GISAnalysisFunctions(part1)-SantaMonicaCollege.docVIP

GIS Analysis Functions Vicki Drake Earth Science Department Santa Monica College GIS Analysis Functions GIS is distinguished from other Information Systems due to its spatial analysis functions Spatial analysis functions are used to answer questions about the real world using GIS databases as a model of the real world GIS Analysis Functions In order to make the most use of the information provided, the right questions must be asked GIS Analysis Functions Questions Categories: What are the data? What are the patterns in the data? What changes are possible in the data? Functions Categories: Storage and retrieval of data – Constrained query – modeling reality Answers Categories: Presentation of current data – Finding new pattern in data – Predicting new information from data GIS Analysis Functions By defining the most important answers needed, appropriate questions and analysis methods can be created Knowing how to combine functions in a GIS system can help produce an intelligent use of the available data An unfortunate side effect of the computer generation, is the ability to produce worthless information (and very poor maps) at a rapid rate! GIS Analysis Functions Spatial analysis techniques are an attempt to create an understandable image of reality. In Basic Spatial Analysis, data may be analyzed at various levels. Sorting data in attribute tables for presentation Arithmetic, Boolean and statistical operations may be performed on attribute tables New data may be compiled based on original and derived attributes or based on geographical relationships Within each level, the operations used may be logical, arithmetic, geometric, statistical or a combination of any of these four types GIS Analysis Functions – Basic Spatial Analysis Logic Operations – logical searches in databases normally use set algebra or Boolean algebra Set Algebra – three operators: equal to, greater than, less than and combinations The practical applications of these include: Identifying att