Course Duration: 5 days

Course Description

This course introduces the fundamentals and practical applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the management and conservation of natural resources. Participants will learn how GIS tools support data collection, spatial analysis, and decision-making for sustainable use of land, water, forests, minerals, and biodiversity. Through hands-on exercises and case studies, the course emphasizes how GIS can be used to address environmental challenges such as deforestation, land degradation, water scarcity, and climate change, enabling evidence-based planning and policy development.

Course Objectives

• By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
• Understand the core concepts and functions of GIS.
• Use GIS tools to map, monitor, and analyze natural resources.
• Integrate spatial data into environmental and resource management planning.
• Conduct land use/land cover change analysis using remote sensing and GIS.
• Apply GIS in designing sustainable resource use strategies.

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to GIS and Natural Resource Management

• Definition and principles of GIS
• Importance of spatial data in resource management
• Overview of natural resources and sustainability frameworks

Module 2: GIS Data Types and Sources

• Raster vs. vector data
• Sources of spatial data: satellite imagery, drones, GPS, government databases
• Data quality, metadata, and accuracy

Module 3: GIS Software and Tools

• Overview of common GIS software: QGIS, ArcGIS, Google Earth Engine
• Basic GIS operations: digitizing, georeferencing, buffering, overlay
• Spatial databases and data management

Module 4: Applications in Land and Forest Resource Management

• Land use and land cover (LULC) mapping
• Forest inventory, deforestation monitoring, and REDD+
• Agroforestry and land degradation assessments

Module 5: Applications in Water and Mineral Resource Management

• Watershed and hydrological modeling
• Groundwater recharge zone identification
• GIS in mining exploration and environmental compliance

Module 6: Environmental Change Detection and Monitoring

• Time-series analysis of satellite imagery
• Detecting urban expansion, soil erosion, desertification
• Climate vulnerability mapping

Module 7: Decision Support and Planning Tools

• Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA)
• Scenario building and suitability analysis
• Participatory GIS (PGIS) for community-based resource planning

Module 8: Case Studies and Project Work

• National and local examples of GIS in action (e.g., forest mapping in Kenya)
• Student project: develop a GIS-based resource management plan
• Presentation and peer feedback

Teaching Methods

• Lectures and tutorials
• Practical lab sessions using QGIS/ArcGIS
• Real-world case study analysis
• Group discussions and presentations
• Field-based data collection exercises (if feasible)

Assessment Methods

• Hands-on GIS assignments and mapping exercises
• Individual and group project reports
• Mid-course and final quizzes
• Presentation of final GIS project

Target Audience

• Environmental scientists and planners
• Natural resource managers and conservationists
• GIS analysts and technicians
• Graduate students in geography, environmental studies, and planning
• Government and NGO staff involved in environmental monitoring