100% satisfaction guarantee Immediately available after payment Both online and in PDF No strings attached
logo-home
Summary An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems, ISBN: 9780273722595 GIS $5.89
Add to cart

Summary

Summary An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems, ISBN: 9780273722595 GIS

 23 views  1 purchase
  • Course
  • Institution
  • Book

Summary for 'An introduction to Geographical Information Systems fourth edition' for chapters 1 to 10. Written in English.

Preview 3 out of 24  pages

  • No
  • Hoofstuk 1 tm 10
  • January 22, 2022
  • 24
  • 2021/2022
  • Summary
avatar-seller
An introduction to Geographical Information Systems fourth edition
Chapter 1 to 8


CHAPTER 1: what is GIS
GIS for:
 Location: where is the nearest bookshop
 Patterns: where do high concentrations students live in this city?
 Trends: where have changes to the population of polar bears occurred?
 Conditions: where is there flat land within 500 m of a major highway?
 Implications: if I move to a new home in this location, how far will I be from the office?
GIS has been used since 1960
The definition of GIS depends, according to Pickles, on who is giving it and their background and
viewpoint.
Rhind for example says: GIS is a computer system that can hold and use data describing places on the Earth’s
surface.

In general the definitions of GIS cover three main components:
 GIS is a computer system
 GIS uses spatially referenced or geographical data
 GIS carries out various management and analysis tasks
The Department of the Environment(1987) lists that a well-designed GIS should provide
1. Quick and easy access to large volumes of data
2. The ability to
o Select detail by area or theme
o Link or merge one data set with another
o Analyse spatial characteristics of features in an area
o Model data and assess alternatives
3. Output capabilities (maps, graphs…) tailored to meet particular needs


GIS:
 Computer system
 Software
 Spatial data
 Data management and analysis procedures
 People/organization
Computer system
GIS run on computer systems.
Software
Without software GIS can’t analyse, manage and output your data
Spatial data
GIS is designed to handle spatial data.

,Data management and analysis procedures
Because GIS should perform data input, storage, management and analysis
People/Organization
There must always be people to plan, implement and operate the system as well as make decision
based on output.
Elements that are essential for effective GIS operation
 The presence of a processor with sufficient power to run the software
 Sufficient memory for the storage of large volumes of data
 A good quality, high-resolution colour graphics screen
 Data input and output devices


Data input: process of converting data from its existing form to one that can be used by the GIS



IMPORTANT
 GIS can be used to add value to spatial data
 It is difficult to explain GIS because it depends on who is giving the definition and their point of
view. Also definitions of GIS are likely going to change quickly as technology and applications
develop further.
 Components of GIS: computersystem, software, people, spatial data, data management and analysis
procedures
 Spatial data: information about position, connections with other features and details of attribute data
 Attribute data: information about amounts, speed, temperature, numbers and direction
 Spatial referencing: forms of spatial data to get information about a position
 Spatial entities: help to simplify spatial data. Entities are components to help data organization. Three
types: lines, areas and points.
 Geographic Information Science is the science behind the System

, CHAPTER 2: spatial data


Data: observations we make from monitoring the real world. Data are collected as facts or evidence
that may be processed to give them meaning and turn them into information.
Data are raw numbers, numbers without meaning. To make numbers useful you need to add context,
for example what the data refers and which scale or unit of measurement it has. With these details data
become information.  information is data with meaning and context added.


Primary data: data collected through first-hand observation.
Secondary data: collected by another individual or organization
All primary and secondary data have three modes or dimensions: temporal, thematic and spatial

Example: incident in
Three Pines Valley on 14
february 2002
Temporal: 15:30 hrs 14 In GIS thematic data are referred as non-spatial or attribute data
February 2002
Thematic: wet slab
avalanche triggered by two Scale gives an indication of how much smaller than reality a map is.
off-piste skiers
- Ratio scale= 1:50000
Spatial: Three Pines Valley, - Verbal scale= 1 cm represents 50 m
south-facing slope - Graphical scale= *a scalebar* drawn on the map
Small-scale maps (1:250,000) are those that cover large areas. Large-scale maps (1:10,000) cover
small areas and contain large amounts of detail.
Scale-related generalization: relationship between scale and detail. How larger the scale how more
detail.


Spatial referencing: used to locate a feature
Several methods of spatial referencing exists, but it can be grouped in three categories:
- Geographic co-ordinate systems;
- Rectangular co-ordinate systems;
- Non co-ordinate systems.
Geographic co-ordinate systems: latitude and longitude
Rectangular co-ordinate system: to use data in the two-dimensional form. A grid is placed on top of
the map. For example, UK Ordnance Survey’s National Grid
Non co-ordinate systems: provide spatial references using a descriptive code rather dan coordinates.
For example postal codes.
Problems of spatial referencing:

The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.

Quick and easy check-out

Quick and easy check-out

You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.

Focus on what matters

Focus on what matters

Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!

Frequently asked questions

What do I get when I buy this document?

You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.

Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?

Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.

Who am I buying these notes from?

Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller m21sjoerd. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.

Will I be stuck with a subscription?

No, you only buy these notes for $5.89. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.

Can Stuvia be trusted?

4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)

53068 documents were sold in the last 30 days

Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now

Start selling
$5.89  1x  sold
  • (0)
Add to cart
Added