What is the National Gap Analysis?

What is the National Gap Analysis? Simply put, Gap Analysis is a geographic approach to planning for biological diversity.

The inefficiency and cost of saving selected endangered species while their natural communities and ecosystems deteriorate, led to the development in the late 80's of a proactive technique called Gap Analysis.

The Gap Analysis program serves to identify and manage functioning representatives of each ecosystem type in order to maintain national biodiversity.

The National GAP Analysis Project uses GIS to create a land cover map for each state, overlaying the distribution of wildlife. Ecological hotspots and gaps in protection are identified.

Visit the Gap web site for more information on the national program at: http://www.gap.uidaho.edu/gap/.