A GIS mapping software can visualize crucial data in the clearest way possible, providing users with the insights they need to solve problems. Probably the most simple use to think of for a GIS map is to highlight specific features as points to show where exactly they are located.
By looking at the distribution of certain objects on the map, a human eye can detect certain patterns or trends, which can help better understand the data dynamics. For example, this GIS map shows where different types of diamonds are mined in the South African Republic, by giving each type a distinct color. Mining is one of many industries that highly benefit from the use of GIS technology. Statistical and numerical data usually come in big tables and spreadsheets that can be really intimidating.
Visualizing them as colors, shades, and appealing shapes on the GIS map can simplify things and improve the decision-making process. A map below compares the number of college students between different states. It is essentially a quantity map, using shades of brown, darker ones representing a higher value.
The more data there is to process, the more confusing it can be to understand it. Sometimes, a general display of more and less dense distribution of people, objects, or other attributes, on a GIS map can be enough to make sense of it. Real-estate agencies often use heat maps to analyze the distribution of prices, income, and other data over a large territory. If they are within the AOI, they could have been affected. GIS tools for mapping can discover the relationship between a given point on the map and an area within a certain distance from it.
Measuring the impact of the earthquake happened 47 km away from Hengchun Township, Taiwan is a good example determining the relationship between different locations. The closer to the epicenter, the higher the magnitude and the higher damage on the territory.
Things do change, but we can monitor the dynamics of change using GIS mapping services. Comparing images from different dates using a time-series method, you can discover trends and make better-informed decisions. It works well in forestry, for instance, when there is a need to monitor deforestation.
LandViewer presents satellite images of the area that has undergone deforestation. A series of change detection images represent the process. It is now pretty hard to imagine a time when application of GIS in agriculture was not a thing.
Modern farmers and growers simply cannot sustain steady food production without the use of GIS mapping services, along with the use of GPS, and smart ag machinery. Crop Monitoring is a platform that can do all of the above, integrating many different types of data to visualize them all conveniently on one screen using GIS mapping tools. It combines raster and vector data to provide growers with actionable insights, improving decision-making.
Crop Monitoring uses heat maps to display the vegetation density , utilizing a saturated red to represent the lowest possible index value. The choice of red here is linked to a psychological phenomenon where the red color acts as an emotional stimulant and draws attention. The index maps can be downloaded in both raster and vector formats. Another interesting feature is mapping data collected by the agricultural machinery.
Users of Crop Monitoring can import datasets to the software directly from the machinery, data like the density of seeding, field elevation, spraying, temperature of topsoil , and other. The differences in quantity and density are conveniently visualized on the screen as different types of GIS map. It is also possible to monitor change in moisture levels on Crop Monitoring by looking at the heat maps with values of NDMI Normalized Difference Moisture Index ranging from darker to lighter blue.
Innovative professionals in virtually any industry can take advantage of GIS technology. Here are six popular examples of industries that use GIS:. Over recent years, the processes for bringing products and services to the public have evolved immensely due to changing customer preferences and the rapid growth of ecommerce. Today, the ability to track shipments and inventory can make the supply chain more efficient, saving money for businesses that use GIS.
One example is the delivery of produce to supermarkets around the world. Agricultural products are picked on small farms and then distributed to grocers in many locations, often crossing state and national boundaries. The produce must arrive in top condition, ripe but not spoiled. GIS technology can tell agricultural and supply chain professionals when fruits or vegetables left the field, what routes they travelled and their quality upon arrival.
Insurance companies rely on accurate predictions to determine risk. A wide range of factors come into play, but in nearly all insurance sectors, location is a strong indicator of risk. Certain regions are more prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters, and social factors — like a propensity toward crime — tend to cluster in specific areas as well.
With improved predictions, insurance companies can set coverage rates more appropriately. GIS software allows professional to map risk levels based on information such as:. Over a span of twenty years, members of the geographic information community have seen this technology evolve from command line, workstation-based software to tools that can now be used in the cloud and via mobile devices. This is probably the most asked question posed to those in the Geographic Information Systems GIS field and is probably the hardest to answer in a succinct and clear manner.
GIS is a technological field that incorporates geographical features with tabular data in order to map, analyze, and assess real-world problems. The key word to this technology is Geography — this means that some portion of the data is spatial. This means that the data is in some way referenced to locations on the earth. Coupled with this data is usually tabular data known as attribute data. Attribute data can be generally defined as additional information about each of the spatial features.
