INVENTORY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF WETLAND HABITAT ON THE WINNEBAGO UPPER POOL LAKES, WISCONSIN, USA: AN INTEGRATED MULTIMEDIA-GIS APPROACH

An integrated, multimedia-geographic information system (GIS) approach to inventorying and characterizing thirty-nine wetland sites identified on the Winnebago Upper Pool Lakes in Wisconsin, USA was developed. Available black-and-white aerial photographs recorded in 1937, 1957, and 1981 and color digital orthophotos of 2000 were employed as primary data sources to develop a spatio-temporal GIS database using a combination of digital image processing, GIS, Global Positioning System (GPS), and field survey techniques. Ten representative sites were selected to investigate the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the wetland habitat in the study area further. Multimedia information as text, graphics, ground photographs, and digital video was then developed to highlight the ecosystem function and structure of those representative wetlands. A computer-based interactive multimedia system, consisting of a graphical user interface and a GIS application module, was constructed to allow easy access to both the spatial data sets and the multimedia information. Given the increased concern over environmental preservation, expansion of urban development, and agricultural land use, it is anticipated that the database will prove valuable for a series of management tasks. The integrated approach provides an innovative way for integrating, analyzing, and presenting wetland information, thus enabling truly interactive collaborations among resource managers, policy makers, researchers, and stakeholders.