VCCS Geospatial Institute Chapter 1 ‐ Overview and Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
Blacksburg, VAJuly 24th – 30th, 2010 Geospatial Overview | Page 1
An Overview of An Overview of Geospatial TechnologiesGeospatial Technologies
Prepared by:
John McGeeJ if M K
With support from:
NSF DUE-0903270
in partnership with:
Jennifer McKee
Geospatial Technician Education Through Virginia’s Community Colleges (GTEVCC)
What is “Geospatial”?What is “Geospatial”?Geospatial is a term that is commonly associated with spatial (mapping) tools and techniques that are used to support decision that are used to support decision making.These spatial tools often include:-Global Positioning Systems (GPS)-Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
-Remote Sensing
What is What is “Geospatial”?“Geospatial”?YOU already use or are impacted YOU already use or are impacted
by geospatial products and by geospatial products and services almost everyday services almost everyday whether you realize it or not…whether you realize it or not…
VCCS Geospatial Institute Chapter 1 ‐ Overview and Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
Blacksburg, VAJuly 24th – 30th, 2010 Geospatial Overview | Page 2
GPSGPSIt is the easiest of the geospatial tools to understand
Plenty of recreational uses
U d i il d t Used primarily as a data collection tool or tracking tool
Geographic Information Geographic Information System (GISSystem (GIS))
GIS is a software tool that enables GIS is a software tool that enables users to users to integrateintegrate different data different data layers from a variety of sources. layers from a variety of sources. layers from a variety of sources. layers from a variety of sources. While GIS is often associated with a While GIS is often associated with a “mapping” program, it is actually “mapping” program, it is actually much more powerful than that.much more powerful than that.GIS is a data analysis tool.GIS is a data analysis tool.
Layers form the building Layers form the building blocks of a GISblocks of a GIS
Demographics
Soil Types
Elevation + Aspect
Weather + Climate
Economic
Irrigation
Access to market
Pests + Disease
VCCS Geospatial Institute Chapter 1 ‐ Overview and Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
Blacksburg, VAJuly 24th – 30th, 2010 Geospatial Overview | Page 3
Data layers are customized Data layers are customized to fit application to fit application needs needs
Soil Types
Elevation + Aspect
Weather + Climate
Irrigation
Access to market
Pests + Disease
GIS is often used to GIS is often used to generate “what if” generate “what if”
scenarios…scenarios…What would be the impact of a 50 What would be the impact of a 50 year or 100 year flood?year or 100 year flood?
SchoolsHomesRoads
Because GIS uses LOCATION as Because GIS uses LOCATION as an essential component, it enables an essential component, it enables people to integrate databases that people to integrate databases that normally have nothing to do with normally have nothing to do with each othereach othereach other…each other…
Schools Pedophiles
VCCS Geospatial Institute Chapter 1 ‐ Overview and Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
Blacksburg, VAJuly 24th – 30th, 2010 Geospatial Overview | Page 4
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Inset 1
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1/4 Mile Buffer around K-12 SchoolsCensus Streets
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Inset 2
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“GIS is an “information integration engine”
Aerial Photography NRCS Soils
GIS is an information integration engine
USGS Topo Maps FSA CLU’s
VCCS Geospatial Institute Chapter 1 ‐ Overview and Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
Blacksburg, VAJuly 24th – 30th, 2010 Geospatial Overview | Page 5
Geographic Information Geographic Information System System ((GIS)GIS)
Where is the most suitable location for my Where is the most suitable location for my business given the following criteria?business given the following criteria?
H ill thi t ti l b i H ill thi t ti l b i How will this potential new business How will this potential new business impact the existing infrastructure?impact the existing infrastructure?
What kind of agricultural production is What kind of agricultural production is most suitable for a region, given certain most suitable for a region, given certain factors?factors?
Which waterlines are most likely to require Which waterlines are most likely to require repair?repair?
Remote SensingRemote Sensing
Remote sensing images provide localities Remote sensing images provide localities with a bird’s eye view / regional with a bird’s eye view / regional perspectiveperspectiveTh i dd i t t t t l Th i dd i t t t t l These images add important contextual These images add important contextual informationinformationIn addition, these images also serve as a In addition, these images also serve as a foundation to develop new GIS data foundation to develop new GIS data layers. layers.
Remote SensingRemote SensingUsing remote sensing, we are able to Using remote sensing, we are able to collect information that is often not collect information that is often not discernable to the unaided eye at a discernable to the unaided eye at a relatively low cost… relatively low cost… relatively low cost… relatively low cost…
VCCS Geospatial Institute Chapter 1 ‐ Overview and Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
Blacksburg, VAJuly 24th – 30th, 2010 Geospatial Overview | Page 6
Precision Precision AgricultureAgriculture
Remote sensingRemote sensingCan detect vegetation Can detect vegetation “stress” that we can “stress” that we can
Vegetation Density
stress that we can stress that we can not see with our not see with our naked eyes!naked eyes!Often, by the time we Often, by the time we can see the problem, can see the problem, it is too late...it is too late...
Water Deficit
Crop StressFrom Wikipedia.com
Imagery © 2002 Commonwealth of Virginia
Geographic Information
Systems
Geospatial Tools
Planning, Planning,
GlobalPositioning
Systems
RemoteSensing
g,g,Resource Management, Resource Management,
Economic Development, etc.Economic Development, etc.
VCCS Geospatial Institute Chapter 1 ‐ Overview and Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
Blacksburg, VAJuly 24th – 30th, 2010 Geospatial Overview | Page 7
Geospatial applications are Geospatial applications are changing the way that decisions are changing the way that decisions are
being made…being made…
GIS software can bring all of GIS software can bring all of this information togetherthis information together
Maps provide a visual product of all of Maps provide a visual product of all of this information...this information...
Not all GIS uses are related to “bugs and bunnies”Not all GIS uses are related to “bugs and bunnies”
UNH Cooperative Extension 2007
VCCS Geospatial Institute Chapter 1 ‐ Overview and Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
Blacksburg, VAJuly 24th – 30th, 2010 Geospatial Overview | Page 8
UNH Cooperative Extension 2007
THE GHOST MAP…
UNH Cooperative Extension 2007
Bad Map
UNH Cooperative Extension 2007
VCCS Geospatial Institute Chapter 1 ‐ Overview and Introduction to Geospatial Technologies
Blacksburg, VAJuly 24th – 30th, 2010 Geospatial Overview | Page 9
Interesting Map
UNH Cooperative Extension 2007
National Map Accuracy National Map Accuracy StandardsStandards
Additional InformationAdditional Information
http://www vccsgis org
http://www.gep.frec.vt.edu
http://www.vccsgis.org