Geographic Information Systems: Human and Animal Health Applications

Introduction to GIS Concepts & Software

Geographic Information Systems: Human and Animal Health Applications

Introduction to GIS Concepts & Software

Patrick FloranceSenior GIS Specialist, UIT

Tufts University

Patrick FloranceSenior GIS Specialist, UIT

Tufts University

GoalsGoals• Basic understanding:

– Principles and theory of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)– GIS software: ArcGIS

• Application area:– Human & animal health

• Both for:– Immediate course research project– Future work/research

OverviewOverviewClass 1: Introduction to GIS & Thematic Cartography

Class 2: GIS Data Sources and Structure snd Analysis

Class 3: GIS Analysis

Class 4: Intro to Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

FormatFormat• Lecture & lab within 3 hour period

– Emphasis on questions and discussion• Concurrently with ArcGIS tutorials

Learning GIS Fundamentals I:Introduction to GIS

Concepts & Software

Learning GIS Fundamentals I:Introduction to GIS

Concepts & Software

GISGeographic Information Systems

NOT GPS (Global Positioning System)

GISGeographic Information Systems

NOT GPS (Global Positioning System)

Definition of GISDefinition of GISGIS is a system of computer

software, hardware, data and personnel to help store, manipulate, analyze, and present information that is tied to a spatial location.

GIS is NOT:GIS is NOT:• A static map – paper or digital

• Maps are “products” of GIS

• A software package• GIS software is just one component of a GIS• There are many software packages

Geographic Information SystemsGeographic Information Systems

• Graphics Vector graphics to represent features on or below the surface of

the Earth.

Hospital, crime/disease incident, manhole, well, parking meter, city, etc.

Road, river, sewer, etc.

Building, parcel, lake, river, etc.

Points

Lines

Polygons

Geographic Information SystemsGeographic Information Systems

• Geo - Graphics Vector graphics with real-world coordinates

Hospital, crime/disease incident, manhole, well, parking meter, city, etc.

Road, river, etc.

Building, parcel, lake, river, etc.

Long/Lat

X/Y

Geographic Information SystemsGeographic Information Systems

• Information Geo-Graphics attached to a database

Road from MassGIS

Geographic Information SystemsGeographic Information Systems• Where? What? How?

Site Suitability: locate optimal sites for a tiger habitats• Tiger location sample data• Vegetation• Elevation• Slope• Proximity to water• Within protected areas• Distance from population

centers

Geographic Information SystemsGeographic Information Systems

• Systems Put it all together:

Data, software, hardware, people, methods, etc.

ArcGIS ExampleArcGIS Example

Use of GISUse of GIS• Mapping & Visualization• Analysis and Modeling• Resource Management

Thematic MappingThematic Mapping

Thematic MappingThematic Mapping

Annualized average incidence of HFRS (Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome) in mainland China during 1994 – 1998 (Liqun Fang, 2006).

GPS: Monkey Locations in Kathmandu

Takesaka, L.

Risk AssessmentWest Nile Virus, New York City

Risk Map of New York City for Aug 23, 2001. Darker red areas indicatehigher probability of viral activity. Blue "head" icons were added laterand show where human cases will occur within the next two weeks. (Strite Potter, 2002)

Hot Spot Clusters

Wildlife Habitat ModelingPredictive modeling of tiger signsHuay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand

Change Detection

http://gis.tufts.eduhttp://gis.tufts.edu

• GIS Data Sources• GIS Instructional Materials and

Tutorials– New GIS Teaching & Research Wiki

• Geocoding, Joins, Census data, etc.

• GIS Computing• GIS Lab Assistant Hours

GIS Lab I:

Examining Spatial Distribution of Cholera Epidemic in Peru

GIS Lab I:

Examining Spatial Distribution of Cholera Epidemic in Peru

GIS SoftwareGIS Software• ArcGIS 9.3 Product Tier

ArcGIS ArcView ArcGIS ArcEditor ArcGIS ArcInfo

• ArcView 3.3 Older product

basic ($)medium ($$)advanced ($$$$)

GIS SoftwareGIS Software• ArcGIS 9.3 Core Modules

ArcMap: mapping, data editing, analysis ArcToolbox: analysis, geoprocessing ArcCatalog: organizing, preview, metadata

• Launch ArcGISArcMap

U.S Census GeographyU.S Census Geography•CountryStateCountyTractBlock GroupBlock

Cote d’IvoireCote d’Ivoire•CountryDépartementCommuneQuartier

•1st2nd3rd4th Level Administrative Geography

Thematic MappingThematic Mapping• A Thematic Map (statistical map) is used to

display the spatial pattern of a particular theme or attribute.

• They are different from a general-reference map which is based on location (i.e., world political reference map).

• In GIS, one creates thematic maps using the attributes.

Attribute/Variable Data TypesAttribute/Variable Data Types

Data Type Description Classification

Nominal Categories

Ethnicity, Gender, Political Party

Categories

Ordinal Rank Order1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.

Categories/Quantities

Interval/ratio Numeric-10000 to 9999

Quantities

Joining DataJoining DataJoin separate tabular data to GIS data through a unique identifier that exists in both datasets

GIS ShapefileAttributes of GIS Shapefile Excel spreadsheet data

Joining DataJoining DataOnce the join is completed, the separate tabular data is joined (appended) to the GIS data and ready to be used within GIS for mapping and analysis

GIS Shapefile

Attributes of GIS Shapefile with excel data joined

Graduated Symbol MapGraduated Symbol Map• Thematic mapping is not limited to area or

polygon data• Lines & points can also be classified based

on attribute values• Often use raw count numerical data• Often use nominal data

Thematic Mapping - ElementsThematic Mapping - Elements• Title• Geographic region• Time period (i.e., year)• Legend• North arrow - orientation• Scale bar• Data source• Date of composition• Cartographer - who made the map?

GIS Data FormatsGIS Data Formats

• ESRI formats– Shapefile– Coverage

• Topology, multiple geometries

• Come bundled as E00 files

– Geodatabase• Object-oriented GIS

• Many other formats– MapInfo– DLG– TIGER– VPF

GIS: Helpful HintsGIS: Helpful Hints

GIS datasets come as layersMost common is the shapefileOther formats: coverage, geodatabase

.MXDMap document that stores the pathways to the datasets (layers). If you move the .mxd to another location (CD, flash drive, another PC), you must also move the datasets (shapefiles) or at least redefine the source

Save oftenWhen in doubt, RIGHT CLICK!

GIS: Helpful HintsGIS: Helpful Hints

The JoinJoin by attributes

•Joins separate tabular data to GIS data via a unique identifier•Usually must “clean” data before joining•Right Click on Layer Joins and Relates

Spatial Join•Joins data based on spatial location•Right Click on Layer Joins and Relates

GIS: Helpful HintsGIS: Helpful Hints

Selection•Select features manually with the selection tool•Select features by location•Select features by their attributes

Data Views: 2 Views•Data View: manipulating & editing data•Layout View: page layout for map design and adding map elements

Questions? Comments?Questions? Comments?

Patrick FloranceSenior GIS Specialist, UIT

Tufts University

Patrick FloranceSenior GIS Specialist, UIT

Tufts University

http://gis.tufts.eduhttp://gis.tufts.edu