Geog r aphic

Infor mation
Systems
By: Aisha Zeb.
Kohat, Pakistan.
Introduction

 GIS is a computer system capable of

capturing, storing, analyzing, and
displaying geographically referenced
information; that is, data identified
according to location. Practitioners also
define a GIS as including the procedures,
operating personnel, and spatial data
that go into the system
GIS DEFINITION

 It is a software tool that handles

geographically distributed data. It is a
system for input, storage, manipulation,
and output of geographic information.
GIS combines software with hardware,
data, a user, etc., to solve a problem,
support a decision, help to plan
TYPES OF GIS
 There are two fundamentally different types of
GIS software:
 - Vector GIS. In vector GIS map features are
represented by nodes, arcs and polygons. It is
based on vectors (as opposed to space-
occupancy raster structures). More details on
Vector GIS
 - Raster GIS. A map in a raster GIS divides the
entire study area into a regular grid of cells in a
specific sequence. The data completely fill the
space of the map. More details on Raster GIS
 The power of a GIS comes from the ability to relate
different information in a spatial context and to reach a
conclusion about this relationship. Most of the
information we have about our world contains a
location reference, placing that information at some
point on the globe. When rainfall information is
collected, it is important to know where the rainfall is
located. This is done by using a location reference
system, such as longitude and latitude, and perhaps
elevation. Comparing the rainfall information with other
information, such as the location of marshes across the
landscape, may show that certain marshes receive little
rainfall. This fact may indicate that these marshes are
likely to dry up, and this inference can help us make
the most appropriate decisions about how humans
should interact with the marsh. A GIS, therefore, can
reveal important new information that leads to better
decision making.
Data capture

 How can a GIS use the information in a map? If the

data to be used are not already in digital form, that is,
in a form the computer can recognize, various
techniques can capture the information. Maps can be
digitized by hand-tracing with a computer mouse on the
screen or on a digitizing tablet to collect the
coordinates of features. Electronic scanners can also
convert maps to digits .Coordinates from Global
Positioning System (GPS) receivers can also be
uploaded into a GIS.
Data integration

 A GIS makes it possible to link, or

integrate, information that is difficult to
associate through any other means.
Thus, a GIS can use combinations of
mapped variables to build and analyze
new variables
 Projection and registration
 A property ownership map might be at a different scale than a
soils map. Map information in a GIS must be manipulated so
that it registers, or fits, with information gathered from other
maps. Before the digital data can be analyzed, they may have
to undergo other manipulations—projection conversions, for
example—that integrate them into a GIS.
 Projection is a fundamental component of mapmaking. A
projection is a mathematical means of transferring information
from the Earth's three-dimensional, curved surface to a two-
dimensional medium—paper or a computer screen. Different
projections are used for different types of maps because each
projection is particularly appropriate for certain uses. For
example, a projection that accurately represents the shapes of
the continents will distort their relative sizes.
Data structures
 Can a land use map be related to a satellite image, a timely
indicator of land use? Yes, but because digital data are
collected and stored in different ways, the two data sources
may not be entirely compatible. Therefore, a GIS must be
able to convert data from one structure to another.
 Satellite image data that have been interpreted by a
computer to produce a land use map can be "read into" the
GIS in raster format. Raster data files consist of rows of
uniform cells coded according to data values. An example is
land cover classification (fig. 11). Raster files can be
manipulated quickly by the computer, but they are often less
detailed and may be less visually appealing than vector data
files, which can approximate the appearance of more
traditional hand-drafted maps. Vector digital data have been
captured as points, lines (a series of point coordinates), or
areas (shapes bounded by lines)
Data modeling

 It is impossible to collect data over every square meter of the

Earth's surface. Therefore, samples must be taken at discrete
locations. A GIS can be used to depict two- and three-dimensional
characteristics of the Earth's surface, subsurface, and atmosphere
from points where samples have been collected.
 For example, a GIS can quickly generate a map with isolines that
indicate the pH of soil from test points (figs. 14 and 15). Such a
map can be thought of as a soil pH contour map. Many
sophisticated methods can estimate the characteristics of
surfaces from a limited number of point measurements. Two- and
three-dimensional contour maps created from the surface
modeling of sample points from pH measurements can be
analyzed together with any other map in a GIS covering the area.
Characteristics of GIS

