So what is GIS? What can they do? To give you some idea, consider an example in natural resources management.  Assume that you have been given the following tasks for a particular region (ie. local government area, state, country, etc.):

Quite a task, eh?  The more you think about it, the more complex it becomes.  Just imagine what you may need: lots (I mean lots!) of data, access to a range of departments and agencies, various software and hardware, many personnel, etc.  Well...it can be done - you guessed it - using GIS!

What is a Geographic Information System?

An information system applied to geographic data.

System:

A group of connected entities and activities which interact 
for a common purpose.

For a GIS, the "connected" refers to geography, and the "common
purpose" is managing or planning or decision-making.


Information system attributes (which also apply to GIS):
 

• decision-oriented reporting
• effective processing of data
• effective management of data
• adequate flexibility
• a satisfying user environment

How do we formally define a GIS? No one definition exists since there are many different contexts in which GIS exists. A definition of GIS can be seen from a number of points of view.

The definition that we will use in this course takes into account the various components necessary for the successful establishment of any GIS:

• technology (hardware and software)
• people
• data

Geographic Information System:

"An organised collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyse, and display all forms of geographically referenced data."

Other terms for GIS

The advantages of GIS are many and relate to the fact that GIS is an integrating technology - one that brings together many different applications, data and users.  One word that can be used to describe the benefit of GIS is synergy.  In particular, the following can be sited as advantages of GIS:

• Integrates spatial and other (aspatial) data across a diverse range of applications
• Identifies connections between activities based on geographic proximity
• Manipulate and display geographic knowledge
• Provides access to administrative records
• A tool for enhancing decision making
• Increases ability to model science and management problems
• A catalyst to further development

The applications of GIS technology can be categorised into four broad areas:

Natural resources wildlife habitat wild and scenic rivers recreation resources floodplains wetlands agricultural lands aquifers forests minerals and exploration oil and gas	Land parcel-based zoning - urban and regional subdivision planning and review environmental impact assessment water quality management maintenance of land ownership land valuation and taxation town planning schemes
Infrastructure transport route planning street address matching location analysis, site selection disaster planning and evacuation usage and planning of roads, sewer and water reticulation, drainage, telephone lines, gas and electricity, etc..	Socio-economic population distribution and forecasting demographic marketing and analysis monitoring of patient health epidemiology police crime statistics and monitoring census information public services and access

Week 2