Working with raster data in GIS involves handling continuous data such as satellite imagery,

elevation models, or climate data. Raster data is represented as a grid of cells, each
containing a value representing a specific attribute. Here’s an overview of key aspects when
working with raster data:
1. Importing and Displaying Raster Data
Raster Formats:
Common raster data formats include:
● GeoTIFF (.tif): A georeferenced format that includes metadata about projection and
resolution.
● JPEG/PNG: Image formats used for display purposes (often lacking georeferencing
information).
● NetCDF: A format used for multi-dimensional scientific data (e.g., climate data).
● HDF (Hierarchical Data Format): Used for satellite imagery, such as MODIS data.
Importing Raster Data:
● QGIS:
○ Go to Layer → Add Layer → Add Raster Layer and browse for the raster file you
want to import.
○ Alternatively, drag and drop the raster file directly onto the map canvas.
● ArcGIS:
○ Use the Add Data tool to load raster files. Select the raster from your local file
system or from a cloud-based storage service.
Once imported, the raster is displayed in the map view. You can adjust the display settings,
such as contrast, color bands, and transparency, through the Layer Properties menu in both
QGIS and ArcGIS.
2. Understanding Raster Attributes: Resolution, Bands, and Extent
Resolution:
● Spatial Resolution: Refers to the size of each cell or pixel in real-world units (e.g., 10
meters, 30 meters). Higher spatial resolution means finer detail (smaller pixels).
○ Example: Landsat imagery has a resolution of 30 meters per pixel, meaning each
pixel represents a 30x30 meter area on the ground.
● Temporal Resolution: Refers to how frequently a sensor captures data for the same
location (e.g., every day, every 16 days).
● Spectral Resolution: Refers to the ability of a sensor to capture data in different
wavelength bands, from visible light to infrared and beyond.
Bands:
● Rasters can have multiple bands, with each band representing a specific portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., red, green, blue, near-infrared).
○ Single-Band Raster: Contains one value per pixel (e.g., elevation data,
grayscale imagery).
○ Multi-Band Raster: Contains multiple values per pixel (e.g., RGB imagery,
satellite data with different wavelengths).
● Example: Landsat 8 imagery contains 11 bands, including visible, near-infrared, and
thermal bands.
Extent:
 ● Extent refers to the geographic area covered by a raster dataset, typically defined by
the coordinates of the dataset’s outer edges (min and max X and Y values).
○ Example: A raster covering an area from latitude 40°N to 42°N and longitude
100°W to 102°W.
3. Raster Operations: Reclassification, Overlay, and Map Algebra
Reclassification:
● Reclassification involves reassigning values in a raster to new categories or ranges,
often to simplify analysis or group similar values.
○ Example: In a land cover raster, you might reclassify multiple land cover types
into broader categories like “Forest,” “Urban,” and “Water.”
○ QGIS: Use the Raster Calculator or Reclassify by Table tool in the Processing
Toolbox.
○ ArcGIS: Use the Reclassify tool from the Spatial Analyst toolbox to change
values based on a reclassification table or specified ranges.
Overlay:
● Overlay operations involve combining multiple raster layers to analyze relationships
between different variables, similar to vector overlay but in raster format.
○ Example: Overlaying elevation and slope rasters to identify areas suitable for
agriculture.
○ QGIS: Use the Raster Calculator to combine rasters based on mathematical
operations or logical conditions (e.g., addition, subtraction, or conditional
operations).
○ ArcGIS: Use the Raster Calculator tool in the Spatial Analyst toolbox to perform
raster overlay operations.
Map Algebra:
● Map algebra allows for cell-by-cell operations on raster data using mathematical
expressions. It supports arithmetic (e.g., addition, subtraction), logical operations
(e.g., AND, OR), and conditional operations (e.g., IF statements).
○ Example: Identifying areas with elevations above 1000 meters and slopes below
10 degrees using a conditional expression.
○ QGIS: Use the Raster Calculator for map algebra operations.
○ ArcGIS: Use the Raster Calculator or Map Algebra tools in the Spatial Analyst
toolbox.
4. Remote Sensing Basics and Raster Analysis
Remote Sensing Basics:
Remote sensing involves the collection of data about the Earth’s surface from satellites or
aircraft. Sensors measure radiation reflected or emitted by objects on the Earth's surface,
producing raster data that can be analyzed for various applications such as land cover
classification, vegetation health assessment, and change detection.
● Spectral Bands: Remote sensing datasets often contain multiple spectral bands,
allowing for the analysis of different surface materials based on their reflectance
properties.
○ True Color Imagery: Uses the red, green, and blue bands to create an image
that closely resembles what the human eye would see.
○ False Color Imagery: Uses non-visible bands (e.g., near-infrared) to highlight
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certain features, such as vegetation health.
● Indices: Remote sensing analysis often involves the use of spectral indices, which are
mathematical combinations of spectral bands designed to highlight specific features
or conditions.
○ NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index): Used to assess vegetation
health based on the difference between the red and near-infrared bands.
◆ NDVI = (NIR - Red) / (NIR + Red)
○ NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index): Used to assess water bodies by
comparing the green and near-infrared bands.
Raster Analysis:
Raster analysis is used to extract meaningful information from raster data. Common raster
analysis tasks include:
● Terrain Analysis: Deriving slope, aspect, and hillshade from digital elevation models
(DEMs).
○ Slope: Measures the steepness of the terrain.
○ Aspect: Measures the direction the terrain faces.
○ Hillshade: Simulates illumination of the terrain to create a 3D-like effect.
○ QGIS: Use the Raster → Terrain Analysis tools or the Processing Toolbox to
compute slope, aspect, and hillshade.
○ ArcGIS: Use the Surface Tools in the Spatial Analyst toolbox to generate these
layers.
● Zonal Statistics: Summarizes raster values within defined zones (e.g., average
elevation within each watershed).
○ QGIS: Use the Zonal Statistics tool to calculate statistics such as mean,
minimum, and maximum for zones defined by a vector layer.
○ ArcGIS: Use the Zonal Statistics tool in the Spatial Analyst toolbox.
● Change Detection: Analyzing differences in raster data over time, commonly used in
land cover change studies or to monitor the impacts of natural disasters.
○ Example: Comparing NDVI values from two different years to assess
deforestation.
○ QGIS: Use the Raster Calculator to subtract one raster from another and detect
changes.
○ ArcGIS: Use the Raster Calculator or Image Analysis tools to perform change
detection.
Conclusion
Raster data is a powerful tool for spatial analysis, particularly in fields like environmental
monitoring, remote sensing, and terrain analysis. By understanding how to import, display,
and analyze raster data, as well as perform operations like reclassification, map algebra, and
remote sensing analysis, GIS professionals can derive valuable insights from continuous
geospatial data