Geographic Information Systems (GIS)


Map of species richness of wild peanuts in South America created using GIS technology. Credit: A. Jarvis/Bioversity

Genetic resources management is a complex process that includes a number of mutually dependent stages, from the identification of a target gene pool for conservation to the use of genetic resources. Many of these activities not only generate but also require geo-referenced data. Analysis of these data with geographic information system (GIS) technology can make the process more efficient and effective.

GIS technology and biodiversity

GIS can merge genetic diversity information with other geo-referenced data such as population density, climate, topography and soils, adding value to genetic resources. GIS analysis can help develop conservation strategies, monitor genetic diversity, select potential collecting sites, design in situ reserves and enhance genetic resources use.

Bioversity has developed DIVA-GIS in partnership with other CGIAR Centres, and has played a central role in disseminating and training national partners on the use of FloraMap.

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DIVA - Turning data into maps

The geographic distribution of diversity is an important consideration at all stages of genetic resource exploration and conservation, yet a difficult parameter to visualize and analyze. Diversity studies generally divide the target area into smaller areas of equal size (often squares in a grid pattern), for which a measure of diversity is calculated and compared to that of the other units.

Off-the-shelf GIS software can carry out such an analysis but can be expensive and difficult to learn. In order to support national plant genetic resources programmes and regional networks assess their genetic diversity, Bioversity and the International Potato Center (CIP), with the financial support of CGIAR's System-Wide Genetic Resource Programme (SGRP) have developed DIVA - GIS, a GIS software tool specifically designed to calculate diversity indices on the bases of latitude, longitude and characterization data of a set of accessions. The software presents the results in a map that can be used for decision-making.

It was developed specifically for use with genebank data available through national or international genebank documentation systems, such as SINGER, the genetic resources information exchange network of the CGIAR, and the European Plant Genetic Resources Catalogue (EURISCO).

European Forest Genetic Resource Network (EUFORGEN) has used DIVA-GIS to plot distribution maps for many European tree species.

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FloraMap - A tool for predicting the distribution of plants and other organisms in the wild

FloraMap, the product of more than 20 years of research at the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), is a software that allows biodiversity specialists to map the likely distribution of species in nature, plan programmes to collect them and decide where to set up in situ conservation programs. FloraMap can also be used to study the taxonomic and genetic variation of particular species, and to map the distribution of crop pests and their natural enemies.

In South America, Bioversity, in collaboration with CIAT, has used Floramap to predict where wild varieties of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea)could be found and help sound an alarm about the threats these varieties faced from climate change and development.

Read more from an article in Bioversity's Annual Report 2001:
Peanut conservation moves into the 21st century

In Africa, Bioversity used FloraMap to predict where patches of wild rice (Oryza) might be found.

Read more from an article in Bioversity's Annual Report 2001:
Computers speed the search for wild rice

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