Environmental GIS

Environmental GIS

Nicholas A. Procopio, Ph.D, GISP

[email protected]

What is a GIS?

“…“…a computer system capable of assembling, storing, a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information…”information…”

““A smart map. A combination of a graphic display and a A smart map. A combination of a graphic display and a database. The map and the database are intimately linked so database. The map and the database are intimately linked so when you click on the map, the information about that point is when you click on the map, the information about that point is highlighted on the screen.”highlighted on the screen.”

““A system of hardware, software, and procedures designed to A system of hardware, software, and procedures designed to support, capture, manage, manipulate, analyze, model, and support, capture, manage, manipulate, analyze, model, and display spatially referenced data for solving complex planning display spatially referenced data for solving complex planning and management problems.”and management problems.”

Information System

An information system is established to achieve the objectives An information system is established to achieve the objectives of collecting, storing, analyzing, and presenting information in a of collecting, storing, analyzing, and presenting information in a systematic manner systematic manner

The term geographic, which implies a spatial component to the The term geographic, which implies a spatial component to the system, are also characterized with two additional crucial system, are also characterized with two additional crucial propertiesproperties • The reference to geographic space, which means the data are registered The reference to geographic space, which means the data are registered

to a geographical coordinate system to a geographical coordinate system • The representation at geographic scale, which means the data are The representation at geographic scale, which means the data are

normally recorded at small scales and may be generalized and normally recorded at small scales and may be generalized and symbolized.symbolized.

GIS Concepts

Represent the real world by processing data and Represent the real world by processing data and applying it in map formapplying it in map form

Allows geographic features in real world locations to Allows geographic features in real world locations to be digitally represented so they can be presented in be digitally represented so they can be presented in map form and manipulated to address some problemmap form and manipulated to address some problem

GIS Concepts

A GIS stores the locations of geographic features as geometric A GIS stores the locations of geographic features as geometric entitiesentities

The geographic features (geometric entities) are linked to a The geographic features (geometric entities) are linked to a databasedatabase

Information about various entities can be obtained by selecting Information about various entities can be obtained by selecting them or various analyses can be run on the entitiesthem or various analyses can be run on the entities

GIS Concepts

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

GIS Concepts

Why GIS?

Space is a limited and interrelated commoditySpace is a limited and interrelated commodity Information can be easily shared between different groupsInformation can be easily shared between different groups Complex information can be presented in a variety of formats Complex information can be presented in a variety of formats

that are easily read by an audiencethat are easily read by an audience Return investment on data; data can be applied for other Return investment on data; data can be applied for other

purposespurposes Improved decision makingImproved decision making

Thinking About Geography

““Almost everything that happens, happens Almost everything that happens, happens somewhere. Knowing where something happens is somewhere. Knowing where something happens is critically important” – Paul A. Longleycritically important” – Paul A. Longley

Almost all human activities and decisions involve a Almost all human activities and decisions involve a geographic component geographic component

Many are not aware of the importance geography is Many are not aware of the importance geography is to our daily livesto 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 makingGeography is also very important in decision making• Health care managers use geography when they decide Health care managers use geography when they decide

where to put new hospitals and clinics 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 routes Delivery companies need to decide routes • Transportation officials need to select new roads Transportation officials need to select new roads • Forestry companies need to manage forests: where to cut, Forestry companies need to manage forests: where to cut,

where to locate roads, where to plant trees where to locate roads, where to plant trees • Governments need to decide on fund allocation Governments need to decide on fund allocation • Farmers need to decide where to apply fertilizers and Farmers need to decide where to apply fertilizers and

pesticides pesticides

Defining What People Know

Information systems make it easy to help people manage what Information systems make it easy to help people manage what they knowthey know

A variety of terms are used to indicate some idea of what we A variety of terms are used to indicate some idea of what we knowknow• DataData• InformationInformation• EvidenceEvidence• KnowledgeKnowledge• WisdomWisdom

Advancements in Cartography Increase in developmental societies led to the need Increase in developmental societies led to the need

for newer and better maps (i.e., building of roads, for newer and better maps (i.e., building of roads, railroads, and canals required the locations of towns, railroads, and canals required the locations of towns, lakes, etc., to be accurately known.lakes, etc., to be accurately known.

