GIS: A Visual Approach

396 Pages·1996·14.726 MB·English

by  Bruce E. Davis

GIS A VISUAL APPROACH
DAVIS, BRUCE ELLSWORTH
G70.212.D3fl mb
GIS:
A Visual Approach
Bruce E. Davis
OnWord Press
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Copyright © 1996 Bruce E. Davis
SAN 694-0269
First Edition, 1996
109876543
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Davis, Bruce E.
Geographic information systems : a visual approach/Bruce E. Davis
— 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 1-56690-098-0
1. Geographic Information Systems. I. Title.
G70.212.d38 1996
910’.285—dc20
96-8029
CIP
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GIS: A Visual Approach in
About the Author
Baice Davis is a geographer, with a B.A. from the University of California,
Santa Barbara, M.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi, and Ph.D. from
the University of California, Los Angeles. He has taught in various schools
throughout the United States, primarily in the Southeast. With over twenty-
five years experience in remote sensing and GIS, he has served as director of
several centers, as a GIS consultant, NASA visiting scholar, applied practitioner,
a Fulbright Scholar to the University of the South Pacific (USP), and teacher.
Dr. Davis is currently a Senior Lecturer in Geography and founding Director
of the GIS Unit at USP in Fiji.
Acknowledgments
The production of anything worthwhile demands the labors of many folks,
too often unseen and unappreciated. My sincerest gratitude goes first to Mr.
Kevin Schultz, a long-time and valued colleague who helped start this text; many
thanks, Kevin. I also owe thanks (and apologies) to the many students, par¬
ticularly at the University of the South Pacific, who suffered through various trials
and tribulations of refining the material. Mr. George Saemane, dear friend and
dose colleague at USP, deserves all the appreciation, and more, that I can offer.
To the staff at High Mountain Press I am indebted for the opportunity, patience,
cooperation, and hard work that helped get this accomplished. To Erin and Eric,
who survived the all-too-frequent periods of absentee fatherhood, even when I
was there, and compensated for my irresponsibilities. And last, few men ac¬
complish much without the proverbial good woman behind, pushing and
pointing and suffering and tolerating; to Tina, my closest friend and love of my
life, who knows me better than I ever could, I give of myself. I take full re¬
sponsibility for any errors or confusions in this book, but nothing positive could
have been achieved without these and other magnificent compatriots.
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2019 with funding from
Kahle/Austin Foundation
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Contents
Preface.ix
Introduction.xi
Chapter 1: GIS and the Information Age .1
Introduction .1
Information and Change.3
Why GIS?.11
What Is GIS?.21
GIS Principles .34
Chapter 2: What Does GIS Do?.37
Introduction.37
Preview of GIS Functions .39
Modeling.49
The Nature of GIS .53
Chapter 3: Spatial Data .57
Introduction.57
Spatial Data .63
The GIS Database .71
Attributes.73
Data Manipulation Options.75
The GIS Relational Database.77
The Database Approach.80
Chapter 4: Raster and Vector Data.83
Introduction.83
Descriptions: Raster and Vector .89
Raster Data.93
Vector Data .101
Raster Versus Vector .105
Raster to Vector .107
Raster and Vector Pros and Cons .Ill
GIS: A Visual Approach
VI
Chapter 5: Topology.119
Introduction .119
Topology and Spatial Relationships .123
Intelligent Structure .125
Database Links.127
Topology and Relational Query .129
Multiple Connectivity.131
Topology’s Advantages .133
Chapter 6: Data Entry.135
Introduction .135
GIS Data Acquisition .137
Remote Sensing .139
General Reference to Thematic Data.147
Manual Digitizing.149
Editing Digitized Data: Problems.153
Automatic Digitizing .156
Georeferencing .163
Digitized File Conversion.169
Database Construction.171
GIS and the GPS.173
Data Output .177
Chapter 7: Inventory Operations.181
Introduction .181
List Operations.183
Database Capabilities.185
Linking .191
Graphic Selection Query .193
Boolean Queries .195 .
Measurement .197
Statistical Reports.199
Coverage Modification.201
Graphics Update and Modification .203
Spatial Deletes .205
Dissolve .207
Contents VII
Recode.209
Taking Stock .209
Chapter 8: Basic Analysis .211
Introduction.211
Database Recode.213
Thematics to General Reference.219
Overlay .221
Map Algebra and Overlay.229
Overlay Codes: Planned Results.233
Overlay Using Weights .235
Matrix: Add .236
Matrix Recode Overlay .239
Vector Overlay.241
Overlay Options .242
Clip and Mask .245
Scalar Image .249
Mosaic with Rotate .251
Analysis Method .253
Buffers. 255
Spatial Analysis .265
Statistical Reporting and Graphing.267
Initial Operations in Brief.267
Chapter 9: Advanced Analysis.269
Introduction.269
Proximity Analysis.271
Graphics Operations.277
Terrain Analysis.281
Network Operations .287
Chapter 10: Site Suitability and Models.295
Introduction.295
Overlay .305
Models.309
Application Planning.325
Site Suitability and Models Recap.327
VIII GIS: A Visual Approach
Chapter 11: Data Issues and Problems.329
Introduction .329
Raster Problems .331
Second-generation Data.335
Scale .337
Edge Matching .341
Area and Scale Coverage .343
Data Problems .344
Data Issues .348
Glossary .351
Index.361