Commissioned by the government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, the South Georgia Geographic Information System (SGGIS) enables users to view a detailed map of the islands and select data about the distribution of habitats, invasive species, historic sites and various species such as elephant seals and penguins, which is then overlaid on the map.

The system will not only enable the general public to remotely explore the geography of the islands, but is also expected to be a valuable tool for managing the protection of the islands’ wildlife, particularly the large numbers of
seals and seabirds that are found there. It will help conservationists to plan eradication programmes for invasive species such as rats, which are eating the eggs of ground-nesting sea birds.

‘The SGGIS will bring together difficult data that would otherwise be difficult to predict and help protect the future of South Georgia’s fragile environment, which previously hasn’t been possible,’ said Paul Cooper, GIS manager of the BAS.     

Maxine Bulloch

January 2009