Environmental GIS Nicholas A. Procopio, Ph.D, GISP

What is a GIS? “…a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information…” “…a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information…” “A smart map. A combination of a graphic display and a database. The map and the database are intimately linked so when you click on the map, the information about that point is highlighted on the screen.” “A smart map. A combination of a graphic display and a database. The map and the database are intimately linked so when you click on the map, the information about that point is highlighted on the screen.” “A system of hardware, software, and procedures designed to support, capture, manage, manipulate, analyze, model, and display spatially referenced data for solving complex planning and management problems.” “A system of hardware, software, and procedures designed to support, capture, manage, manipulate, analyze, model, and display spatially referenced data for solving complex planning and management problems.”

Information System An information system is established to achieve the objectives of collecting, storing, analyzing, and presenting information in a systematic manner An information system is established to achieve the objectives of collecting, storing, analyzing, and presenting information in a systematic manner The term geographic, which implies a spatial component to the system, are also characterized with two additional crucial properties The term geographic, which implies a spatial component to the system, are also characterized with two additional crucial properties The reference to geographic space, which means the data are registered to a geographical coordinate systemThe reference to geographic space, which means the data are registered to a geographical coordinate system The representation at geographic scale, which means the data are normally recorded at small scales and may be generalized and symbolized.The representation at geographic scale, which means the data are normally recorded at small scales and may be generalized and symbolized.

GIS Concepts Represent the real world by processing data and applying it in map form Represent the real world by processing data and applying it in map form Allows geographic features in real world locations to be digitally represented so they can be presented in map form and manipulated to address some problem Allows geographic features in real world locations to be digitally represented so they can be presented in map form and manipulated to address some problem

GIS Concepts A GIS stores the locations of geographic features as geometric entities A GIS stores the locations of geographic features as geometric entities The geographic features (geometric entities) are linked to a database The geographic features (geometric entities) are linked to a database Information about various entities can be obtained by selecting them or various analyses can be run on the entities Information about various entities can be obtained by selecting them or various analyses can be run on the entities

GIS Concepts A GIS allows a user to overlay a series of layers, each of which represents some real- world feature, to digitally view any given area. A GIS allows a user to overlay a series of layers, each of which represents some real- world feature, to digitally view any given area.

GIS Concepts

Why GIS? Space is a limited and interrelated commodity Space is a limited and interrelated commodity Information can be easily shared between different groups Information can be easily shared between different groups Complex information can be presented in a variety of formats that are easily read by an audience Complex information can be presented in a variety of formats that are easily read by an audience Return investment on data; data can be applied for other purposes Return investment on data; data can be applied for other purposes Improved decision making Improved decision making

Thinking About Geography “Almost everything that happens, happens somewhere. Knowing where something happens is critically important” – Paul A. Longley “Almost everything that happens, happens somewhere. Knowing where something happens is critically important” – Paul A. Longley Almost all human activities and decisions involve a geographic component Almost all human activities and decisions involve a geographic component Many are not aware of the importance geography is to our daily lives Many are not aware of the importance geography is to our daily lives Describe how to get to Warren Grove from campus.Describe how to get to Warren Grove from campus. Describe how to get to the hospital from here.Describe how to get to the hospital from here. How do I get around campus.How do I get around campus.

Internet Map Routing

Thinking About Geography Geography is also very important in decision making Geography is also very important in decision making Health care managers use geography when they decide where to put new hospitals and clinicsHealth care managers use geography when they decide where to put new hospitals and clinics Marketing operations to find best location for a new storeMarketing operations to find best location for a new store Delivery companies need to decide routesDelivery companies need to decide routes Transportation officials need to select new roadsTransportation officials need to select new roads Forestry companies need to manage forests: where to cut, where to locate roads, where to plant treesForestry companies need to manage forests: where to cut, where to locate roads, where to plant trees Governments need to decide on fund allocationGovernments need to decide on fund allocation Farmers need to decide where to apply fertilizers and pesticidesFarmers need to decide where to apply fertilizers and pesticides

Defining What People Know Information systems make it easy to help people manage what they know Information systems make it easy to help people manage what they know A variety of terms are used to indicate some idea of what we know A variety of terms are used to indicate some idea of what we know DataData InformationInformation EvidenceEvidence KnowledgeKnowledge WisdomWisdom

Advancements in Cartography Increase in developmental societies led to the need for newer and better maps (i.e., building of roads, railroads, and canals required the locations of towns, lakes, etc., to be accurately known. Increase in developmental societies led to the need for newer and better maps (i.e., building of roads, railroads, and canals required the locations of towns, lakes, etc., to be accurately known. Advances in mapmaking led to utilization of maps in various ways. One of these ways was to overlay a series of maps to show a large amount of information on a single display. Advances in mapmaking led to utilization of maps in various ways. One of these ways was to overlay a series of maps to show a large amount of information on a single display.

Advancements in Cartography In the 18 th Century, there is a rapid expansion of thematic mapping In the 18 th Century, there is a rapid expansion of thematic mapping Various layers of spatial data on a series of similar base maps Various layers of spatial data on a series of similar base maps

Advancements in Cartography 18 th Century maps of the Battle of Yorktown, drawn by French cartographer Louis- Alexandre Berthier contained hinged overlays to show troop movement. 18 th Century maps of the Battle of Yorktown, drawn by French cartographer Louis- Alexandre Berthier contained hinged overlays to show troop movement.

Advancements in Cartography First manual GIS developed during construction of Irish railway (1850s). A series of maps were compiled that showed information on population density, geology, and political boundaries. First manual GIS developed during construction of Irish railway (1850s). A series of maps were compiled that showed information on population density, geology, and political boundaries. Considered first manual GIS because it involved the simultaneous use of a series of maps to solve a spatial problem. Considered first manual GIS because it involved the simultaneous use of a series of maps to solve a spatial problem.

