COM 0844.000 2020-2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1. PLANT PRESERVATION, RESTORATION, MAPPING, AND MAINTENANCE Plant Mapping (Parcels 1, 2, and 3): The Garden has always collected information on each plant species that grows here, but the thirty years-worth of records are not usable because they are either kept as a paper record or have been entered into a computer system that is archaic. Technology has vastly improved over the past several years and the computer systems now used can store the plant data that has been collected so it can be used for the Garden as well as scientists and researchers around the world. Updating the computer system at the Garden is an urgent need, and we have a matching grant from Mosaic of up to $4,000 (noted in our budget) that will fund the purchase of an appropriate laptop (that also can be used in the Nursery or Visitor's center), as well as providing internet access in Garden areas. The GIS system which is a spatial analysis database program, will be used to analyze various factors about each plant species using a comprehensive set of analytical methods and spatial algorithms. The analysis can help uncover hidden patterns and improve predictive modeling. Locations of plant species can be mapped that will help distinguish spatial patterns in the data so better decisions on landscape activities can be made before taking action. GIS allows the user the ability to create, use, and share maps and to sort the data in multiple configurations to support plant research, landscape planning, and public presentations. To accomplish this project, the Garden needs to create GIS maps of plant locations that will include not only where that plant is located in the Garden but also information on plant condition, age, history, etc. The GIS technology will be used for new out-plantings and can provide landscape maps of the Garden showing each habitat area's location and the plants that grow in that particular area (lowland plants, dry-land forest plants, agricultural cultivars, rare/threatened plants, upper elevation forest, etc.). Currently, the Garden has older GIS/CAD maps that will be eventually merged with the ones being created by the new GIS platform. To accomplish this huge task, we propose to hire a contract horticulturist (see below) to assist the Garden manager, who is competent in GIS mapping for this year long project. The Garden will benefit in terms of increased management of plan maintenance, plant conservation, and the ability to continue biological studies of Hawaiian plants. 15