MRI: Acquisition of Conservation Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Instrumentation

芝加哥植物园已经获得了主要研究仪器(MRI)的资金，以装备一个最先进的保护地理信息系统(GIS)实验室，以支持研究和保护，以及中学、大专和研究生教育和公民科学计划。自地图发明以来，地理信息系统在处理地理和空间数据方面一直是最大的技术进步。这些技术将极大地加强芝加哥植物园的基础和应用研究和培训计划。由于气候变化和入侵物种处于保护问题的前沿，地理信息系统技术提供了必要的工具来阐明植物种群的空间生态，它们如何预测它们将如何随着气候变化而移动，以及零散的景观是否有足够的联系来实现这一点。在人类影响的景观背景下，了解原生生物和入侵生物的空间生态对于保护原生景观及其提供的宝贵生态系统服务至关重要。这种设备将简化研究工作，帮助花园的科学家(包括公民科学家和学生)促进植物保护科学，以及我们对各种主题的理解，如全球和地区植物和相关土壤有机体的分布，零散种群的空间遗传学，气候变化下物种范围变化的预测，入侵物种的扩散，以及重新引入物种的气候和栖息地要求。花园的教学中心与当地许多K-12学校建立了合作伙伴关系，并设想在现有的科学教育课程中增加地理元素。空间思维和研究技能将帮助未来的科学家和决策者在一个日益由技术驱动的世界中取得成功。通过积极参与科学和保护团体，研究成果将被广泛和有效地传播给公众。此外，该园每年接待超过75万名参观者，公众人士将有机会参观实验室设施，并通过实验室外的展品了解研究活动。

The Chicago Botanic Garden has obtained Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) funding to equip a state-of-the-art Conservation Geographic Information System (GIS) laboratory in support of research and conservation, as well as secondary, post-secondary and graduate education and citizen science programs. GIS has been the greatest technological advance in the handling of geographic and spatial data since the invention of the map. These technologies will greatly enhance fundamental and applied research and training programs at the Chicago Botanic Garden. With climate change and invasive species at the forefront of conservation concerns, GIS technology provides the tools necessary to elucidate the spatial ecology of plant populations, how they are predicted to move in response to a changing climate, and whether fragmented landscapes are connected enough to allow this to happen. Understanding the spatial ecology of native and invasive organisms in the context of human-impacted landscapes is crucial to conserving native landscapes and the valuable ecosystem services they provide. This equipment will streamline research efforts, helping Garden scientists (including citizen scientists and students) advance plant conservation science and our understanding of topics as diverse as the global and regional distribution of plants and associated soil organisms, the spatial genetics of fragmented populations, predictions of species range shifts under climate change, dispersal of invasive species, and the climatic and habitat requirements for reintroduced species.The Garden's Center for Teaching and Learning has partnerships with many local K-12 schools and envisions adding a geographic element to existing science education offerings. Spatial thinking and research skills will help future scientists and decision makers succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world. Research results will be widely and effectively disseminated to the public through active participation in scientific and conservation groups. Additionally, the Garden hosts over 750,000 visitors per year, and the general public will have an opportunity to view the laboratory facilities and learn about research activities through exhibits outside of the laboratory.