EnviroAtlas was developed under three assumptions: 1) we would be able to develop nationally consistent geospatial data that would be meaningful for regional and local decision-making, 2) if community planners and decision-makers had access to better data, they would use those data to inform decisions, and 3) other researchers would use EnviroAtlas data resources enabling their research to progress faster with the benefit of existing data. EnviroAtlas is an open, online collection of hundreds of geospatial data layers, tools, and other resources that can be used to inform decisions and policies in communities. The data and tools can also be used to inform additional research (e.g., EPA STAR Grants) and used as an educational resource. Research and community decisions using EnviroAtlas resources are sometimes published as illustrative use case examples on the EnviroAtlas platform as a technology transfer mechanism. The tool was built on a framework illustrating the benefits people receive from nature, also known as ecosystem goods and services (EGS). EGS underpin most aspects of human well-being, including water, security, and the economy. EnviroAtlas strives to provide information to elucidate those connections between nature and human well-being. EnviroAtlas data are generated by a collaborative research team working across multiple federal agencies, universities, and non-profit groups.
Results/Conclusions
EnviroAtlas contains over 400 map layers spanning the conterminous U.S. with about 100 additional layers at a finer resolution for almost 1200 cities and towns across the United States. It two primary tools: 1) an interactive map which makes environmental resources, policy implications, stressor, demographic and other data discovery available to anyone with an internet connection and 2) an Eco-health browser which allows users to readily investigate the many linkages between ecosystems, ecosystem services and human health and wellbeing as well as the pointing to the literature supporting those relationships. We discovered that while researchers don’t seem to have any problems finding and using EnviroAtlas resources, the sheer amount and novelty of geospatial data can be overwhelming for decision-makers. Some decision-makers require explicit guidance on how to use the data in a decision context. One of the ways in which EnviroAtlas has met this need is by developing “use cases” which walk the user through the steps of a specific decision using EnviroAtlas resources. This presentation will provide an overview of EnviroAtlas (www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) and show how it is being used in decision/research contexts.