Introduction to Geographic Information System (GIS)

By: Dr. Mohamed Yagoub Mohamed

E-mail: myagoub@hotmail.com

URL: http://www.angelfire.com/mo/yagoub

Introduction to Automated Geography

Chapter 1DeMers, M. N. ,1997. Fundamental of Geographic Information Systems, John Wiley & Sons. Inc, New York

Objectives

Define what a GIS is Development of GIS GIS, CAC, and CAD Analytical capabilities of GIS Analog mapping vs. automated GIS

What is GIS? Tools that allow for the processing of

spatial data into information Not a precise or comprehensive definition Lack of definition results in misconceptions

about GIS i.e., CAC, CAD and GIS are all the same

– CAC -Computer Assited Cartography: create maps from graphical objects combined with descriptive attributes (size, color), lacks analytical capability

– CAD -Computer Aided Design: create maps from graphical objects (no attributes)-Architecture

– GIS - Adds the analytical capabilities the other 2 lack

What is GIS?

GIS is any computerized information system that is designed to store, manipulate, retrieve, analyze, and display spatially referenced data.

Land Information System (LIS) is typical to GIS, but related primarily to large scale and parcel-based system such as Automated Mapping and Facilities Management (AM/FM)

What is GIS?

The major difference between Computer Mapping System (CMS), Computer Aided Design (CAD), and GIS is that the latter performs functions related to cartography (graphic) while the former has additional component of data analysis (graphic+ attribute)

Taxonomic classification of GIS (Fig. 1.1)

1. Spatial vs. nonspatial informationGIS is spatial

2. Nongeographic vs. geographic (GIS)nongeographic - deals with geographic space but not

geocoded

3. Other GIS vs. LISOther GIS - nonland - economic, housing, market analysisLIS - most often used type of GIS - management and

analysis of land surfaces

4. Non-parcel vs. parcelnon-parcel - natural resource management, habitat

evaluation, scientific investigationparcel - land ownership (cadastral)

GIS Development

1960s Computing comes of age 1970s GIS software evolves rapidly 1980s GIS software advances significantly Personal computers introduced Public domain data becomes available 1990s Application development 2000 Web-based GIS

Information system

Information System (IS)

Spatial IS (x,y,z,t)

Non-spatial IS e.g. accounting

Parcel-based(LIS)

Other e.g.Forest (GIS)

Disadvantages of the manual methods

Long time for processing

Subject to human errors

Data can not be managed efficiently

Low cost/benefit ratio

Why GIS: Advantages of GIS

Time minimization

Accuracy improvement

Data can be managed efficiently

High cost/benefit ratio

Watersheds Communities Neighborhoods Ecosystems

Context and Content

Patterns Linkages Trends

Seeing the WholeSeeing the Whole Managing PlacesManaging Places

GIS web sites www.gislinx.com -100s GIS sites www.esri.com -ESRI site www.tandf.co.uk -IJGIS journal www.amazon.com -GIS references http://www.iupui.edu/~jeswilso/g438/ DeMers http://www.csupomona.edu/~sagarver/GEO442/

classsched.htm DeMers http://www.people.virginia.edu/~dc9a/classes/

classes.html Exercise-DeMers http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/gcraft/about/tgis/

table1.html Geographer's Craft project

GIS

Hardware

SoftwareInformation

People

Components of GIS

People

People are essential part of GIS Issues related to people are training,

education, management, law, security, data sharing and coordination

GIS budget (cost of data, hardware, software, and maintenance)

04/15/23

Hardware

Input (Keyboard, mouse, digitizer, scanner, sound)

Processing (Central processing unit -CPU) Pentium II (400 MHz)

Storage (Magnetic and optical media -Hard disk 4GB, CD-ROM-650MB, Floppy 1.4 MB, Zip 100 MB)

Output (Screen, sound system, printer, plotter) www.hp.com, www.calcomp.com

Hardware

Networking

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Remote

Software

Operating System (OS) - WindowsY2K/NT

Graphic software (CAD, Microstation)

Database software (dBASE, Oracle)

Statistical packages (SPSS, SAS, Minitab)

Word processing (Ms Word, Word Perfect)

Image processing (IDRISI, ER Mapper)

GIS systems (Arc/Info, ArcView, MapInfo)

Presentation (Ms PowerPoint, Coral Draw)

Software integration

DXFIAC

DDERELATE

MSVisualFox Pro

AutoCad ARC/INFO ArcView

Visual BasicVisualMODFLOW

ODE

Selection of a GIS system

Selection of a GIS systems depends on many factors e.g. the budget, purpose, and functions of the system

For small companies and educational institutions, low cost systems are suitable e.g. ArcView and IDRISI

For big companies a GIS system that provides multi-functions is necessary this may be at a high cost e.g. Arc/Info NT 8.0

Information

There are two basic types of map information in a GIS: Spatial and Aspatial (DESCRIPITIVE-attribute)

Spatial refers to geographic features that are represented as POINTS, LINES, and POLYGONS

Aspatial or Descriptive refers to TABULAR DATA which records characteristics of the geographic features

GIS Information

SPATIAL OBJECT

ATTRIBUTE SPATIAL

DBMS

GIS Database

(1)

