1. GIS Definition & Key Elements 1 Geographic Information System [GIS] Continuum E. Atlas--------Thematic Mapper--CAC----------GIS

2. GIS Definition & Key Elements 2 GIS Characteristics  Fully Dynamic Computer Based –Describes, Predicts, Prescribes  Display & Analytical Flexibility –Up to the user –Up to the minute  Storage Device –Ideal location to store, edit, organize, & manage large spatial data sets –Extremely flexible – input/output

3. GIS Definition & Key Elements 3 GIS Uses  Analysis –Available for scientific studies  Management –Can assist in managing a resource  Planning –An essential tool in the process  Education – An ideal way to provide spatial and temporal understanding

4. GIS Definition & Key Elements 4 Defining GIS 1: Scholarly  …an information system that is designed to work with data referenced by spatial or geographic coordinates… Star & Estes, 1990  [Where] an information system is that chain of operations that takes us from planning the observation and collection of data, to storage and analysis of the data to the use of the derived information in some decision-making process.” Calkins & Tomlinson, 1977

5. GIS Definition & Key Elements 5 The 5 GIS Elements or chain of operations for implimenting an Information System After setting an objective  Data Acquisition  Data Preprocessing  Database Management  Data Manipulation and Analysis  Product Generation  This process is not simply linear but recursive and iterative

6. GIS Definition & Key Elements 6 GIS Definition 2: Practical  A process that proceeds through the 5 essential elements from data acquisition through to final product generation – continuously (iterative & recursive)  Based on a defined goal or set of objectives (what to accomplish)  Where the spatial nature of the data is essential to successful application  Normally using a computer software package(s)

7. GIS Definition & Key Elements 7 GIS – relating to E. Atlas and Them. Mapper 1. Geographic Database software in either vector or raster format 2. Fully dynamic and involves geographic database – acquisition, preprocessing & storage, manipulations & analysis, and output production (see 5 elements note it is an information system) 3. Data stored in flexible electronic tables containing entities, attributes, and geocodes a)Can continually add data b)Data can be manipulated and updated at will 4. Limitless Choice of analyses & outputs 5. Can interface with sophisticated modeling tools for analysis, new uses continuously being discovered

8. GIS Definition & Key Elements 8 Key Elements of a GIS (review)  Entities – spatial objects –Points –Lines –Polygons  Attributes –characteristics or variables –Descriptors of an entity –Attached to an entity  Geocodes –Coordinates that places an entity in space

9. GIS Definition & Key Elements 9 How the Key Elements Work  Geocodes locate and anchor Entities in space while Attributes describe these entities

10. GIS Definition & Key Elements 10 How the Key Elements Work Example – Bellingham is –located at Lat. 48.75 Long. 122.45 (geocode) –Represented by a point (entity) –Has a population of 81,454 (attribute)

11. GIS Definition & Key Elements 11 Attributes Entities GeoCodes

12. GIS Definition & Key Elements 12 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Review  GIS is a system of hardware and software used for storage, retrieval, managing, analysis, and mapping or display of geographic/spatial data.  GIS is a system of hardware and software used for storage, retrieval, managing, analysis, and mapping or display of geographic/spatial data.  Spatial features or data are stored in a coordinate system (latitude/longitude, state 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 associated with spatial features. –Descriptive attributes in tabular form are associated with spatial features.

13. GIS Definition & Key Elements 13 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Review  Spatial data (geocoded entities) and associated attributes in the same coordinate system can be layered together for mapping and analysis.  Spatial data (geocoded entities) and associated attributes in the same coordinate system can be layered together for mapping and analysis.  GIS can be used for: –scientific investigations –teaching, –resource management, –development planning, –marketing, –political campaigns, –emergency management…

14. List of GIS Software Programs GIS Definition & Key Elements 14 ArcMap

15. GIS Definition & Key Elements 15 Website of uses of GIS in Transportation Planning http://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/ http://www.gis.fhwa.dot.gov/

16. GIS Definition & Key Elements 16 Website of uses of GIS in K-12 Education http://oregonstate.edu/~rynersoe/ http://oregonstate.edu/~rynersoe/

17. GIS Definition & Key Elements 17 Website of uses of GIS in National Park Management http://www.nps.gov/history/hdp/standards/CRGIS/katrina.htm http://www.nps.gov/history/hdp/standards/CRGIS/katrina.htm