1. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS PRESENTATION 1to
Natural History Division, Institute of Jamaica
By Suzanne Davis & Alfreco Johnson
Natural History Division, Institute of Jamaica January 2003

2. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
GIS:- a computer-based tool used and managed by people to efficiently capture, store, integrate, analyze and display spatial (geographically referenced) data & associated attribute data.
Key components:
Hardware (computer)
Software (storage, editing, analysis and display programmes)
* Data (spatial and descriptive or attribute)
People (applicators of tool to problems)
Procedures (based on plans/protocols/models unique to each organization)

3. GIS Characteristics
A powerful mapping system that links locations to attribute data so you can:
Present different types of information (ecological, social, educational, etc.) as maps
Analyze locations and associated data/information
Easily and efficiently update of spatial information (maps)
Integrate maps with information from a variety of sources

4. Why Use GIS?
Offers advanced data management capabilities for handling complex or various datasets linked to locations
Allows improved research and planning activities by integrating data and information from different sources to produce a ‘wholistic’ picture.
Facilitates colourful media presentations for easier interpretation of technical data & information by technical (e.g. scientists) and non-technical personnel (e.g. managers, policy-makers)

5. Spatial Data SPATIAL DATA:- a precise geographic location
a distance or length referenced
by geographic coordinates or
an area that has measured
boundaries referenced by geographic
coordinates.
Examples: maps & charts, surveyor records, building
plans and satellite images
points
lines
polygons

6. Benefits of Spatial Data
Databases for taxonomic collections & field data have added value if the records include spatial data.
Data on location or space is critical to understanding ecological patterns or natural phenomena
If the same collecting methodology is used in the same geographic location periodically, it is assumed that detected trends or changes in wildlife occurrence and distribution reflects trends or changes that may have taken place in that environment or in ecological interactions.
Spatial databases allow more efficient forecasting for businesses, land developers, education and research personnel, etc.

7. Applicability of a GIS
GIS can be used in just about any situation where there is a spatial component and the composite features of the same space can be separated to form layers.
What is a Map Layer? A layer is an abstraction of a single feature from a spatial area represented on a map. This is where one feature is pulled from a geographic area and made to stand alone.

8. Some Sectors in which GIS is widely used
Transportation (Highway system) Whether monitoring bus systems and road conditions, finding the best way to deliver goods and services, tracking fleet vehicles, or maintaining transportation networks
Education
A GIS allows students and researchers to ask and answer geographic questions by designing and analyzing maps using user-selected criteria.
Engineering GIS provides the pipeline operator with improved capability to manage pipeline integrity, improved efficiencies in pipeline operations, and improved response to business development opportunities.
Communication Location-based services combine GIS applications with easy-to-use mobile devices to provide information wherever and whenever it is needed.

9. GIS Sectors (cont.)
Business Used in banking and insurance for more precise targeting of customers in marketing exercises
Health and Human Services
Understanding issues ranging from epidemiology to access to healthcare providers requires understanding the geographic context of health issues.
Natural Resources Monitoring & Environmental Management
Geography provides the framework to acquire, develop, and interpret the complex spatial and tabular datasets used for mining and the earth sciences. Mapping, spatial concepts, and time/space operations technology is absolutely essential to effective mining.

10. Example of GIS Use in Transportation Land Coverage of the United States

11. Major Highway Coverage (Highway Layer)

12. Highway layer superimposed with land coverage

13. United States Cities locations superimposed with highways

14. Who Uses GIS in Jamaica? Individuals
Government agencies (e.g. Forestry Department, National Environment & Planning Agency, Urban Development Corporation)
Non-government organizations (e.g. Jamaica Conservation Development Trust, the Nature Conservancy – Jamaica)
Teaching & research institutions (e.g. University of Technology, University of the West Indies)
Business enterprises & consultancies (e.g. Spatial Innovision

15. Processing of Maps There are Two primary stages in the
Digitizing and Formatting
Adding Attributes and Values

16. Digitizing and Formatting
Digitizing is the process of assigning digital coordinates by physically or automatically tracing hard copy documents. Primarily used for converting paper maps or aerial photos into digital form.

17. Picture of a digitizing board
Map or image is secured to board and important reference points are matched
Important features of map are then traced with digitizing mouse by clicking the mouse

18. Digital references are then made to all polygons in digitized image

19. Further formatting of the digitized image is done

20. Finished Product

21. Adding Attributes and Values of Features
Attributes are descriptive characteristics of the features of a spatial entity.
Attributes take the form of:
Measurements – height, distance, intensity, etc
Classifications – Acidic, alkaline, residential, etc.
Quality – good, bad, satisfactory, A, B, C, etc

22. GIS Software ArcInfo Arc View Most comprehensive GIS available
Defines spatial relationships between connecting or adjacent coverage features
Provides GIS data creation (e.g. digitizing), updating, mapping, querying and analysis
Arc View
Most popular desktop GIS and mapping software
Provides data visualization, querying, analysis, and integration capabilities along with the ability to create and edit geographic data.

23. Africa Countries and lakes represented as polygons & rivers represented as lines

24. Africa Northern rivers selected (in yellow)

25. Africa Result of a query to find out what countries the northern rivers traverse (in yellow)

26. Africa Country of Gabon Selected (in yellow)

27. Africa Countries within 1000 miles of Gabon having rivers

28. The End Thank You