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GIS Brownbag Series. What is GIS?. Definitions of GIS: “A container of maps in digital form” “A computerized tool for solving geographic problems” “An inventory of geographical features” …. G is for Geographic. Tied to a location on Earth. 3D map of Isidis Plains on Mars:.
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What is GIS? • Definitions of GIS: • “A container of maps in digital form” • “A computerized tool for solving geographic problems” • “An inventory of geographical features” • ….
G is for Geographic • Tied to a location on Earth
3D map of Isidis Plains on Mars: Address:96 Clontarf Road,Clontarf, Dublin 3 Geographic? 15OoW, 43oN Geographic: refers to the Earth Georeferenced: data is tied to a location on Earth.
I is for Information • Raw information (a “data point”) • Has no context Data Processed Data Information Knowledge When Information has been read and understood
Data: amount of dust at a given location Data Information Knowledge Information: Spread of dust three days after the attack Knowledge: when this map is read and understood The information is interpreted
Different components of a GIS Which component is the most important?
The most important component of GIS is… YOU!!! GIGO: Garbage In Garbage Out SAP: Spatially Aware Professional
.. or maybe not? Where GIS started.. Text books say it started in Canada..
The first GIS systems CGIS: Canadian Geographic Information System Developed in the early 1960s to show which lands were able to sustain agriculture, forestry, recreation and wildlife
Why is GIS so successful? Realization that so many problems are spatial Almost everything that happens, happens somewhere and knowing where something happens is critically important
Why is GIS so successful? “Relative” ease of use GIS is widely available Accumulated experience of applications that work Availability of Data
Some good sources of data: X: drive (A026) Y: drive (A026) Within IDWR: http://maps.idwr.idaho.gov/mapall2/viewer.htm
Sources for GIS data http://insideidaho.org
Sources for GIS data USGS Seamless
Why is GIS so successful? In many cases, it will beat a paper map Data source Data storage Analysis Output Distribution Scanned maps. GPS. Digital Data. Maps, tables Graphs CD, hard-drive, etc, printed maps Internet CD, thumb drives Queries, Algorithms Overlays, Other software
Why is GIS so successful? GIS can be used for modeling form and process • Process: • Why is the dust where it is? • Weather, dust type, concentration • Where will the dust go? • Form: • What does the dust cloud “look like” (I.e. its form)
Desert in SW USA Northern England Form and Process • Need both • Process helps to make predictions • Process can be used in multiple locations • Form (what it “looks like”) different • Processes (e.g. erosion, effect of CO2 on atmosphere follow the same rules)
Predicting landslides requires • General knowledge about erosion • Specific form of this area Form and Process Apply process to form: where will WTC dust settle?
Who is using GIS (besides you) 1.Government • Used at federal, state and local level • Largest group of GIS users • 70-80% of local government tasks involve GIS
Government and GIS Tax assessment Elections Homeland Security
Government and GIS http://www.mapsexoffenders.com/
Compare locations of claim to location of flood plains or hurricane 2. Business Marketing Insurance • Risk assessment • Claims Real Estate Retail and Commercial Business
3. Education Universities K-12 Libraries, museums
5. Natural Resources • Agriculture • Archeology • Forestry • Mining • Environmental management and conservation
Next Brown Bag Lunch: Thursday July 17 How can GIS model our world? Interested in a specific topic for future lecture? Contact Wilma 287-4830