Free open source geospatial tools for improving natural resource management

Sustainable natural resource management, requires spatial land resource data. Since decentralization of governance occurred in Indonesia, financial and human capacity for natural resource mapping, monitoring and modelling remains low in Regencial and Provincial governments. This presentation demonstrates new opportunities provided by the increasing availability of free satellite imagery, digital elevation data and open source spatial analysis software for local government and NGOs to conduct sophisticated natural resource mapping and modelling in a way that meets their needs and incorporates local knowledge. To improve the skills of natural resource managers, remote sensing, terrain analysis and GIS skills need to be taught in universities using free open source software. New Indonesian language training materials provide the missing link for training of local government officers (see sagagisindonesia.wordpress.com.) Reported are cases of local researchers trained in GIS and remote sensing applying free geospatial data and tools in eastern Indonesia with a particular focus on raster data applications for satellite image analysis and DEM terrain modelling.