1. Introduction to Geographic Information Science
IMT 220
Monday, November 8, 1999 by
Phil Hurvitz
GIS Specialist
UW College of Forest Resources
© Phil Hurvitz,

2. Examples of GIS products How to learn more about GIS
Overview
Why use a GIS?
What is a GIS?
Components of a GIS
How GIS works
GIS data
What can a GIS do?
Examples of GIS products
How to learn more about GIS
Live demonstration (time permitting)
© Phil Hurvitz,

3. Computer's storage power to manage large data sets.
Why use a GIS?
An extension of the paper map, but much more than a map, as you will see.
GIS uses the analytical capacity of the computer to complete complex tasks.
Computer's storage power to manage large data sets.
Integration of many different types of data from many different sources.
GIS maps a variety of different data to the same coordinate space.
More media stable than paper media, and easier to distribute via the net.
Faster and easier update.
Creation and use of "one-time" maps.
Tailor-made maps.
Elimination of some user bias.
GIS brings new tools for thinking differently about geographic data.
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4. designed to support the capture, management, manipulation, analysis,
What is a GIS?
Commonly defined as:
A system of
hardware,
software, and
procedures
designed to support the
capture,
management,
manipulation,
analysis,
modeling and
display of
spatially-referenced data
for solving
complex planning and
management problems.
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5. A set of tools used to solve complex problems
What is GIS?
A set of tools used to solve complex problems
A window to a different way of thinking about the world
A method of integrating knowledge:
DATA  INFORMATION
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6. Components of a GIS: hardware, software, data, people, and methods.
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7. How GIS Works Combination of coordinate data and tabular data
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8. All spatial data sets are registered to the same coordinate base
How GIS Works
All spatial data sets are registered to the same coordinate base
Allows for integration, comparison, and analysis among data sets
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9. Points: represent single discrete locations
GIS data
Points: represent single discrete locations
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10. Lines: represent linear features
GIS data
Lines: represent linear features
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11. Polygons: represent bounded areas
GIS data
Polygons: represent bounded areas
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12. Raster data: gridded or pixellated (tessellated) data
GIS data
Raster data: gridded or pixellated (tessellated) data
digital orthophoto
digital elevation model (DEM)
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13. GIS data: what drives a GIS
Combination of the “what” and the “where”
Features on the ground are coded with attributes
Common spatial framework for location of features
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14. Where to get GIS data (good places to start):
UW Map library
USGS
Washington Node of NSDI
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15. Locate geographic features based on properties.
What can a GIS do?
Locate geographic features based on properties.
Identify and analyze properties of geographic features based on location.
Estimate economic effects of land-use regulation.
Determine the optimal locations of new businesses.
Generate optimal routing and scheduling delivery and repair services.
Determine the ground area covered by a new cellular phone network.
Delineate watershed boundaries.
Predict vegetation types based on elevation, slope, and aspect.
Predict landslide hazard for harvest units.
Epidemeology.
Locate natural areas that need protection.
Make colorful and interesting maps.
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16. Example 1: Where is a given feature or set of features?
Where are forest stands greater than 100 years of age?
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17. Example 2: What features are at a given location?
What is the age of the forest near the 1050 Road?
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18. Example 3: Where are areas that meet a given complex set of criteria?
What parts of the forest are located:
on > 30% slope,
closer than 100 ft to a stream, and
farther than 50 ft from a road?
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19. Example 4: How can operation costs be calculated with a GIS?
What is the average yarding distance for each stand in the forest?
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20. Example 5: How can watershed analysis data be generated within a GIS?
What are the road and stream densities (mi / mi2) for the forest area?
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21. GIS maps
topographic maps
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22. GIS maps
orthophoto image maps
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23. surface drapes & 3-D modeling
GIS maps
surface drapes & 3-D modeling
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24. classified (thematic) mapping
GIS maps
classified (thematic) mapping
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25. research documentation
GIS maps
research documentation
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26. How to learn more about GIS
Take some UW courses
Take some web-based courses
Experiment on your own
© Phil Hurvitz,