the data shown in the map. Write an information report including the following:
Choose an issue/factor affecting coral reefs from the themes in the Maps section. Examine the data shown in the map. Write an information report including the following:
- Describe the issue/factor causing change in coral reef environments globally (comment on spatial distribution, scale, etc). Propose an explanation for the spatial patterns/trends you can see.
- Conduct secondary research to identify the causes of this change in Australia and at least one of the listed countries.
- For both Australia and one other country, describe the extent of the change shown in the Reef GIS map.
- Describe how Geographical Information Systems (like Reef GIS) might be used to analyse geographical information, make predictions and suggest management strategies.
- Reflect on the information you have gathered. Propose individual, community or government actions that could be taken to address the issue/factor affecting coral reefs.