GIS Geographic Information Systems Jonathan Smith Dept of

GIS Geographic Information Systems Jonathan Smith Dept. of Geosciences Oregon State University JDKEY 1— 1

“Geography matters to all of us. ” We all share the same geography, so we are all related to one another. GIS allows us to better understand geography. JDKEY 1— 2

What is a “GIS”? A GIS is a set of tools for analyzing spatial data. This set of tools is made up of databases, maps, and different ways to link the two (like computer software programs. ) Spatial = Related to the space around us, where we live and function. JDKEY 1— 3

Spatial vs. Non-spatial A non-spatial database: DATE TEMP (F) RAINFALL (in. ) Nov. 10 71 0. 0 Nov. 11 60 1. 2 Nov. 12 63 0. 4 A spatial database: DATE PORTLAND TEMP (C) PORTLAND RAINFALL (in. ) CORVALLIS TEMP (C) RAINFALL (in. ) Nov. 10 71 0. 0 75 0. 0 Nov. 11 60 1. 2 64 0. 7 Nov. 12 63 0. 4 62 0. 1 JDKEY 1— 4

A GIS sees the world as layers… Social Factors Biodiversity Engineering Land Use Environmental Considerations JDKEY 1— 5

…and objects as one of 3 types: • • • Polygons (example: a U. S. state) Lines (examples: a highway or river) Points (example: a city) JDKEY 1— 6

GIS allows us to understand things at different scales, and to link different part of the world together Looking at the whole…. • Patterns • Linkages • Trends Or looking at smaller regions. • • Watersheds Communities Neighborhoods Ecosystems JDKEY 1— 7

What are the advantages of using GIS to study something? • It provides us with a framework for studying complex systems • It allows us to integrate our knowledge about places • It gives us better spatial organization JDKEY 1— 8

Questions a GIS can help you answer: Where can you find certain kinds of plants and animals? (BIOLOGY) Where are earthquakes most likely to occur? (GEOLOGY) Where is it likely to be hot or cold or wet or dry? (CLIMATOLOGY) Where did people vote for Gore and Bush? (POLITICAL SCIENCE) Where do most of the people younger than age 20 live in Oregon? (CENSUS STUDIES) JDKEY 1— 9