An example of this would be schools. The actual location of the schools is the spatial data. Additional data such as the school name, level of education taught, student capacity would make up the attribute data. It is the partnership of these two data types that enables GIS to be such an effective problem solving tool through spatial analysis. GIS operates on many levels. On the most basic level, geographic information systems technology is used as computer cartography, that is for straight forward map making.
The real power of GIS, however, is through using spatial and statistical methods to analyze attribute and geographic information. The end result of the analysis can be derivative information, interpolated information or prioritized information. Data layers are analyzed in order to answer different spatial questions. The end product of any GIS analysis is typically a map.
There is an increasing trend to use the term geospatial instead of GIS. What is the difference between geospatial and GIS? Although some may use the terms interchangeably, there is a distinct difference between the two in that GIS refers more narrowly to the traditional definition of using layers of geographic data to produce spatial analysis and derivative maps. Geospatial is more broadly use to refer to all technologies and applications of geographic data.
GIS data, also referred to as geospatial data, can be split into two main categories: vector and raster data. Vector data is data that is represented as either points, lines, or polygons. Raster data is data that is cell-based such as aerial imagery and elevation data. Although the terms seem similar, a certification in GIS is an acknowledgement of proficiency in one or more areas of GIS, usually obtained through taking an examination.
Esri offers a serious of certification exams for its various software products. A certificate in GIS typically achieved by taking short series of GIS related courses from an educational institute, culminating in that institute offering a piece of paper acknowledging competition of the course. Beyond taking coursework GIS, cartography, and programming, there are several strategies you can employ as you seek a career in GIS. Practitioners also regard the total GIS as including operating personnel and the data that go into the system.
A geographic information system GIS is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing things that exist and events that happen on earth. GIS technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical analysis with the unique visualization and geographic analysis benefits offered by maps. GIS has already affected most of us in some way without us even realizing it.
Demographics can range from age, income, and ethnicity to recent purchases and internet browsing preferences. GIS technology allows all these different types of information, no matter their source or original format, to be overlaid on top of one another on a single map. GIS uses location as the key index variable to relate these seemingly unrelated data. Putting information into GIS is called data capture. Data that are already in digital form, such as most tables and images taken by satellites, can simply be uploaded into GIS.
Maps, however, must first be scanned, or converted to digital format. The two major types of GIS file formats are raster and vector. Raster formats are grids of cells or pixels. Raster formats are useful for storing GIS data that vary, such as elevation or satellite imagery. Vector formats are polygons that use points called nodes and lines. Vector formats are useful for storing GIS data with firm borders, such as school districts or streets.
GIS technology can be used to display spatial relationships and linear networks. Spatial relationships may display topography , such as agricultural fields and streams. They may also display land-use patterns, such as the location of parks and housing complexes. Linear networks, sometimes called geometric networks, are often represented by roads, rivers, and public utility grids in a GIS.
A line on a map may indicate a road or highway. With GIS layers, however, that road may indicate the boundary of a school district , public park, or other demographic or land-use area.
Using diverse data capture, the linear network of a river may be mapped on a GIS to indicate the stream flow of different tributaries. GIS must make the information from all the various maps and sources align , so they fit together on the same scale. A scale is the relationship between the distance on a map and the actual distance on Earth. Often, GIS must manipulate data because different maps have different projections. Different types of projections accomplish this task in different ways, but all result in some distortion.
To transfer a curved, three-dimensional shape onto a flat surface inevitably requires stretching some parts and squeezing others. GIS takes data from maps that were made using different projections and combines them so all the information can be displayed using one common projection.
Once all the desired data have been entered into a GIS system, they can be combined to produce a wide variety of individual maps, depending on which data layers are included. One of the most common uses of GIS technology involves comparing natural features with human activity. For instance, GIS maps can display what man-made features are near certain natural features, such as which homes and businesses are in areas prone to flooding.
Maps of a single city or neighborhood can relate such information as average income, book sales, or voting patterns. Any GIS data layer can be added or subtracted to the same map.
GIS maps can be used to show information about numbers and density. With GIS technology, researchers can also look at change over time. They can use satellite data to study topics such as the advance and retreat of ice cover in polar regions, and how that coverage has changed through time. A police precinct might study changes in crime data to help determine where to assign officers.
One important use of time-based GIS technology involves creating time-lapse photography that shows processes occurring over large areas and long periods of time. For example, data showing the movement of fluid in ocean or air currents help scientists better understand how moisture and heat energy move around the globe.
GIS technology sometimes allows users to access further information about specific areas on a map.
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