Advances in mapmaking led to utilization of maps in Advances in mapmaking led to utilization of maps in various ways. One of these ways was to overlay a various ways. One of these ways was to overlay a series of maps to show a large amount of information series of maps to show a large amount of information on a single display.on a single display.

Advancements in Cartography

In the 18In the 18thth Century, there is a rapid expansion Century, there is a rapid expansion of thematic mappingof thematic mapping

Various layers of spatial data on a series of Various layers of spatial data on a series of similar base mapssimilar base maps


1818thth Century maps of the Battle of Yorktown, Century maps of the Battle of Yorktown, drawn by French cartographer Louis-drawn by French cartographer Louis-Alexandre Berthier contained Alexandre Berthier contained hingedhinged overlays overlays to show troop movement.to show troop movement.


First manual GIS developed during construction of First manual GIS developed during construction of Irish railway (1850s). A series of maps were Irish railway (1850s). A series of maps were compiled that showed information on population compiled that showed information on population density, geology, and political boundaries.density, geology, and political boundaries.

Considered first manual GIS because it involved the Considered first manual GIS because it involved the simultaneous use of a series of maps to solve a spatial simultaneous use of a series of maps to solve a spatial problem.problem.


John SnowJohn Snow• Geography / Statistics / Geography / Statistics /

EpidemiologyEpidemiology• Mapped cholera outbreaks Mapped cholera outbreaks

in London in 1854in London in 1854• Used spatial analysis to Used spatial analysis to

identify source of cholera identify source of cholera as the water pump in the as the water pump in the city square.city square.

The 20th Century It was the field of planning that first began to exploit It was the field of planning that first began to exploit

thematic maps by extracting data from one map to thematic maps by extracting data from one map to another another

In Dusseldorf, Germany (1912), several time periods In Dusseldorf, Germany (1912), several time periods were mapped for the city and time-series change were mapped for the city and time-series change overlays were constructedoverlays were constructed

In Billerica, Massachusetts (1912), overlays of land In Billerica, Massachusetts (1912), overlays of land use and traffic circulation were constructeduse and traffic circulation were constructed

The 20th Century

During the First World War (1914-1918), the value of During the First World War (1914-1918), the value of complete aerial photographic reconnaissance is complete aerial photographic reconnaissance is recognized by both sides recognized by both sides

Germany acquires nearly 4000 photos a day as part of Germany acquires nearly 4000 photos a day as part of the planning for their last great offensive (1918), and the planning for their last great offensive (1918), and the US Army has made over one million prints during the US Army has made over one million prints during the last four months of the war the last four months of the war

Advancement of GIS Cheaper & smaller computersCheaper & smaller computers

• GIS packages improved as computer power and storage GIS packages improved as computer power and storage capabilities capabilities and price and price

Inexpensive data (Census & USGS)Inexpensive data (Census & USGS) User networkUser network

• Development of books, journals, magazines, conferences, Development of books, journals, magazines, conferences, organizationsorganizations

Merging with parallel technologies (GPS, PDA, Internet)Merging with parallel technologies (GPS, PDA, Internet)

Converging GIS with Converging GIS with surveying, remote sensing, surveying, remote sensing, GPS, mobile computing, GPS, mobile computing, etc.etc.