 Information retrieval
 What do you know about the swampy
area at the end of your street? With a
GIS you can "point" at a location, object,
or area on the screen and retrieve
recorded information about it from off
screen files.
Topological modeling

 Have there ever been gas stations or factories

that operated next to the swamp? Were any of
these uphill from and within 2 miles of the
swamp? A GIS can recognize and analyze the
spatial relationships among mapped
phenomena. Conditions of adjacency (what is
next to what), containment (what is enclosed
by what), and proximity (how close something
is to something else) can be determined with a
GIS
Overlay

 Using maps of wetlands, slopes, streams,

land use, and soils (figs. 19a-f), the GIS
might produce a new map layer or
overlay that ranks the wetlands according
to their relative sensitivity to damage from
nutrient runoff.

Data output

 A critical component of a GIS is its ability to

produce graphics on the screen or on paper to
convey the results of analyses to the people
who make decisions about resources. Wall
maps, Internet-ready maps, interactive maps,
and other graphics can be generated, allowing
the decision makers to visualize and thereby
understand the results of analyses or
simulations of potential events
 The future of GIS
 Environmental studies, geography, geology,
planning, business marketing, and other disciplines
have benefited from GIS tools and methods.
Together with cartography, remote sensing, global
positioning systems, photogrammetry, and
geography, the GIS has evolved into a discipline
with its own research base known as geographic
information sciences. An active GIS market has
resulted in lower costs and continual improvements
in GIS hardware, software, and data. These
developments will lead to a much wider application
of the technology throughout government, business,
and industry.
 GIS and related technology will help
analyze large datasets, allowing a better
understanding of terrestrial processes
and human activities to improve
economic vitality and environmental
quality.
 APPLICATIONS OF GIS
 Mapmaking
 Researchers are working to incorporate the mapmaking
processes of traditional cartographers into GIS technology
for the automated production of maps.
 One of the most common products of a GIS is a map.
Maps are generally easy to make using a GIS and they are
often the most effective means of communicating the
results of the GIS process. Therefore, the GIS is usually a
prolific producer of maps. The users of a GIS must be
concerned with the quality of the maps produced because
the GIS normally does not regulate common cartographic
principles. One of these principles is the concept of
generalization, which deals with the content and detail of
information at various scales. The GIS user can change
scale at the push of a button, but controlling content and
detail is often not so easy.
Emergency response
planning
 A GIS was used to combine road
network and earth science information to
analyze the effect of an earthquake on
the response time of fire and rescue
squads
Three-dimensional GIS

 To more realistically analyze the effect of the Earth's

terrain, we use three-dimensional models within a GIS.
A GIS can display the Earth in realistic, three-
dimensional perspective views and animations that
convey information more effectively and to wider
audiences than traditional, two-dimensional, static
maps. Some forest Service were offered a land swap
by a mining company seeking development rights to a
mineral deposit in there Forest. Using a GIS, they
created perspective views of the area to depict the
terrain as it would appear after mining
Graphic display
techniques
 Traditional maps are abstractions of the real
world; each map is a sampling of important
elements portrayed on a sheet of paper with
symbols to represent physical objects. People
who use maps must interpret these symbols.
Topographic maps show the shape of the land
surface with contour lines. Graphic display
techniques in GISs make relationships among
map elements more visible, heightening one's
ability to extract and analyze information.
Visualization

 Maps have traditionally been used to explore

the Earth. GIS technology has enhanced the
efficiency and analytical power of traditional
cartography. As the scientific community
recognizes the environmental consequences of
human activity, GIS technology is becoming an
essential tool in the effort to understand the
process of global change. Map and satellite
information sources can be combined in
models that simulate the interactions of
complex natural systems
Serving GIS over the
Internet

 Through Internet map server technology,

spatial data can be accessed and analyzed
over the Internet. For example, current wildfire
perimeters are displayed with a standard web
browser, allowing fire managers to better
respond to fires while in the field and helping
homeowners to take precautionary measures