The Land Change Modeler for ArcGIS is a software extension for analyzing and predicting landcover change and assessing the implications of that change for biodiversity. The Land Change Modeler is also available and integrated within the IDRISI software, sold separately.
Clark Labs worked with Conservation International over a period of several years to develop a flexible software environment that could be used for a variety of land change scenarios and contexts. It was released within the IDRISI software in 2006. Integration of the Land Change Modeler with the ArcGIS software broadens its accessibility for users concerned with land change, conservation and biodiversity.
The software interface is sequentially organized around the major task areas for change analysis, prediction and habitat analysis to ensure a smooth workflow. Users have access to a context-sensitive help system and a comprehensive set of tutorial exercises and data included with the software which provide a planned and structured approach to learning.
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Analyze change. Specify two landcover maps of different dates and immediately see gains and losses by category, net change as well as specific category transitions and exchanges in both map and graphical form.
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Predict change. Create future scenarios of change, “hard predictions,” with a neural network-based empirical model, or a map of vulnerability to change with the “soft” prediction model.
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Assess the impact for habitat and biodiversity. Undertake habitat assessment, gap analysis, habitat fragmentation and biodiversity analysis.