How GPS and GIS are used to Manage Natural Resources Presentation Given By: Amanda Tydings

GPS – Global Positioning System What is it? GPS consists of satellites which continuously orbit the Earth. There is a network of ground stations used for monitoring and control of the satellites. GPS provides users with accurate information on position, velocity, and time anywhere in the world.

Satellites There are 24 satellites that continuously orbit the Earth at an altitude of 11,000 miles Radio signals are sent from the satellites and are picked up by the GPS receivers. GPS receivers must lock on to at least 3 satellite radio signals to properly navigate.

Satellites

The Latitude/Longitude Grid The Lat/Long grid consists of the same elements. The axis are the Equator running in an east/west circle around the globe, and the Prime Meridian which is a line running north and south through Greenwich England.

The Latitude/Longitude Grid

Accuracy The accuracy of the receivers is dependent on the number and quality of the signals from the satellites. Many factors can affect the accuracy of a GPS unit. These factors include proximity to buildings, canyons and trees. Even haze can prevent you from getting a good satellite signal. Accuracy can be off by as much as 300 ft.

How to Use a GPS Receiver Marking a waypoint Finding a previously saved waypoint Rate of travel

Practical Uses for GPS Receivers One can navigate back to a starting point or other predetermined locations with out the use of maps or any other equipment Navigation Search and Rescue Hiking Hunting Camping Fishing

GIS – Geographic Information System What is it? GIS stores information about the world as a collection of layers and display this information as maps. GIS technology can be used for scientific investigations, resource management, development planning and many other applications.

Representation of GIS Layers

Layers Layers can include stand delineation, demographics and census data, transportation, populated places, political boundaries, soils, surface water and aquifers and many more. Geography is the glue that binds these layers together. GIS is the tool that allows you to see the relationship between them.

Layers

Land Uses of a Watershed

Integrating GPS and GIS

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