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.
