Geographic Information System and other Spatial Data Handling Technologies - Term Paper Example

Name Professor Course Date of submission GIS and other Spatial Data Handling Technologies With increasing global applications of GIS, it is important to begin by understanding the concept relating to the use of this technique. GIS stands for Geographic Information System. In the environmental field, there have been a lot of degradation, pollutions, and human encroachment into the protected areas in search for space. Moreover, international countries are experiencing human-wildlife conflicts and poaching of the wild animal is becoming the next order of the day. As a result, there is need to manage the environmental process through efficiently analyzing the available data. There is need to embrace a holistic assessment method to monitor the interaction and relationship between living and non-living organisms. Environmental managers are investing in techniques, which involves the use of collation data to identify the gap between the current status quo of environmental management and the desired change. Since environmental problems are area specific, the use of geo-reference based technique that identifies the exact location experiencing environmental degradation or an area requiring immediate response of the management team. The geo-reference method has the ability of detecting any change in the ecosystem by assessing the level of environmental degradation to ensure sustainability. GIS technique involves integration of computer-based programs known as software, the hardware, data, methods, and people. In order to identify the definition for GIS, the actual definition should encompass three distinct concepts: information system about the problem in question, databases describing the information system, and the information technology applied in the concept like the software. Furthermore, the information system concept entails various components like the exact location of the problem issue, process, and their spatial interaction. There are several definitions of GIS. However, all the definitions points towards one particular direction and emphasizing the GIS is a computerized system that integrates the application of computer hardware, software, and the people to apply analytical tools to interpret the spatial data. In details, GIS is a technique that captures, stores, check validity and displace data of the problem in question in respect to the earth’s geographical surface. Moreover, it is easier to retrieve information about a particular area through GIS based data maps. The technique also manipulates the acquired data to achieve the desired information while conducting an analysis. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, GIS is an innovative method of solving different problems with an ability to convert an existing digital information into various forms are recognizable and easy to use. Upon retrieval of the information, many organizations tend to present the findings in form of printed maps or hard copy papers. According to Longley et al., (17) GIS is a description mechanism describing information system at the same time integrating the concept of storing, analyzing, storing, and sharing of the geographic information. GIS a computerized system, it has the ability of editing maps and analyzing the spatial information. In addition, this techniques allows organizations, irrespective of the spatial area covered, to monitors some of its activities from the offices. Foote and Lynch view GIS as a form of integrating Information Technology into Geography. GIS has been a major factor contributing to the shift in the modes of conducting research by geographers. Consequently, they further considered GIS as facility that prepares, presents, and interprets facts in relation to earth’s geographical surface. It uses cartographic data in configuring computer hardware software precisely designed for acquiring and maintaining information. In their explanation, the two scholars argues that the use of GIS application have been increasing to an extent that it links with the concept of information technology as some of its elements. As a result, GIS rose to become a powerful used by geographers to incorporate their data and traditional methods of geographical analysis. Russel gave the best definition as it brings together all the components of GIS. Furthermore, it outlines how GIS relates to the digital database functionality, which is common in spatial coordination as a method of referencing positions (par 3). A comprehensive definitional concept of GIS includes methods of data input, storage, transformation, and reporting. The input data comes from archive maps, aerial photography images, satellites, and conducted surveys. Most concepts conclude that GIS technique is a database application, however, there is a big difference as outlined by Russel (par. 7). To understand the definition of GIS, it is important to analyze the initial as outlined below. GIS G + IS Geographic reference Information System Spatial coordinate data of the earth’s surface Database data corresponding to location Figure 1: Diagrammatic breakdown of GIS concept For many years, confusion has existed between GIS related computer programs performing almost similar functions. This related GIS applications often creates confusion while trying to define its concept. Organizations define GIS techniques differently depending on the purpose of formulation. Therefore, this forms the basis of explanation for the several types of GIS that exist. The main objective of naming these types of GIS differently is to distinguish their roles and functions. GIS plays a significant part in the management of environmental management. However, there are several methods of handling spatial data. Spatial data are information relating to the exact location of identified issue to address. They include elements like latitudes and longitudes used for geo-referencing and map features. The mostly confused technique with GIS is the CAD system. CAD stands for computer aided design. Precisely, CAD system is drafting program used in the engineering and architectural field of professions. Moreover, they also have the ability of producing maps like GIS application though the aims of production differ. The complications between the two techniques, GIS and CAD, have been on the rise especially after the introduction of coordinates to provide map projections on CAD programs. Incorporation of the database in the CAD program makes it difficult to distinguish the maps produced by both programs. Even with factors added to CAD, GIS application still plays a crucial role in provision of richer geographical information. Both GIS and CAD technique share similar data content, but they employ distinct fundamental ethics. For examples, CAD views the earth as a cube while GIS views it as sphere. Moreover, the two methods presents varied primary application, models, and distinct editing surroundings. CAD offers a larger and detailed design for construction purposes while GIS offers a real but smaller representation of the earth. It is possible to integrate the two aspects through incorporation for data analysis