GIS Brownbag Series

What is GIS?

Definitions of GIS:

•“A container of maps in digital form”

•“A computerized tool for solving geographic problems”

•“An inventory of geographical features”

•….

G is for Geographic

Tied to a location on Earth

Geographic?

Geographic: refers to the Earth

3D map of Isidis Plains on Mars:

Address:96 Clontarf Road,Clontarf, Dublin 3

15OoW, 43oN

Georeferenced: data is tied to a location on Earth.

I is for Information

Data

Information

Knowledge

Processed Data

•Raw information (a “data point”)

•Has no context

When Information has been read and understood

Data

Information

Knowledge

Information: Spread of dust three days after the attack

Data: amount of dust at a given location

Knowledge: when this map is read and understood

The information is interpreted

Different components of a GIS

Which component is the most important?

The most important component of GIS is…

YOU!!!

GIGO: Garbage In Garbage Out

Where GIS started..

Text books say it started in Canada..

.. or maybe not?

The first GIS systems

CGIS: Canadian Geographic Information System

Developed in the early 1960s to show which lands were able to sustain agriculture, forestry, recreation and wildlife

Why is GIS so successful?

Realization that so many problems are spatial

Almost everything that happens, happens somewhere and knowing

where something happens is critically important

Why is GIS so successful?

“Relative” ease of use

GIS is widely available

Availability of Data

Accumulated experience of applications that work

Some good sources of data:

X: drive (A026)

Y: drive (A026)Within IDWR:

http://maps.idwr.idaho.gov/mapall2/viewer.htm

http://insideidaho.org

Sources for GIS data

Sources for GIS data

NHD

Sources for GIS data

USGS Seamless

Why is GIS so successful?

In many cases, it will beat a paper map

Data source

Data storage

Analysis

Output

Distribution

Scanned maps. GPS. Digital Data.

CD, hard-drive, etc, printed maps

Queries, AlgorithmsOverlays, Other software

Maps, tablesGraphs

InternetCD, thumb drives

Why is GIS so successful?

GIS can be used for modeling form and process

Form:

• What does the dust cloud “look like” (I.e. its form)

Process:

• Why is the dust where it is?

• Weather, dust type, concentration

• Where will the dust go?

• Need both

• Process helps to make predictions

• Process can be used in multiple locations

• Form (what it “looks like”) different

• Processes (e.g. erosion, effect of CO2 on atmosphere follow the same rules)

Desert in SW USA Northern England

Form and Process

Apply process to form: where will WTC dust settle?

Predicting landslides requires

• General knowledge about erosion

• Specific form of this area

Form and Process

Who is using GIS (besides you)

1.Government

Used at federal, state and local level

Largest group of GIS users

– 70-80% of local government tasks involve GIS

Government and GIS

Tax assessment

ElectionsHomeland Security

Government and GIS

http://www.mapsexoffenders.com/

2. Business

Marketing

Insurance

Real Estate

Retail and Commercial Business

Compare locations of claim to location of flood plains or hurricane

•Risk assessment

•Claims

3. Education

Universities

K-12

Libraries, museums

4. Transportation and Utilities

5. Natural Resources

•Agriculture

•Archeology

•Forestry

•Mining

•Environmental management and conservation

Next Brown Bag Lunch:

How can GIS model our world?

Thursday July 17

Interested in a specific topic for future lecture?

Contact Wilma

287-4830