The Mapping Process
WILD's goal is to synthesize the varied data about earth's remaining natural ecosystems and graphically present it in a standard form.
Base Maps
In order to record , analyze and communicate natural areas data in a systematic
way, WILD will use systems of base maps at different scales:
| Global | 1:20,000,000 |
| National | 1-5,000,000 |
| Provincial/State | 1:500,000 |
| Local | 10-250,000 |
The base maps will include necessary information for locating thematic data:
Physical geography: coastline, topography, hydrology
Cultural geography: political boundaries, urban centers, transportation
infrastructure
Thematic Data
The specific data to be mapped by WILD will be divided into thematic types,
including:
Biogeography
Protected Area Systems
Unprotected Natural Ecosystems
Conservation Proposals
Native and Traditional /Perspective of Land and Resources
Threats to Natural Areas
Data Sources
Data about wild places is, in most cases scattered, incomplete and unavailable
to the public. WILD is collecting data from:
government offices research institutes non-government organizations
indigenous and local groups
private industry - especially for remote sensing data
WILD is maintaining a computer database to keep track of map availability by
country and thematic type. Detailed information about individual natural
ecosystems is being requested on a WILD standardized report form.
If any readers of this paper have information WILD might find useful, please
contact campaign headquarters.
Information Processing
WILD is considering the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to access, manage and process data. Fonts, symbols, tones , tints, and title blocks will al be standardized in order to create a uniform appearance and thus make easier the comparison of information found on different maps.
An automated GIS will save time in the race to protect natural areas.
Map Review
When the available information for a country is in the database, we will make a preliminary map for review by experts and by organizations and individuals who provided the data.
Information Distribution
At regular intervals WILD will publish newspapers describing the current state of the campaign and progress on data collection and map production. WILD's database will be made available to organizations and individuals through modem or mail.
Timeline
Data collection and updating of data will be ongoing. The final date for data input for the first global series of WILD maps at the national scale will be March 31, 1991.