but continue using the CAD format. Many researchers have not been able to tap geographical information for various mapping spread sheets like Microsoft Excel. With the increasing population utilizing the use already known spreadsheets software, the geographic information in spreadsheets, like excel, are remaining untapped. Unfortunately, the feature of map creation has been removed from some spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel. However, this application is available through purchasing MapPoint as a mapping technique from Microsoft. While mapping out geographical data, most scientists often prefer exporting their Data to GIS considering the price of using MapPoint. Alternatively, researchers are using MapCite to analyze their data freely. This spreadsheet directly maps geographical data in Microsoft Excel. Differently, GIS offers detailed information on the geographical location than the spreadsheets. Esri foundation also developed Esri Maps for Office, which also increased the number of spreadsheets as it offered more spatial data handling techniques. In this case, the geocoded and mapped data are uploaded in the GIS technique. Another free version of the spreadsheet is BeGraphics. Fortunately, this involves incorporation into either Excel or PowerPoint while conducting thematic mapping. Integration of spreadsheets into GIS software enhances the functions of spreadsheet system and extends the application of spreadsheet prototyping. Early attempts of building GIS began from nothing. There were only operating systems and compilers. Through the development process, GIS currently hosts a database management system (DBMS) which performs various. DBMS is a portion of the GIS software that is quite costly. Hence, most developers prefer leasing or still purchase. All DBMS assumes data they are handling calling for inspection of to identify the one that meets the requirement of a given spatial data. Within GIS, DBMS significantly play two roles in spatial data handling, that is, Total DBMS solution and mixed solution. In Total DBMS, all data passes through it as the designer imposes to fits all the assumptions while, in mixed solution, not all data passes through DBMS model. The only data accessing the model are attribute data and their relationships. It is important to use DBMS while handling huge information before processing the data into GIS software. Additionally, DBMS assists in decreasing data redundancy, maintaining integrity and quality of the data, and avoiding inconsistencies. Therefore, DBMS can be any set of computerized programs meant to control and maintain the organizational database through professionals like database administrators. Moreover, it permits the users and programs to access information in a structured way. In this case, the spatial problem to solve is issues of continuous human-wildlife conflict due to human encroachment into the protected areas. This is an environmental issue, which have been posing a threat to the existence of wildlife. Below is a diagrammatic representation of the steps to follow while addressing problems related to environmental issues. Figure 2: Flow diagram outlining problem-solving process The objective of the study is to reduce the human-wildlife conflicts posed by human encroachment into the protected areas. At the verification stage, depending on the received results, the outcome might proceed to the implementation stage if it meets the requirement or still re-direct back for further analysis. The spatial data contains issues relating to the locations of the problem issue, its quantification, conditions, and trends. Quantification of the spatial data explains the geographical size of the area, the length of encroachment, and demographic factors contributing to the problem in question. In addition, to understand the conditional aspect of the spatial data, it is crucial to determine the status of the problem before initiating the problem-solving techniques of GIS. The trend compares the initial position of the protected area before encroachment by the humans. In solving the problem, the case focuses on GIS software for problem-solving known as the ArcGIS to support the huge information involved in the study. While analyzing the strength of this method, it is crucial to identify its flexibility and ability to integrate with other programs at the same time. ArcGIS integrates various data formats ranging shape files, geodatabases, Computer Aided Designs (CAD), DBMS, and spreadsheets. The problem-solving technique focuses much on geodatabases for provision of structural performance and the most appropriate management strategies other file formats as it allows direct interaction with the store information. This GIS technique also incorporates others like vector-based GIS and Raster-based GIS. The main difference between the two types of GIS concept is that the vector-based method represents features on the earth surface as points, polygons, and lines while Raster method represents geographical information as singular square cells. Figure 3: Raster and Vector methods of presenting information In reviewing Vector and Raster techniques, it is significant to note that they are basic data structures, which have the ability to store and manipulating data. Since the vectors method uses coordinates based application, it offers an exact location where the problem exists, thus the best method of presenting defined objects clearly. On the other hand, Raster models base its findings on a cellular-based technique in which every cell has an attribute value. Moreover, this model is helpful while using continuously available data like rainfalls and pollutions. The problem-solving process also involves the use of AutoCAD Map as a data cleaning program to eliminate “spaghetti vector data” before importation to GIS software for data management. Its strength is that it has the ability of geo-referencing both the vector and raster data properly. As a result, it reduces the tedious process of using GIS in geo-referencing. Considering the possibility of utilizing AutoCAD as a GIS application, the program always acts like a prefect in GIS data preparation method. The weakness of this technique is that most of its available options are not suitable for GIS application. Furthermore, AutoCAD mapping techniques enables digitalization of the vectors data. In conclusion, it is important to integrate GIS application in the management system to prevent time wastage and finances in trying to find programs and software for analyzing organizational performance. Moreover, the application offers much more than monitoring and analyzing organizational through creating an atmosphere enabling the environmental managers to compare the rates of degradation. While using GIS technique in management, it is important to define clearly the spatial data required. Works cited Longley, P. A, Goodchild,. Maguire, D. J. and. Rhind, D. W. Geographic Information Systems and Science. Chichester: Wiley, 2001. Print. Russell, Julia. "Va. Students Use GIS Software to Solve Real-world Problems SmartBlogs." SmartBlogs. SmartBlog on Education, 27 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. Read More