The Land Change Modeler for ArcGIS is a
software extension for analyzing and predicting landcover change and
assessing the implications of that change for biodiversity. The Land
Change Modeler is also available and integrated within the IDRISI
software, sold separately.
Clark Labs worked with Conservation
International over a period of several years to develop a flexible
software environment that could be used for a variety of land change
scenarios and contexts. It was released within the IDRISI software in
2006. Integration of the Land Change Modeler with the ArcGIS software
broadens its accessibility for users concerned with land change,
conservation and biodiversity.
IDRISI now includes an interface to MARXAN within the Land Change Modeler application that facilitates its use.
The software interface is
sequentially organized around the major task areas for change analysis,
prediction and habitat analysis to ensure a smooth workflow. Users have
access to a context-sensitive help system and a comprehensive set of
tutorial exercises and data included with the software which provide a
planned and structured approach to learning.
Tools specifically tailored for habitat and
biodiversity issues include:
- species-specific habitat assessment to
develop maps of primary and secondary habitats
-potential corridors and
unsuitable areas
-biodiversity assessment,
-species
distribution modeling
-range polygon refinement
-and biological corridor
development
-planning tools allow the user to specify
infrastructural or other modifications that would impact the change to
be modeled
