Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

There are no environmental solutions without geospatial data

Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, is a powerful and dynamic tool that allows complex analyses to be applied to the landscape. SFEI uses this technology to create practical tools that support better decision-making and promote smart solutions for environmental problems.

Mapping Geospatial Data

Locating problems on the landscape, designing compelling maps, and analyzing geospatial data are routine practices to our GIS team. SFEI staff and external stakeholders alike depend on SFEI’s advanced GIS to inform decisions that matter.

SFEI’s GIS focus area supports the Institute’s mission through data production, mapping expertise, spatial analysis, and application development. The department serves three major functions:

Data collection
Data analysis
Generating information, maps, and other visualizations

Remote Sensing Technologies

SFEI has invested in novel and efficient solutions to costly problems by capitalizing on recent advances in remote sensing and GIS technology, such as the use of drones (Unoccupied Aerial Systems), machine learning, and other automated mapping methodologies to address environmental challenges.

Advancing Automated Wetland Mapping

Wetlands are always changing. Thanks to new automated approaches, we can map wetlands more quickly, cost-effectively, and consistently. Our team creates innovative workflows leveraging advanced geospatial techniques, like Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA), and Machine Learning (ML), with improvements in data availability such as lidar-based elevation and topography models to classify landscapes and wetland habitats. These methods reduce human error and enable the consistent application of methods over time to…

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Latest News

Color coded elevation map of San Francisco Baylands and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Courtesy Michelle Stern, Delta Stewardship Council.

Thu, Apr 9 2026

First High-Resolution Elevation Map for Whole Bay-Delta

Fri, Mar 6 2026

California Aquatic Resource Inventory v3.3 has been published!

Tue, Oct 28 2025

Baylands Habitat Map wins Outstanding Environmental Project Award at State of the Estuary!

Thu, Sep 18 2025

The Atlas for Regional Shoreline Adaptation Planning

Sat, Mar 1 2025

Mapping our Wetlands: Explore the Latest CARI Updates

Wed, Feb 5 2025

Great Strides for an Oakland Community: Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Featured Projects

Baylands Habitat Map

The Baylands Habitat Map updates the existing map of tidal marsh, tidal flats and diked baylands and incorporates the many changes in baylands distribution and abundance that have occurred over the last two decades. It also includes new information about land… Read More

California Aquatic Resource Inventory (CARI)

The California Aquatic Resources Inventory (CARI) is a Geographic Information System (GIS) based map of wetlands, streams, and riparian areas within California that is hosted online through … Read More

Mapping Shoreline Change in San Pablo Bay

Using a systematic, empirical, and repeatable approach, we mapped the location of the shorelines in San Pablo Bay at three points in time: 1855, 1993, and 2010. We then measured rates of change over the long (1855-1993) and short-term (1993-2010) to identify zones… Read More