1. Introduction to Geospatial Technology
GST 101
Introduction to Geospatial Technology
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2. What is “GIS”?

3. What is GIS?
A GIS is a computer-based system to aid in the collection, maintenance, storage,
analysis, output, and distribution of
spatial and non-spatial data and information.

4. GISs are simultaneously the telescope, the microscope, the computer, and the Xerox machine of regional analysis and synthesis of spatial data. (Ron Abler, 1988)

5. GIS as an Umbrella
Hardware
Methods
Software
Data
Network
People

6. What Falls Under the GIS Umbrella?
Spatial Data Services
Spatial Data Analysis
Map Making
Data Collection
Programming
…and much, much more

7. The Six Parts of a GIS

8. Six Parts of a GIS
Hardware
Software
Data
Methods
People
Network

9. Hardware Powerful computers
Printing/Plotting and other visualization capabilities
Input devices
Large amounts of disk space

10. Software Spatial Information Provides tools to: Manipulate Store Query
Analyze
There are many free and commercial software packages.
Spatial Information

11. Data A GIS can ingest any type of data
Both spatial and non-spatial
We are currently in “Data Overload”
Visualizing data helps humans weed through it all
Half of all time spent on a GIS projects will simply be working with data

12. Methods
Formulas
Statistics
Analysis
Algorithms

13. ? People Skilled GIS Professionals Skilled GIS Users Novice GIS Users.
Public Users ?

14. Network Dissemination of data Display of information Transfer datasets
Collaboration
Display of information
Web maps
Web Applications

15. How can GIS be used?

16. Select Examples of GIS in Use
Cadastral Information
3D Analysis
Deliveries
Mapping
Military
Redistricting
Farming
Health
Wildlife Mapping
Data Mining
Disaster Management
Natural Resources
Infrastructure
Decision Support

18. Thinking about Space

19. Fundamental Concepts of Spatial Analysis
Space
Location
Distance

20. Space can be measured in absolute, relative, and cognitive terms.

21. Absolute space Can be thought of as mathematical space
It involves the precise measurement of location (x,y,z)

22. Topological space Can be thought of as relative space
Such as the connectivity between locations

23. Reflects people’s beliefs
Cognitive space
Reflects people’s beliefs
experiences
perceptions
about places

24. Fundamental Concepts of Spatial Analysis
Space
Location
Distance

25. Location Absolute - Latitude/longitude Relative – Site and situation
Cognitive - Place name
Nominal - “Where were you when…?”

26. Absolute Location
Latitude/longitude

27. Location Absolute - Latitude/longitude Relative – Site and situation
Cognitive - Place name
Nominal - “Where were you when…?”

28. Relative location can be measured using site and situation.

29. Site and Situation Physical attributes of a place (location)
E.g., terrain, soil,
vegetation, water
sources, built environment, etc.
Location of a place
relative to other
places and
human activities
E.g., 80 miles from
Atlanta, near raw materials, far from job opportunities, etc.
Relative location can seem like a big can of worms – but to narrow it down to something manageable,
Remember that situation as relative location tends to refer to factors that affect the quality of life, opportunities, limitations, etc. at a given site

30. Location Absolute - Latitude/longitude
Relative – United States Public Land Survey Metes and Bounds
Cognitive - Place name
Nominal - “Where were you when…?”

31. Cognitive Location
Cognitive location refers to the personal cognitive images of places and regions compiled from personal knowledge, experiences, and impressions

32. Location Absolute - Latitude/longitude
Relative – United States Public Land Survey Metes and Bounds
Cognitive - Place name
Nominal - “Where were you when…?”

33. Systems of measuring and representing location (absolute, relative, nominal) are
CULTURAL SYSTEMS which are embedded in different cultures and worldviews and can become inscribed in landscapes

34. Fundamental Concepts of Spatial Analysis
Space
Location
Distance

35. Distance Absolute - physical units of measure
Relative - time, effort or cost
Cognitive - perceived

36. Waldo Tobler (Professor Emeritus, UCSB, Dept. of Geography)
“Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related to each other”
Waldo Tobler (Professor Emeritus, UCSB, Dept. of Geography)