Antarctic Geodiversity and Geosystem Services Mapping

Geospatial data on geology, geomorphology, pedology, and hydrology is used to map geodiversity in Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys. The project overlays this with data on placenames, scientific samples, and participatory surveys to identify geo-social diversity hotspots. This research, conducted by an NSF postdoctoral fellow with the AMD_USAPDC organization, is active with planned outputs through 2026.

Use Cases

• Map regional geodiversity by combining geospatial layers for geology, geomorphology, pedology, and hydrology.
• Identify priority conservation sites by overlaying geodiversity maps with existing protected area boundaries.
• Analyze geo-social diversity hotspots using integrated data on placenames and scientific sample locations.
• Assess geosystem services by analyzing data from a web-based participatory mapping survey.

Strengths

• Integrates multiple thematic geospatial data layers (geology, geomorphology, pedology, hydrology).
• Combines abiotic mapping with social data sources like placenames and participatory surveys.
• Focuses on the scientifically significant and data-sparse McMurdo Dry Valleys region.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, column details, and sample data are unavailable for assessment.
• The dataset's completeness and final spatial resolution are not described.
• Temporal coverage and update schedule for the underlying source data are unspecified.

Provenance

Source

NSF-funded postdoctoral research project via NASA Earthdata, organization AMD_USAPDC.

Collection Method

Interdisciplinary mixed-method approach combining geospatial analysis and participatory mapping.

Freshness

Project activity extends through 2026, but source data recency is unknown.

Geography

McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.