GIS at the Crossroads From Where is What and Wow, to Why and So What Berry & Associates // Spatial Information Systems 2000 South College Ave, Suite 300, Fort Collins, CO Phone: (970) …visit our website at Presented by Joseph K. Berry GIS is more different than it is similar to traditional mapping and data analysis CA/HI/NV/Guam ESRI Regional Users’ Group Conference January 14, 2001 – Sacramento, California

Theme/Thesis GIS technology has evolved from … Where is Where is What and What and Wow Wowto… Why and Why and So What So What Automated Cartography Automated Cartography Geo-Query and Thematic Mapping Geo-Query and Thematic Mapping Flashy Graphics Flashy Graphics  Analysis and Data Mining  Decision Support Systems and Visualization and Visualization...and has radically changed what a map is and how it is used (Berry)

Historical Setting and GIS Evolution Traditional Mapping manually drafted map Computer Mapping automates the cartographic process (70s) automates the cartographic process (70s) Spatial Database Management links computer mapping techniques with links computer mapping techniques with traditional database capabilities (80s) traditional database capabilities (80s) GIS Modeling representation of relationships within representation of relationships within and among mapped data (90s) and among mapped data (90s) …so where are we headed and what have we learned along the way? ?(Berry)

“Where is What and Wow” Interactions The mapped data can be queried by interacting with the map (where) or database (what) through a Query Ladder… The mapped data can be queried by interacting with the map (where) or database (what) through a Query Ladder… 1) Select forest type Aspen, SP1= Aw 2) Select old Aspen stands, Age > 96 years …so what’s new? Connectivity and Map Delivery Database Containers and Map Access Massive Worlds, (Berry) MapTrials, MapTrials, Flagship versus Flagship versus Application-Specific Solutions Application-Specific Solutions

Where is What and Wow to Why and So What – Analysis and Data Mining Vector-based processing provides Thematic Mapping and Geo-Query capabilities that repackage existing spatial data as reports and displays Grid-based processing provides Spatial Analysis and Data Mining capabilities that derive new information on relationships within and among mapped data (Berry)

Hiking and Emergency Vehicle Travel …as slope increases travel becomes increasingly difficult until impossible. Slope Map Impedance to traverse a grid cell (Berry) The red tones are easily accessible, blue tones difficult and gray identifies inaccessible areas– map values are in minutes.

Variable-Width Buffers (Line-of-sight) Line-of-Sight Buffer– identifies all land locations (clipped) within 250m that can be seen from the road… 250m “viewshed” of the road Line-of-Sight Noise– locations hidden behind a ridge or farther away from a source (road) greatly decrease noise levels. (Berry) Line-of-Sight Exposure– notes the number of time each location in the buffer is seen

Enabling technologies Data processing approach Where is What and Wow to Why and So What – Analysis and Data Mining (Berry) A new application of the Spatial Technologies… GPS, GIS plus IDI …that utilizes spatial relationships in a field for site-specific management of the field Where is What Do What and Where Why and So What

Spatial Interpolation (Geographic Distribution) (Berry) “Surface Modeling” is similar to slapping a big chunk of modeler’s clay over the “data spikes,” then taking a knife and cutting away the excess to leave a continuous surface that encapsulates the peaks and valleys implied by the spatial pattern of the field samples

Visualizing Spatial Relationships (Berry) What spatial relationships do you see? Interpolated Spatial Distribution Phosphorous (P) …do relatively high levels of P often occur with high levels of K and N? …how often? …where?

The Precision Ag Process (Fertility example) (Berry) (Cyber-Farmer, Circa 1990) Variable Rate Application …fertilization rates vary for the different clusters “on-the-fly” …groups of “floating balls” in data space identify locations in the field with similar data patterns– data zones …a map stack is a spatially organized set of numbers

Where is What and Wow to Why and So What – DSS and Visualization GIS Modeling Framework – application models are developed by logically sequencing map analysis operations. A graphical user interface enables users to modify model inputs similar to using a spreadsheet program to analyze financial data– “what if…” scenarios (Berry)

GIS Modeling Framework (Processing Levels) (Berry) Campground Location – the best places to locate a campground Box = base or derived map Line = analysis operation Rows = decision criteria Gently Sloped Near Roads Near Water Views of Water Westerly Aspect are… Gently Sloped Near Roads Near Water Views of water Westerly Aspect

Linking Concepts and Code (Analysis Scripts) …map analysis logic ingrained in the flowchart is linked into GIS commands (Berry) Gentle slopes Near roads Near water Good views WesterlyCalibrateCombineMask

Interactive DSS (“Stamping” Model Logic) (Berry) …interactive Map Pedigree becomes part of a derived map’s metadata

Where is What and Wow to Why and So What – DSS and Visualization (Berry) SportsTracker (MapTrek, 1998) Image Draping -- is an established technique in GIS. Draping a topographic or thematic map onto a 3-D terrain surface is effective but relies on abstract colors, shading and symbols. “Map Abstraction”

Creating Realistic Landscapes (Berry) Virtual Forest (Innovative GIS, 1998) Geometric Modeling -- builds a scene of realistic features, such as trees, from a given viewpoint based on GIS inventories of tree types and densities. “Virtual Reality”

Landscape Visualization (Steps in 3-D Rendering) (Berry) Step 1) 3-D Terrain Surface Step 2) Polygon Containers Step 3) Surface Texture Step 4) Tree Objects Step 5) Final Composition Step 6) Atmospheric Effects “Laying the Carpet” “Pouring the Trees”

Visualizing Forest Conditions (Berry) Summer Winter After Snowfall …changing the landscape’s carpet and objects to simulate different conditions After Fire Before Fire

Landscape Visualization (GIS Rendering) (Berry)

Landscape Visualization (Clear cut) (Berry)

Landscape Visualization (Water retention cut) (Berry)

3-D Rendering As the Next Wave of Wow (Berry) The striking realism of the rendered visualizations enhance communication of management plans in a more effective form. The integration of GIS and visualization technologies provides an operational platform for natural resource professionals and the general public to consider the aesthetic impacts of landscape alternatives. “point and click” data retrieval

Landscape Visualization (Video Mapping) (Berry) Documenting “real-world” conditions Click on photo for an online demo …see “Examples” for more demos …see “Examples” for more demos Multimedia GIS can be used to document actual conditions. Video Mapping geo-registers… Streaming Video Streaming Video Still Images Still Images Audio Audio Text Text Data Data …of existing landscape characteristics High Rendering Fidelity

Landscape Visualization (Real and Cognitive worlds) (Berry) Multimedia Mapping enables capture data and images within its actual spatial context... “what is” 3-D Rendering enables users to visualize forest inventory data and simulate... “what could be” “physical space to decision space” DSS enables users to interact with application logic... “what if…” Spatial Analysis and Data Mining are used to translate the real world into decision into decision environments… environments… So What Why

GIS Technology In Transition An Appraisal of Past Experience and Probable Future (Berry) GIS technology has evolved from … Where is What and Wow …to Why and So What …for more importation online, see … we’ve covered a lot, any questions? Now, or pigeonhole me during Now, or pigeonhole me during the conference. the conference.