Term | Definition |
---|---|
Raster | A spatial data model representing geographic phenomena as a grid of equally sized cells, each with an attribute value. |
Pixel (Cell) | The smallest unit in a raster grid, storing a single value for the area it represents. |
Local Operation | Raster calculation where each output cell value is computed solely from the corresponding input cell(s). |
Focal Operation | Also called neighborhood analysis; computes output cell values based on a function applied to a surrounding window of input cells. |
Zonal Operation | Aggregates or summarizes input cell values within zones defined by another layer, producing statistics per zone. |
Global Operation | Computes output values using information from all cells in the raster (e.g., viewshed, hillshade, distance). |
Overlay | The process of combining two or more raster layers cell-by-cell, often using Boolean or arithmetic operators. |
Reclassification | Assigning new values to cells based on their original values, typically to group or simplify categories (e.g., land-cover types). |
Slope | A global derivative of elevation, measuring the rate of change (steepness) of elevation across neighboring cells. |
Aspect | The compass direction that a slope faces, derived from the relative elevation of neighboring cells. |
Viewshed | A global analysis identifying which cells are visible from a specified observer location based on elevation. |
Hillshade | A shaded relief representation of terrain created by simulating illumination of the surface from a light source at a specified angle and altitude. |
Focal Variety | A focal statistic that counts the number of unique cell values within a defined neighborhood around each cell. |
Distance | A global or local analysis calculating the Euclidean distance from each cell to the nearest cell meeting a specified condition (e.g., water presence). } |