GIS Definition & Key Elements 1 Geographic Information System [GIS] Continuum E....

GIS Definition & Key ElementsGIS Definition & Key Elements 11

Geographic Information Geographic Information System [GIS]System [GIS]

ContinuumContinuumE. Atlas--------Thematic Mapper--CAC----------GISE. Atlas--------Thematic Mapper--CAC----------GIS


GIS CharacteristicsGIS Characteristics

Fully Dynamic Computer BasedFully Dynamic Computer Based– Describes, Predicts, PrescribesDescribes, Predicts, Prescribes

Display & Analytical FlexibilityDisplay & Analytical Flexibility– Up to the userUp to the user– Up to the minuteUp to the minute

Storage DeviceStorage Device– Ideal location to store, edit, organize, & Ideal location to store, edit, organize, &

manage large spatial data setsmanage large spatial data sets– Extremely flexible – input/output Extremely flexible – input/output


GIS UsesGIS Uses

AnalysisAnalysis– Available for scientific studiesAvailable for scientific studies

ManagementManagement– Can assist in managing a resourceCan assist in managing a resource

PlanningPlanning– An essential tool in the processAn essential tool in the process

EducationEducation– An ideal way to provide spatial and An ideal way to provide spatial and

temporal understanding temporal understanding


Defining GIS 1: ScholarlyDefining GIS 1: Scholarly

……an information system that is designed an information system that is designed to work with data referenced by spatial or to work with data referenced by spatial or geographic coordinates…geographic coordinates… Star & Estes, 1990Star & Estes, 1990

[Where] an information system is that [Where] an information system is that chain of operations that takes us from chain of operations that takes us from planning the observation and collection of planning the observation and collection of data, to storage and analysis of the data data, to storage and analysis of the data to the use of the derived information in to the use of the derived information in some decision-making process.”some decision-making process.” Calkins & Calkins & Tomlinson, 1977Tomlinson, 1977


The 5 GIS Elements The 5 GIS Elements or chain of operations for implimenting an Information Systemor chain of operations for implimenting an Information System

After setting an objectiveAfter setting an objective Data AcquisitionData Acquisition Data PreprocessingData Preprocessing Database ManagementDatabase Management Data Manipulation and AnalysisData Manipulation and Analysis Product GenerationProduct Generation

This process is not simply linear but This process is not simply linear but recursive and iterativerecursive and iterative


GIS Definition 2: PracticalGIS Definition 2: Practical

A process that proceeds through the 5 A process that proceeds through the 5 essential elements from data acquisition essential elements from data acquisition through to final product generation – through to final product generation – continuously (iterative & recursive)continuously (iterative & recursive)

Based on a defined goal or set of Based on a defined goal or set of objectives (what to accomplish)objectives (what to accomplish)

Where the spatial nature of the data is Where the spatial nature of the data is essential to successful applicationessential to successful application

Normally using a computer software Normally using a computer software package(s)package(s)


GIS – relating to E. Atlas and GIS – relating to E. Atlas and Them. MapperThem. Mapper

1.1. Geographic Database software in either vector Geographic Database software in either vector or raster formator raster format

2.2. Fully dynamic and involves geographic database Fully dynamic and involves geographic database – acquisition, preprocessing & storage, – acquisition, preprocessing & storage, manipulations & analysis, and output production manipulations & analysis, and output production (see 5 elements note it is an information (see 5 elements note it is an information system)system)

3.3. Data stored in flexible electronic tables Data stored in flexible electronic tables containing entities, attributes, and geocodescontaining entities, attributes, and geocodes

a)a) Can continually add dataCan continually add datab)b) Data can be manipulated and updated at willData can be manipulated and updated at will

4.4. Limitless Choice of analyses & outputsLimitless Choice of analyses & outputs5.5. Can interface with sophisticated modeling tools Can interface with sophisticated modeling tools

for analysis, new uses continuously being for analysis, new uses continuously being discovereddiscovered


Key Elements of a GIS Key Elements of a GIS (review)(review)

Entities – spatial objectsEntities – spatial objects– PointsPoints– LinesLines– PolygonsPolygons

Attributes –characteristics or Attributes –characteristics or variablesvariables– Descriptors of an entityDescriptors of an entity– Attached to an entityAttached to an entity

GeocodesGeocodes– Coordinates that places an entity in Coordinates that places an entity in

spacespace


How the Key Elements WorkHow the Key Elements Work

GeocodesGeocodes locate and anchor locate and anchor EntitiesEntities in space while in space while AttributesAttributes describe describe these entitiesthese entities


How the Key Elements WorkHow the Key Elements Work

Example – Bellingham is Example – Bellingham is – located at Lat. 48.75 Long. 122.45 located at Lat. 48.75 Long. 122.45

(geocode)(geocode)– Represented by a point (entity)Represented by a point (entity)– Has a population of 81,454 (attribute)Has a population of 81,454 (attribute)


AttributesEntities

GeoCodes


Geographic Information Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Systems (GIS) ReviewReview

GIS is a system of hardware and software used for GIS is a system of hardware and software used for storagestorage, , retrieval, managing, analysis, and retrieval, managing, analysis, and mapping or displaymapping or display of geographic/spatial data. of geographic/spatial data.

Spatial features or data are stored in a Spatial features or data are stored in a coordinate systemcoordinate system (latitude/longitude, state (latitude/longitude, state plane, UTM, etc…), plane, UTM, etc…), – which references a particular place on the earth. which references a particular place on the earth. – Descriptive attributes in tabular form are Descriptive attributes in tabular form are

associated with spatial features. associated with spatial features.


Geographic Information Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Systems (GIS) ReviewReview

Spatial data (geocoded entities)Spatial data (geocoded entities) and associated and associated attributesattributes in the same coordinate system in the same coordinate system can be can be layeredlayered together for mapping and analysis. together for mapping and analysis.

GIS can be used for: GIS can be used for: – scientific investigationsscientific investigations– teaching, teaching, – resource management, resource management, – development planning, development planning, – marketing, marketing, – political campaigns, political campaigns, – emergency management…emergency management…

List of GIS Software ProgramsList of GIS Software Programs


ArcMap


Website of uses of GIS in Transportation Planning Website of uses of GIS in Transportation Planning http://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/


Website of uses of GIS in K-12 Education Website of uses of GIS in K-12 Education http://oregonstate.edu/~rynersoe/


Website of uses of GIS in National Park Management Website of uses of GIS in National Park Management http://www.nps.gov/history/hdp/standards/CRGIS/katrina.htm

GIS Definition & Key Elements 1 Geographic Information System [GIS] Continuum E....

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