ResultsResults• SimplerSimpler• More usersMore users• CheaperCheaper• Used by many disciplinesUsed by many disciplines

Advancement of GIS

Applications of a GIS OperationalOperational

• Managing facilities and assetsManaging facilities and assets UtilitiesUtilities Waste managementWaste management Property managementProperty management Real estateReal estate

Marketing of residential real estate in the UK (Source: www.nestoria.co.uk)

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.

http://storymaps.esri.com/stories/ireland/

http://storymaps.esri.com/stories/ireland/

Applications of a GIS ManagementManagement

• Distributing resources to gain a competitive Distributing resources to gain a competitive advantageadvantage

RetailRetail TelecommunicationsTelecommunications

Percentage Internet Usage as of 2008

Applications of a GIS StrategicStrategic

• Creation and implementation of an organizations Creation and implementation of an organizations business planbusiness plan

RetailRetail GovernmentGovernment Law EnforcementLaw Enforcement

Applications of a GIS Political SciencePolitical Science

• Analysis of election resultsAnalysis of election results• Predictive ModelingPredictive Modeling

Real EstateReal Estate• Neighborhood Land PricesNeighborhood Land Prices• Traffic Impact AnalysisTraffic Impact Analysis

BusinessBusiness• Demographic AnalysisDemographic Analysis• Site SelectionSite Selection• Market penetrationMarket penetration

Health careHealth care• EpidemiologyEpidemiology• Needs AnalysisNeeds Analysis

Education Education AdministrationAdministration• Enrollment ProjectionsEnrollment Projections• School Bus RoutingSchool Bus Routing

Applications of a GIS Urban Planning And Urban Planning And

ManagementManagement• Zoning, Subdivision Zoning, Subdivision

PlanningPlanning• Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development• Emergency ResponseEmergency Response• Code EnforcementCode Enforcement• Tax AssesmentTax Assesment

Environmental Environmental ScienceScience• Monitoring environmental Monitoring environmental

risksrisks• Management of Management of

watersheds, floodplains, watersheds, floodplains, wetlands, aquiferswetlands, aquifers

• Groundwater modeling and Groundwater modeling and contamination trackingcontamination tracking

• Hazardous or toxic facility Hazardous or toxic facility sitingsiting

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

_̂Trenton

Pemberton

Buena

Batsto

Whiting

Medford

Woodbine

Tuckerton

Lakehurst

Hammonton

Manahawkin

Chatsworth

Mays Landing

Browns Mills

Port Elizabeth

Colliers Mills

Egg Harbor City

Berlin

Vineland

Toms RiverMount Holly

The New Jersey Pinelands

Pinelands National ReservePinelands State Boundary

Land use in Southern New Jersey and the

Pinelands

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


DataData• Numbers, text, symbols which in some sense are neutral Numbers, text, symbols which in some sense are neutral

and context-free and context-free • Raw geographical facts: what is the temperature, pressure, Raw geographical facts: what is the temperature, pressure,

type of tree, building, etc. type of tree, building, etc. InformationInformation

• Implies some degree of selection, organization, or Implies some degree of selection, organization, or preparation for a particular purpose. preparation for a particular purpose.

• Data serving some purpose Data serving some purpose • Data given some degree of interpretation Data given some degree of interpretation • Can be costly to produce but inexpensive to reproduce and Can be costly to produce but inexpensive to reproduce and

distribute distribute


KnowledgeKnowledge• Information to which value has been added by Information to which value has been added by

interpretation based on some context, experience, or interpretation based on some context, experience, or purpose. purpose.

• The information on a map, or book, or on the internet The information on a map, or book, or on the internet becomes knowledge only when it has been read and becomes knowledge only when it has been read and understood .understood .


WisdomWisdom• Used in the context of decisions made or advice given Used in the context of decisions made or advice given • Based on all knowledge available, but given with some Based on all knowledge available, but given with some

understanding of likely consequences understanding of likely consequences • Highly individualized and difficult to create or share within Highly individualized and difficult to create or share within

a group a group • The top-level in the hierarchy of decision-making The top-level in the hierarchy of decision-making

infrastructure. infrastructure.

Environmental GIS

Documents