BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN GEOLOGIC RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND DIGITAL GEOLOGIC MAPS IN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Because geologic features and processes serve as the foundation of every ecosystem, understanding the geology of an area is vital for resource management decision making. Bedrock and surficial geologic maps describe the underlying physical composition, structure, and characteristics of the earth and provide the basis for interdisciplinary studies and park resource management. The Geologic Resource Evaluation (GRE) Program of the National Park Service Geologic Resources Division is charged with providing a digital geologic map to all natural resource parks. The GRE Program uses a Geodatabase Data Model to preserve all aspects of a paper map in a digital format. Ultimately, this information will be utilized for park planning, operation and maintenance, visitor protection, and interpretation. However, a map is only useful if the user can read and understand the information it presents. The GRE aims to make this digital product useful to all resource managers, including those without a physical science background. To this end, a geologic resource evaluation report and map unit properties table accompany the digital geologic maps.

GRE reports identify connections between geologic features and processes including mass wasting, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, and resource management issues such as siting of future facilities and visitor safety. Reports highlight geologic features and processes of significance at each park and present brief geologic setting and history sections using nontechnical terms. A table delineating issues, properties, and potential resources and hazards associated with each geologic unit from the digital geologic map directly connect GRE reports and maps. For each map unit, fields in the table include a brief description, age, suitability for development, erosion resistance, geologic hazards, recreation opportunities, global significance, and potential paleontologic, mineral, and cultural resources. This table can be helpful to a resource manager performing spatial analyses in the digital GIS by providing additional information about the physical properties of mapped geologic units.