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Introduction to GIS in Ecology

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Introduction to GIS in Ecology GIS in Ecology Charlene Nielsen, MSc [email protected] 492-9397 B414 BioSci Building www.biology.ualberta.ca/gis Overview • What a GIS is not • When (not) to use GIS in • What is a GIS? ecology • GIS is… • Advice on using GIS • …linking databases to • Learning options maps • The basics: • Types of spatial data – File management skills • Data issues in a GIS – GIS software • Conducting a GIS analysis – Symbolizing – Classifying data • Common types of spatial analyses 2 What a GIS is not GPS Software Global Positioning System Functions and tools needed to GPS data can be used in GIS store, analyze, and display analyses geographic information Requires hardware, data, and personnel in complete system Static Map Digital/paper map is an “input” Database or “product” of GIS Set of tables containing data A way to visualize output from that can be accessed or GIS analyses reassembled in many different ways Requires link to spatial data 3 What is a GIS? G I S Geographic Information System Turn data into information Personnel, Hardware, Earth Description Location data (how Software, Data, and 3 “W’s” of Geography many, what kind, Analytical Methods what is where? where) Organized to automate, why is it there? Scale of data (local to manage, and deliver global) information through why do you care? Data presentation geographic 80% of all data has a (words, graphs, presentation spatial component tables, maps) 4 GIS is… … a method to visualize, People analyze, and display spatial data Analyses … the process of Hardware GIS combining layers of Data information about a place to give you a better understanding of Software that place 5 …linking databases to maps A GIS is essentially a database that understands geometry Tables of data can be linked together and joined to vector or raster spatial data if they share a common attribute or ID 6 Types of spatial data Data Model Description Vector Models discrete features as points (coordinates), lines (arcs), and polygons (areas) with precise boundaries and shapes with attributes Example file types – vector coverages, shapefiles, CAD drawings Raster Models continuous phenomena in a surface divided into a regular grid of cells (pixels) each having an associated attribute value Example file types – grid coverages, satellite imagery, digital photos 7 Data issues in GIS DATA SOURCES Investigate and acquire the various sources of data that meet your analysis criteria: – Digitized and scanned maps – Databases (tabular data) – GPS MAP PROJECTIONS – Remote sensing/airphotos – Field sampling of attributes Consider: – What you want to do with the data – Data sharing agreements – Latest data available ATTRIBUTES – Geographic extent, scale, etc. 8 Data issues in GIS DATA SOURCES For all data layers to match up correctly when drawing them on top of each other or combining them to see relationships, they must be in the same: – Map Projection MAP PROJECTIONS – mathematical translation of locations on the globe onto the flat surface of a map – Coordinate System – specified units used to locate features in two-dimensional space and the origin point of those units ATTRIBUTES 9 Data issues in GIS DATA SOURCES Each geographic feature has attributes - particular types or categories of information - that identify, describe, or represent an associated magnitude. MAP PROJECTIONS GIS analysis depends partly on the type of attributes: – Categories = groups of similar things – Ranks = ordered features – Counts = actual total number – Amounts = measurable quantity ATTRIBUTES – Ratios = proportions and densities 10 Metadata! … the all-important ancillary information associated with a GIS data layer or coverage that characterizes the data set content, quality, condition and other characteristics: – creator’s name – data type: raster or vector – dates: collection, production, edits/updates – spatial referencing: coordinate system, projection, datum – subject content and limitations – attributes (database fields) and data dictionary – scale: minimum map unit / cell size / resolution – ...and much, much, more as necessary … information that describes or documents a geographic dataset to facilitate the intelligent use of it 11 Conducting a GIS analysis - 1 Objectives & Criteria ASSEMBLE – Frame question and DATA define criteria 2 – Specify how and who PROCESS 1 DATA will use your analysis OBJECTIVES 3 – Determine geographic & CRITERIA boundaries for region of interest 5 4 – Select appropriate map ANALYZE DATA scale (resolution, PRESENT INFORMATION precision, accuracy) 12 Conducting a GIS analysis - 2 Assemble Data ASSEMBLE – Acquire existing data DATA – Create/collect new data 2 PROCESS (digitize/field work) 1 DATA – Check for errors and OBJECTIVES & CRITERIA 3 omissions – Licensing and data sharing agreements 5 4 ANALYZE – Understand metadata DATA PRESENT INFORMATION 13 Conducting a GIS analysis - 3 Process Data ASSEMBLE – Import/convert files DATA – Define coordinate 2 systems and match PROCESS projections 1 DATA OBJECTIVES – Extract/modify existing & CRITERIA 3 features – Update attribute information 5 4 ANALYZE – Generate symbology DATA PRESENT and explore data INFORMATION – Document metadata 14 Conducting a GIS analysis - 4 Analyze Data ASSEMBLE – Often more than one DATA method to get same 2 information PROCESS 1 DATA – Select by location or by OBJECTIVES attribute & CRITERIA 3 – Overlay layers – Create buffers 5 4 – Perform calculations ANALYZE PRESENT DATA – Apply complex INFORMATION modelling 15 Conducting a GIS analysis - 5 Present Information ASSEMBLE – Interpret the output DATA 2 – Decide whether valid or PROCESS useful 1 DATA – Design map layout OBJECTIVES & CRITERIA 3 – Create graphs – Export tables 5 – Write reports/papers 4 ANALYZE DATA PRESENT INFORMATION 16 You may need to revisit previous steps! ASSEMBLE DATA 2 PROCESS 1 DATA OBJECTIVES & CRITERIA 3 5 4 ANALYZE DATA PRESENT INFORMATION 17 Common types of spatial analyses Where things are Find places that have the features What’s inside you are looking for Monitor what is happening within a Find patterns by looking at the specific area distribution of features What’s nearby The most and the least Find out what is occurring within a set Find places that meet certain criteria distance of a feature and take action See relationships between places Change Density See where and how things move over time Measure the number of features using a uniform areal unit, such as See impact before and after an action hectares or square meters, to or event clearly see the distribution Anticipate future need 18 When (not) to use GIS in ecology PROs: CONs: Combine, measure, and analyze data Lack of digital data reliably and consistently Lack of time for data collection and Alternative sources of spatial data entry Facilitates broad-scale study of Lack of experience and familiarity relatively inaccessible areas with the software False precision (obscuring sources of error) Alternatives to GIS include: A technology-led approach Databases Over-investment in data irrelevant to Digital cartography decision making Spreadsheets Image analysis Statistical packages, etc. 19 Advice on using GIS • Keep it simple • Use existing data where possible • Plan ahead and conceptualize • Document the methods and sources of data used • Check results to determine if output is valid/useful • Consult with experienced GIS users on database management, data needs, GIS procedures • Gain experience and familiarity with the software AND the concepts 20 Learning options UofA credit courses BIOL 471/571 Landscape Ecology Other Departments – EAS 221, 351, 470/570 and RENR 201, 426 Informal education Esri E-Learning courses ([email protected]) http://training.esri.com/gateway/index.cfm?fa=aul.premiumCourses Esri ArcGIS help tutorials http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/desktop/latest/main/get-started/arcgis-tutorials.htm GIS in Ecology short courses YOU ARE HERE 21 The basics… • File management skills • GIS software • Symbolizing • Classifying Always keep a GIS notebook beside your computer to jot down: sources/website of your data ~ informal metadata ~ details on any processing ~ useful help files ~ step-by-step instructions on analyses ~ etc. This will fast become an invaluable and personal “GIS bible” for you! 22 GIS file formats Shapefile WINDOWS EXPLORER A vector data storage format that stores the shape and location (*.shp), attributes (*.dbf), and lookup index (*.shx) of geographic features in a set of related files having the same prefix that must be kept together in the same directory 23 GIS file formats Coverage WINDOWS EXPLORER A vector OR raster "folder-based" data storage format that stores geographic features (as arcs, nodes, polygons, and label points OR grid cells) in a self-named folder and the associated attributes and shared spatial relationships in an info folder 24 GIS file formats E00 WINDOWS EXPLORER An interchange file format that is used to transfer vector OR raster coverages between computers (*. E00) Requires importing using a specific application or utility with your GIS software 25 GIS file formats Image WINDOWS EXPLORER A raster representation or description of a scene usually produced by an optical or electronic device; e.g. satellite data, digital aerial photographs, and scanned maps Many file formats – TIFF, JPEG, BIL, DEM, IMG, SID, etc. – some require importing using a special extension 26 GIS file formats Geodatabase A “container” that stores a collection of datasets as a folder with a name ending in .gdb (file geodatabase) or .mdb (personal geodatabase). Vector datasets
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