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Environmental decisions are actions that affect the capacity of the
environment to provide for human needs and desires. Environmental
data represent characteristics or attributes of the environment. Ideally,
environmental data would be available to us in a form that shows
patterns in space, trends in time, and attributes that occur concurrently
with each other because of dependencies or interactions. Decision
makers need to be able to see and understand these patterns, trends,
and dependencies to predict the effects of a decision on the environment
over time.
Environmental data typically have been collected, evaluated, cataloged,
and stored in a large number of disciplinary categories, often by
scientists studying in particular disciplines (e.g. geology, biology) or
agencies with mandates to collect and track certain types of data (e.g.
census data, toxic release inventory). These data are typically provided
in lists or summaries that do not link to each other in space or time. That
is, the data usually only can be used to show a "snapshot" of one set of
conditions at a particular place and time. Much manipulation of
data--collected at different times and scales, for different purposes--is
usually needed to show the patterns, trends, and dependencies that
decision makers need to see.
Fortunately, new understanding and technologies are enabling us to
view data in spatial context using geographic information systems (GIS).
Overlays of GIS data "layers" can show concurrences which may
indicate dependencies. Advances in image analysis and modeling
techniques are enhancing our ability to visualize changes with time and
to project possible future conditions with or without the effects of a
particular decision or action. Our toolkit
and many of the sites to which we link
offer access to some of these techniques.
Here we provide links to data available in many forms. The data links are
cross referenced so you may find them a number of ways. You may
search for particular types of data using our search function. This will
lead you to data links based on metadata or descriptions about data
available at other sites. (It does not necessarily search the other sites
for your request.) You may select data from a traditional categorical listing
that you can browse through. Or you can generate a listing of data links
available for a place by selecting a place or area on our zoomable map.
This site is under development.
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