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• Errors in source data, such as those introduced during the
conversion of data to digital form, may have a significant effect on
the GIS site – searching process. Mistakes in capturing areas of
appropriate geology form paper maps may lead to inappropriate
waste repository sites being identified, because areas on the
ground will have different geological properties from those
recorded in the GIS.
• The GIS site – searching process relies on the translation of
abstract concepts such as 'near to' and ' far from' into precise
conditions that can be mapped.
• GIS output can be used to inform public participation in the
decision – making process. A series of maps could be used to
illustrate why a particular geographical location has been
identified as a suitable site for the disposal of radioactive waste.
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The Zdarske Vrchy project shows how GIS can be used to bring
together data from a wide variety of sources to help address a range of
environmental management problems.
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received considerable attention for the GIS research community
( Carver et al., 1997) Chapter 7 consideres this topic in more detail.
Constraints excluded certain areas from the analysis altogether; for
example, participants could decide that they did not wish to live with
500 m of a major road.
Locations of houses that were for sale were plotted over the top of
the suitable areas identified , and ranked according to the number of
criteria which they meet.
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Figure 1.3 Using GIS to assist in house hunting.
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Table 1.1 Application areas for GIS
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The Department of the Environment (1987) lists the capabilities that
a 'well – designed GIS ' should be able to 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 analyze spatial characterizes of data;
o search for particular characterizes or features in an
area;
o update data quickly and cheaply; and
o model data and assess alternatives.
Components of a GIS :
There are examples of software already developed to perform
similar tasks, including Wigwam in the UK ( Anon., no date) and
GeoData in the USA (ESRI, 1995) . These systems have been designed
to make it possible for a home buyer to visit their estate agent, explain
the type of house and neighborhood they prefer, and come aways with a
map showing the locations of houses for sale which meet their
requirements. These products bring help to the home buyer deciding
where to look for a new home in an unfamiliar area.GIS in this context
is a decision support system.
Defining GIS:
There have been so many attempts to define GIS that is difficult to
select one definitive definition.
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Some of the shorter definitions give an idea of what a GIS is,
albeit in a superficial way. Fuller definitions give more idea of what
GIS can do, as well as what they are.
Spatial Data:
All GIS software has been designed to handle spatial data.
• latitude and longitude as a geographical reference. This
reference can be used to deduce relationships with nearby features
of interest . If the latitude and longitude of a weather station are
known, the relative position of other weather stations can be
deduced, along with proximity to ski slopes and avalanche areas;
• connection details such as which service roads, lifts and ski
trails would allow the meteorologist access to the weather station;
• non-spatial ( or attribute ) data, for instance details of the
amount of snowfall, temperature, wind speed and direction.
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• A series of spatial references to describe position;
• Details of other runs that cross or join the ski piste;
• Attribute data such as the number of skiers using the piste
and its standard of difficulty.
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3) Modelling procedures, or functions for the prediction of
what data might be at different time and place. Predictions could
be made about which soils would be highly vulnerable to erosion
in high winds or during flooding; or the type of soil present in an
unmapped area.
The form of data output used will depend on cost constraints, the
audience to whom the results are directed, and the output facilities
available.
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Figure 1.4 Points, line and areas.
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For an overview of GIS form a more applied perspective there are
a range of texts available . Korte (1993) provides a ' smart managers'
guide' to GIS that offers comment on industry trends and particular
software systems. Martin (1996 ) looks at GIS with a focus on socio-
economic applications in a UK setting; while Grimshaw (1994)
considers GIS from an information namangement perspective and offers
some useful business case studies.
Like many GIS texts, Martin (1996) , Burrough (1986) and Korte
(1993) contain useful glossaries of commonly used GIS terms and
acronyms.
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Conclusions:
Further Study:
There are many sources of further reading that complement the
material presented in this chapter.
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