Local communities have three options for developing a GIS Based NRI:
  (1) Mapping Natural Areas
  (2) Mapping Land cover
  (3) Using Existing Data

Mapping natural areas involves identifying natural areas in your community and developing a GIS data layer based on the information. The time and cost needed to develop natural area GIS data layers is dependent on user needs for the data. Mapping land cover is usually more involved with greater time and cost restraints than mapping natural areas because all types of land cover are mapped, not just natural areas. Using existing data is often the simplest avenue although appropriateness and limitations of the data must be evaluated carefully. These two factors often result in the pursuit of option (1) or (2) in order to acquire a data layer useful to local communities.

(1) Mapping Natural Areas

(2) Mapping Land cover

(3) Using Existing Data