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Geographical Information System

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19 views32 pages

Geographical Information System

Uploaded by

mpendulomyeni12
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GIS

(GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM)


GIS (Geographical information system)

• Is a computer- based technology and method for collecting,


analysing, managing, modelling and presenting geographical data
for a wide range of users.
Components of GIS

• People/ Users
• Software
• Data/ information/maps/ photos
• Application
• Hardware/ Computer
• Procedure/ Process
• Network
Processes to follow when working with GIS

• Data Input
• Data Storage
• Data Manipulation
• Data analysis
• Output information
• Data management
• Data application
Devices used in GIS

• Scanner
• Keyboard
• Printer
• Tape back-up
• Network cable
• Image server
• Modem
• Gateway
• Client/Person
Roles of people in a GIS

• People collect data


• People manipulate and process the information
• People use the information
• People develop GIS programme and capture data
Uses of GIS in locating business

• Determine the number of residents


• Distance travelled from all residents to the CBD (range)
• Family size of residents( inhabitants)
• Number of people with cars
• Income groups inhabitants
• Pay dates of inhabitants
• Determine crime level
• Determine availability of open land
Remote sensing

• Refers to the gathering of information about the earth without


having direct contact with the surface.
 satellite
Aeroplane
Hot air balloon
Two types of remote sensing

• Passive remote sensing


- collecting data that constantly radiates from Earth
• Active remote sensing
- collecting data only when the satellite sends radiation to the target
area
Advantages of remote sensing

• Data can be collected from inaccessible area


• Large areas can be captured as images
• Can be made available at short notice especially in times of
disaster management
• It can be used to track changes and development in an area over
time.
Disadvantages of remote sensing

• Expensive to build and operate


• Accuracy of measurement is not certain
• Resolution is often poor
• Data interpretation can be difficult
Database

• Is a storage system with linked tables


Data manipulation

• The process used to organise data for your specific


Reason to manipulate data in a database

• Correct distortions
• Sharpen definition
• Ensure colour consistency
• Makes data more manageable
• Correct latitude and longitude registration
Spatial data and attribute data

• Spatial data – describes the shape and location of geographical


features using coordinates
• Attribute data – describes the characteristic of features
Two ways to store spatial data

• Vector Data
• Raster data
Vector data and Raster data

• Vector data –real world is represented by point, line and polygons


Points = Houses, tree, Trig station, spot height
Line = river, road, other roads, Non perennial river, row of trees
Polygon = cultivated land, dam, mine dump, build-up area,
cemetery, woodland

• Raster data –real world features are represented by grid cells


called pixels.
Spatial data structures

Raster

Vector
Spatial data structures

Raster Vector

Pixels Points, lines, areas


( Nodes, arcs, polygons)
Spatial resolution

• Refers to the degree of details and clarity of an image

High Low

Many pixels Less pixels


Small pixels Larger pixels
Objects easily recognised Objects not easily recognised
Data layering/ overlaying

• Refers to combination of different data layers to produce a map for


a particular area.
Use of data layering in GIS

• Different sets of data can be compared


• Relationship between different sets of data can be established
• Analysing different sets of information
• Comparisons can assist with future development
Use of data layering in GIS

• Different types of data layers – Examples below:


Infrastructure – roads, railway lines, power lines, hiking trails
Drainage – dam, rivers, reservoirs, canals, furrows, etc.
Topography – relief, contour lines
Geology – rock structure, etc.
Settlements – Houses, buildings
Vegetation
Buffering

• Is a process of demarcating an area around a feature or an object.


Use of buffering

• Protection of local residents against flooding.


• It will indicate where no residential, industrial and agricultural
activities can be located.
• To prevent pollution from pesticides and industrial wastes for being
deposited in the river.
• Protect the river ecosystem
• Prevent animals to cross the road.
Data sharing

• Refers to GIS systems that allows others to use your data.


Data security

• Refers to restricting the availability of data to certain people


or organisations.
Statistical analysis

• Is when interpreting the various forms of statistics in relation to a


query that might not be obvious simply by looking at a map
Data standardisation

• It is process where data is captured follows to a predetermined


agree format
E,g In south Africa all ID numbers have 13 digits.
Data sources used in GIS

Primary data Secondary data


• Refers to data that is collected • Refers to data that is collected
directly through observations, obtained from existing sources
fieldwork and surveys captured or supplied by another
measurements source. For example, maps, books,
magazines etc.

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