Advancements in Cartography John Snow John Snow Geography / Statistics / EpidemiologyGeography / Statistics / Epidemiology Mapped cholera outbreaks in London in 1854Mapped cholera outbreaks in London in 1854 Used spatial analysis to identify source of cholera as the water pump in the city square.Used spatial analysis to identify source of cholera as the water pump in the city square.

The 20 th Century It was the field of planning that first began to exploit thematic maps by extracting data from one map to another It was the field of planning that first began to exploit thematic maps by extracting data from one map to another In Dusseldorf, Germany (1912), several time periods were mapped for the city and time-series change overlays were constructed In Dusseldorf, Germany (1912), several time periods were mapped for the city and time-series change overlays were constructed In Billerica, Massachusetts (1912), overlays of land use and traffic circulation were constructed In Billerica, Massachusetts (1912), overlays of land use and traffic circulation were constructed

The 20 th Century During the First World War ( ), the value of complete aerial photographic reconnaissance is recognized by both sides During the First World War ( ), the value of complete aerial photographic reconnaissance is recognized by both sides Germany acquires nearly 4000 photos a day as part of the planning for their last great offensive (1918), and the US Army has made over one million prints during the last four months of the war Germany acquires nearly 4000 photos a day as part of the planning for their last great offensive (1918), and the US Army has made over one million prints during the last four months of the war

Advancement of GIS Cheaper & smaller computers Cheaper & smaller computers GIS packages improved as computer power and storage capabilities  and price GIS packages improved as computer power and storage capabilities  and price  Inexpensive data (Census & USGS) Inexpensive data (Census & USGS) User network User network Development of books, journals, magazines, conferences, organizationsDevelopment of books, journals, magazines, conferences, organizations Merging with parallel technologies (GPS, PDA, Internet) Merging with parallel technologies (GPS, PDA, Internet)

Converging GIS with surveying, remote sensing, GPS, mobile computing, etc. Converging GIS with surveying, remote sensing, GPS, mobile computing, etc. Results Results SimplerSimpler More usersMore users CheaperCheaper Used by many disciplinesUsed by many disciplines Advancement of GIS

Applications of a GIS Operational Operational Managing facilities and assetsManaging facilities and assets Utilities Utilities Waste management Waste management Property management Property management Real estate Real estate

Marketing of residential real estate in the UK (Source:

The Singleton family name derives from a place in northwest England, and understandably the greatest concentration of this name today remains in this region. But why should the name be disproportionately concentrated in the south and east of the United States? Geographical analysis of the global pattern of family names can help us to hypothesize about the historic migrations of families, communities, and cultural groups.

Applications of a GIS Management Management Distributing resources to gain a competitive advantageDistributing resources to gain a competitive advantage Retail Retail Telecommunications Telecommunications

Percentage Internet Usage as of 2008

Applications of a GIS Strategic Strategic Creation and implementation of an organizations business planCreation and implementation of an organizations business plan Retail Retail Government Government Law Enforcement Law Enforcement

Applications of a GIS Political Science Political Science Analysis of election resultsAnalysis of election results Predictive ModelingPredictive Modeling Real Estate Real Estate Neighborhood Land PricesNeighborhood Land Prices Traffic Impact AnalysisTraffic Impact Analysis Business Business Demographic AnalysisDemographic Analysis Site SelectionSite Selection Market penetrationMarket penetration Health care Health care Epidemiology Needs Analysis Education Administration Education Administration Enrollment Projections School Bus Routing

Applications of a GIS Urban Planning And Management Urban Planning And Management Zoning, Subdivision PlanningZoning, Subdivision Planning Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development Emergency ResponseEmergency Response Code EnforcementCode Enforcement Tax AssesmentTax Assesment Environmental Science Environmental Science Monitoring environmental risks Management of watersheds, floodplains, wetlands, aquifers Groundwater modeling and contamination tracking Hazardous or toxic facility siting

Mapping roadside hazards and prediction of infrastructure failure after natural disaster.

The New Jersey Pinelands Pinelands National Reserve Pinelands State Boundary

Land use in Southern New Jersey and the Pinelands

Remember…… GIS leads to better decision making! GIS leads to better decision making!

Defining What People Know Data Data Numbers, text, symbols which in some sense are neutral and context-freeNumbers, text, symbols which in some sense are neutral and context-free Raw geographical facts: what is the temperature, pressure, type of tree, building, etc.Raw geographical facts: what is the temperature, pressure, type of tree, building, etc. Information Information Implies some degree of selection, organization, or preparation for a particular purpose.Implies some degree of selection, organization, or preparation for a particular purpose. Data serving some purposeData serving some purpose Data given some degree of interpretationData given some degree of interpretation Can be costly to produce but inexpensive to reproduce and distributeCan be costly to produce but inexpensive to reproduce and distribute

Defining What People Know Knowledge Knowledge Information to which value has been added by interpretation based on some context, experience, or purpose.Information to which value has been added by interpretation based on some context, experience, or purpose. The information on a map, or book, or on the internet becomes knowledge only when it has been read and understood.The information on a map, or book, or on the internet becomes knowledge only when it has been read and understood.

Defining What People Know Wisdom Wisdom Used in the context of decisions made or advice givenUsed in the context of decisions made or advice given Based on all knowledge available, but given with some understanding of likely consequencesBased on all knowledge available, but given with some understanding of likely consequences Highly individualized and difficult to create or share within a groupHighly individualized and difficult to create or share within a group The top-level in the hierarchy of decision-making infrastructure.The top-level in the hierarchy of decision-making infrastructure.