Geospatial Technologies

Transcription

1 An Overview of Prepared by: John McGee Jennifer McKee With support from: NSF DUE in partnership with: Geospatial Technician Education Through Virginia s Community Colleges (GTEVCC) What is Geospatial? Geospatial is a term that is commonly associated with spatial (mapping) tools and techniques that are used to support decision making. These spatial tools often include: -Global Positioning Systems (GPS) -Geographic Information Systems (GIS) -Remote Sensing What is Geospatial? YOU already use or are impacted by geospatial products and services almost everyday whether you realize it or not July 24 th 30 th, 2010 Geospatial Overview Page 1

2 GPS It is the easiest of the geospatial tools to understand Plenty of recreational uses Used U d primarily il as a data collection tool or tracking tool Geographic Information System (GIS) GIS is a software tool that enables users to integrate different data layers from a variety of sources. While GIS is often associated with a mapping program, it is actually much more powerful than that. GIS is a data analysis tool. Layers form the building blocks of a GIS Elevation + Aspect Soil Types Demographics Pests + Disease Access to market Irrigation Economic Weather + Climate July 24 th 30 th, 2010 Geospatial Overview Page 2

3 Data layers are customized to fit application needs Elevation + Aspect Soil Types Pests + Disease Access to market Irrigation Weather + Climate GIS is often used to generate what if scenarios What would be the impact of a 50 year or 100 year flood? Schools Homes Roads Because GIS uses LOCATION as an essential component, it enables people to integrate databases that normally have nothing to do with each other Schools Pedophiles July 24 th 30 th, 2010 Geospatial Overview Page 3

4 VCCS Geospatial Institute Hampton Roads Area Pedophile Proxity to Schools Inset 1 Legend Sex Offenders K-12 Schools 1/4 Mile Buffer around K-12 Schools Census Streets Inset Miles N W E S Feet Inset 1 Inset Feet Aerial Photography NRCS Soils Imagery copyright 2002 Commonwealth of Virginia GIS is an information integration engine USGS Topo Maps FSA CLU s July 24 th 30 th, 2010 Geospatial Overview Page 4

5 Geographic Information System (GIS) Where is the most suitable location for my business given the following criteria? How will this potential ti new business impact the existing infrastructure? What kind of agricultural production is most suitable for a region, given certain factors? Which waterlines are most likely to require repair? Remote Sensing Remote sensing images provide localities with a bird s eye view / regional perspective These images add important t contextual t information In addition, these images also serve as a foundation to develop new GIS data layers. Remote Sensing Using remote sensing, we are able to collect information that is often not discernable to the unaided eye at a relatively low cost July 24 th 30 th, 2010 Geospatial Overview Page 5

6 Precision Agriculture Vegetation Density Remote sensing Can detect vegetation stress that we can not see with our naked eyes! Water Deficit Often, by the time we can see the problem, it is too late... Crop Stress From Wikipedia.com Imagery 2002 Commonwealth of Virginia Geospatial Tools Geographic Information Systems Global Positioning Systems Planning, Resource Management, Economic Development, etc. Remote Sensing July 24 th 30 th, 2010 Geospatial Overview Page 6

7 Geospatial applications are changing the way that decisions are being made GIS software can bring all of this information together Maps provide a visual product of all of this information... Not all GIS uses are related to bugs and bunnies July 24 th 30 th, 2010 Geospatial Overview Page 7

8 THE GHOST MAP Bad Map July 24 th 30 th, 2010 Geospatial Overview Page 8

9 Interesting Map National Map Accuracy Standards Additional Information July 24 th 30 th, 2010 Geospatial Overview Page 9