Geographic Information Systems Overview

These flashcards cover the key concepts and definitions related to Geographic Information Systems, as per the lecture notes.

Collection, storage and management, retrieval, conversion, analysis, modelling, and display of geographic data.

What are the primary responsibilities of a GIS?

Organisation and people, applications, methodology, data, software, and hardware.

What components make up a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

Temporal data refers to the time-related attributes of spatial data, crucial for understanding changes over time in geographic landscapes.

How does temporal data relate to GIS?

Discrete features have distinct boundaries and identities, while continuous features do not have definite borders and transition from one value to another.

What is the main difference between discrete and continuous features in GIS?

Spatial data, which occupies geographic space and has a specific location according to a world referencing system.

What does GIS use as its primary component?

"The capacity to learn is a GIFT; the ability to learn is a SKILL; the willingness to learn is a CHOICE."

What quote summarizes the learning process according to Brian Herbert?

The nature of the data determines the methodology and processes used throughout GIS operations.

Why is data management crucial in GIS?

Less data redundancy, clearer representation of discrete features, and greater precision in spatial property computations.

What are the advantages of using vector data in GIS?

Software programs like ArcGIS and QGIS, along with hardware like computers and plotters.

What technology is commonly used in GIS?

To analyze and visualize geographic information for various professional fields including urban planning, environmental management, and hazard analysis.

What is the purpose of GIS applications?

Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things.

What is Tobler’s first law of geography?

Maps may distort size and distance, particularly near the poles, leading to inaccurate comparisons of area.

How are maps often distorted in terms of geographic representation?

Monitoring involves observing and tracking changes in geographic data to inform decision-making.

What role does monitoring play in GIS?

Discrete features and continuous features.

What two categories can spatial data be divided into?