SPATIAL OBJECT

ATTRIBUTE SPATIAL

DBMS

GIS Database

(2)

d GIS is a tool to see the whole

Social FactorsSocial Factors

BiodiversityBiodiversity

EngineeringEngineering

Land UseLand Use

EnvironmentalEnvironmentalConsiderationsConsiderations

4 Sub-system definition of GIS (Tables 1.2-1.6)

1. A data input subsystem that collects and processes spatial data from various sources.

2. A data storage and retrieval subsystem that organizes data in a manner that allows retrieval, updating, and editing.

3. A data manipulation and analysis subsystem that performs tasks on the data (classification, modeling functions).

4. A reporting subsystem that displays all or part of the database in tabular, graphic or map form.

GIS functions

Data acquisition (spatial and non-spatial)

Data processing (data management)

Data analysis (Spatial & statistical analysis)

Data storage (Store data more efficiently)

Data output (Maps, graphs, tables, reports)

Subsystem Definition of GIS

Data Input Subsystem - allows user to import, create, and edit spatial and tabular data

Data Storage and Retrieval Subsystem - provides storage, retrieval, updating and editing capabilities

Data Analysis Subsystem - provides to tools to examine characteristics of the data and model building capabilities

Reporting Subsystem - provides tools for designing maps, graphics, text, and tabular output

Data acquisition

GIS includes Spatial and descriptive data

(Attribute)

Spatial data can be obtained from maps

images or digital files

Attribute data can be obtained from reports,

statistical outcomes, and written documents

Data format The spatial data can be store in vector or raster

format Vector format represents data in a series of (X,Y)

coordinates Raster format represent data in a series of columns

and rows-Matrix (Pixel, cell) Vector data are accurate and takes less storage,

but take long time e.g. digitization Raster data are inaccurate and takes large storage,

but takes short time e.g. scanning

Coordinate system

Sphere -GlobeThree-DimensionSpherical coordinateLatitude (Ø) and longitude ()(Ø, )

Plane-MapTwo-DimensionCartesian coordinate(X,Y)

Distortion distance, area,shape, direction

Map projections express3D in 2D

Data processing

Once the data is acquired the next step is to put it in a digital format.

Data processing may include conversion of the data to a common coordinate system.

Checking the accuracy of the spatial and attribute data

Linking the spatial and attribute data

Data analysis Analysis is considered as the most important

tool in GIS (Heart of GIS) . Spatial and statistical analysis can be done. Spatial analysis includes map overlay,

buffering, and map algebra Statistical analysis includes e.g. determination

of maximum, minimum, and average values New data can be derived from existing data

Soil Types

+

Crop Productivity(bushels/acre)

Combined Layers

When data coundaries betwen layers don’t match, the layers can be joined,creating a new layer containing the characteristics of bothData analysis : Data layers can be joined to create new layers containing the characteristic of both

Data storage

GIS data can be store in different media. For example, Magnetic or optical media e.g. HD, floppy, and CD-ROM.

Backup of GIS data must be done on regular basis to a void loss of data due to hardware failure, virus, or data corruption.

Security measures must be taken e.g. at computer level (access right) and physical level (good locking and guard)

Data output: Visualization

Output from GIS can be in hardcopy or softcopy and in different formats.

Maps (2D, 3D) showing location and description.

Tables showing detailed description. Reports showing summary of information. Different forms of graphs including bar, pie,

and line.

Spatial data acquisition

There are two methods for spatial data acquisition

Primary methods Surveying, Photogrammetry, GPS, and

Remote Sensing

Secondary methods

Digitization, Automatic line following,

and scanning

Aspatial: Tabular Databases

Tabular data (attribute, descriptive data) are essential part of GIS

Attribute data can be obtained from reports or written documents

Different database systems can be used for attribute input e.g. dBASE, Oracle, Informix

Most database systems are based on arranging attribute data in a form of tables, these tables consists of fields and records

Databases models

HIERARCHICAL

NETWORK

RELATIONAL (TABULAR)

OBJECT-ORIENTED

Database operations

Databases allow users to build, sort, delete, edit, select, mathematically manipulate, and update information through the use of a Data Definition Language (DDL) and data manipulation Language (DML)

DML (query language) allows users to ask questions about the database in a standardized way (Structured Query Language-SQL) e.g. find all states with area > 5000 sq Km

Standards for GIS

Open GIS consortium (OGC) started in 1995 (OLE/COM)

Eurog (developed in Europe) Spatial Data Transfer Standards

(STDS) developed in the US

Impact of the Internet on GIS

Exchange and Sharing of ideas via- electronic

mail (e-mail) and online lists

Online forum (video conferencing)

Data transfer (File Transfer Protocol- FTP)

Browsing (web sites)

GIS Applications

Foresters - timber inventory Fire, police, ambulance - 911 and

emergency vehicle routing Military - logistics and battle plans Telecommunications - siting cellular

transmission towers Local to national scale government - city

planning, zoning, natural resources, etc. Academia - used by many other

disciplines outside of geography

Exercise 1

Principles of GIS

Section A: Principles of GIS Maximum 5 pages

1. Define GIS

2. What is the difference between automated cartography and GIS

3. What is the difference between GIS and LIS

4. Discuss briefly the main components of GIS( People, Data, Hardware, and Software)

5. Write one page about the impact of internet on GIS

6. List five web sites that you have visited