Final answer:
Baseline mapping is highly effective in applications that require precise foundational geographical information, including topographic mapping, genetic disease research like cancer treatments, and biodiversity conservation strategies such as hotspot identification.
Step-by-step explanation:
Baseline mapping is most effective in circumstances requiring a detailed and foundational geographical representation, which is used as a reference point for various applications. In the realm of topographic mapping, advancements in technology over the past twenty-five years have significantly improved the way data is gathered, from printed products to digital and online applications. Similarly, in the field of genetics, genome mapping is critical as it helps in understanding genetic diseases and provides a foundation for developing treatments, for example, for genetically based cancers. Another application is in biodiversity conservation, where baseline maps are central to identifying and protecting areas of high biodiversity, such as the concept of hotspots which has significantly influenced resource allocation for conservation efforts.