THE APPLICATION OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION-SYSTEMS AND REMOTELY-SENSEDDATA TO THE CONSERVATION OF HEATHLAND FRAGMENTS

The integration of data from field observations and remote sensing wit hin geographic information systems (GIS) offers the potential for rapi d, cost-effective surveying and assessment of biotopes of high conserv ation value. A case study of the Dorset heathlands in southern England illustrates the application of this approach. Information on the hist orical extent of the heathlands was combined with Landsat Thematic Map per (TM) data to assess the current extent of the heathlands together with the potential for adjacent other lands (formerly heathland) to be converted to heathland again. The results of this work showed that th e current extent of the Dorset heathlands is about 44.3 km(2). Heathla nd that had been converted to grassland since 1960 was considered to b e the category of land use most suitable for the restoration of heathl nnd. It was found that 27.5% of this type of landfalls within 100 m of existing heathland and, under changed management, could significantly improve the natural resource of the region. This work draws upon an e xisting understanding of heathland ecology and demonstrates the applic ation of geographical information systems to the solution of ecologica l and conservation problems.