Natural Resources Management

The optimal management of natural resources – be it water, forestry, agriculture, marine, energy or otherwise – is at the core of the operations of Compass. The use of geographical technologies has been largely founded on these applications as it is natural resources that presents many of the challenges to us that geo technologies are suited to – including capture of accurate information via field survey; collation and management of extensive amounts of data over large areas; analysis and modelling taking topography, ground conditions and human activities into account for example; and sharing of all this data in an accessible manner – using digital mapping and associated reporting approaches. Within that sphere we have a particular specialism and many key clients in the the natural resources management area.

The range and potential complexity of these applications vary but share the same benefits of having solid information on which to base decision making.

Wind Energy

Site suitability assessment is one of the main areas where geomatics shows its strengths. By using topographical analysis, sites can be assessed for visual impact, for exposure and wind regime, and for access and services provision. Visualisation tools can be used to engage with the public and other stakeholders. Compass work to date has included regional wind energy and landscape suitability assessments as well as development of other relevant data management, reporting, and visualisation tools.  See our reworking of the Sustainable Energy Ireland Wind Atlas by visiting their site here.

Forestry

By definition forestry activities cover large tracts of ground and need to managed on a long-term basis, from site suitability assessment, to land parcel and ownership/leasing tracking, and on to grant applications handling. From our experience of implementing forestry information systems, the financial benefits in use of such a system is real and substantial – the rate of return on effort in capturing information on land holdings and activities to digital formats and making all that accessible to operators and managers is one that gains increasing interest.

Extractive Industries

Quarrying, mining and other extractive industries are constantly under pressure to efficiently identify suitable sites, optimally manage and predict production outputs, and deal with the public and licensing agencies as regards environmental and visual impacts. By moving from holding information in the heads of key staff to a shared digital system, the risk assocatied with and the efficiency of operations is also importantly improved. These are the types of functions and roles that land information systems and wider geographic technology tools are ideally suited to.

Agriculture

Optimal use of agricultural land and associated agribusiness activities require solid ways of managing data on land parcels, land use, production statistics, and efficient processing of financial agri-supports applications. Specific issues such as nutrient management planning and biodiversity enhancement activities are also well suited to use of GPS / mobile data collection tools, along with mapping systems. Potential use of geographic technologies range of individual farmers, to cooperatives and agribusiness, to government farm and environment management agencies.  Remote sensing data - be it satellite or aerial imagery - plays an important role in allowing rapid assessment of crop state, land suitability and habitat, and planning of efficient farming and agribusiness practice.