What Characteristics Should be Utilized to determine priority areas for Conservation?

Abstract

This project goal was to create a tool to use in prioritizing areas for conservation in the region. This was achieved by researching and analyzing the existing conservation areas of the region using ArcGIS and environmental resource maps provided by OKI. We compared layers from 2015 and 2019 to identify important variables to study. We then created multiple scenarios with different data combinations to create the most effective tool for identifying priority areas. The determined critical factors for conservation area selection were streams, source water protection, aquifer, endangered species, wetlands, flood plains, open spaces, and parks.