Geographic information systems and remote sensing applications UPDATED CITATION DUE TO REVISION D'Erchia, F. 1995. Geographic information systems and remote sensing applications for ecosystem management. National Biological Service, Environmental Management Technical Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin, Revised December 1995. LTRMP 95-P001R. 22 pp. (NTIS #PB96-141429) ABSTRACT Ecosystem management requires a more holistic approach than the focused practices of the past. Wildlife management traditionally concentrated on maintenance of specific habitat types used by a limited number of wildlife species. An ecosystem approach demands that managers take a broader view of the landscape, beyond political boundaries, and necessitates an understanding of the interrelationships among not only the wildlife and habitat components but also the human component of the ecosystem. Geographic information systems and remote sensing technologies provide tools for resource managers to use in analyzing ecosystems, allowing the manager to visualize and quantify the available information. Three case studies using these computer technologies are discussed: a landscape approach to resource management in the Upper Mississippi River System; a proactive approach to habitat modeling for migratory birds in the Upper Mississippi River corridor; and an overview of Gap Analysis, a national biodiversity effort, in the context of a tri-state project in the Upper Midwest. KEYWORDS GIS, Gap Analysis, ecosystem management, migratory birds, LTRMP, spatial modeling