{"id":200,"date":"2014-06-13T19:41:17","date_gmt":"2014-06-13T19:41:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/geography\/?post_type=back-matter&p=200"},"modified":"2014-08-29T15:02:22","modified_gmt":"2014-08-29T22:02:22","slug":"tools-for-spatial-data-collection-and-utilization","status":"publish","type":"back-matter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/geography\/back-matter\/tools-for-spatial-data-collection-and-utilization\/","title":{"raw":"Tools for Spatial Data Collection and Utilization","rendered":"Tools for Spatial Data Collection and Utilization"},"content":{"raw":"

Geographic Information<\/h1>\r\nGeographic information <\/strong>is the collection of information about places and events that occur on the Earth\u2019s surface. Geographic information science <\/strong>(GIScience)\u00a0is the study of\u00a0organizations and tools associated with the process of collecting and disseminating geographic information.\u00a0GIScience\u00a0research includes topics that relate to\u00a0cartography, remote sensing, photogrammetry, web mapping and spatial data organization.\u00a0Digital data management of spatial information is also associated with GIScience.\r\n\r\nAs we have seen throughout this book, there are a wide range of ways in which GIScience can help solve real-world problems. In this section,\u00a0a range of tools associated with the collection and distribution of spatial data are presented as well as recommendations for further reading.\r\n

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)<\/h2>\r\nGeographic information systems (GIS)<\/strong> are\u00a0systems for input, storage, manipulation, summarizing, editing, querying\u00a0and visualizing\u00a0geographic information. (Read more in Longley, Goodchild, Maguire, & Rhind, 2005).\r\n

Surveying<\/h2>\r\nSurveying<\/strong>\u00a0is\u00a0the science of accurate measurement of natural and humanmade features on the Earth. Data collected by surveyors are\u00a0then used to create highly precise maps. Surveyors calculate the precise position of points, distances and angles through geometry.\r\n

Remote Sensing<\/h2>\r\nRemote sensing<\/strong>\u00a0is the use of satellites orbiting the Earth to capture information of the surface and atmosphere. Satellites vary in spatial and spectral resolution. These signals are then transmitted to receiving stations on Earth where they can be transformed and distributed\u00a0as digital images to be analyzed. Through the use of remote sensing, applying specific calculations to images can help spatial information analyst identify and classify features on a landscape such as changes in snowmelt and identifying the location of seasponges<\/a>[footnote]Modeling the Distribution of Geodia Sponges and Sponge Grounds in the Northwest Atlantic http:\/\/www.plosone.org\/article\/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0082306#pone-0082306-g011<\/a>[\/footnote] without physically setting foot in that region. Remote sensing can be used to sense changes in ground cover, locate the presence of surficial\u00a0minerals and identify the location of different types of vegetation. Both the Government of British Columbia<\/a>[footnote]Examples of how the government of British Columbia uses remote sensing can be found at http:\/\/www.for.gov.bc.ca\/hts\/rs\/<\/a>[\/footnote] and the Government of Canada<\/a>[footnote]Examples of how the government of Canada uses remote sensing can be found at http:\/\/www.nrcan.gc.ca\/forests\/remote-sensing\/13429<\/a>[\/footnote] extensively utilize remote sensing.\r\n

Maps<\/h2>\r\nMaps<\/strong> are mathematical representations of Earth and the Earth's surface. They can be used for geospatial data storage, spatial exploratory functions and as an analytical tool. Maps are a medium for visual communication of geospatial information relationships and depict human perception of the world. They can be used as spatial decision-making tools. For further study on maps, try the map reading skills crash course at http:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Read-a-Map<\/a>\r\n

Cartography<\/h2>\r\nCartography<\/strong> is the design, construction and evaluation of maps. When designed well, maps can be\u00a0powerful communication tools. The practice of cartography may require the knowledge of graphic design, computer science, mathematics, statistics, psychology and, most certainly, geography. The purpose of a map is to reduce the complexity of the real world to communicate a specific idea. A map should be quickly and easily interpreted by the viewer. All maps must include a legend to inform the user what is being represented, a north arrow or compass to orient the user and\u00a0a scale bar to to reveal the dimensions being represented on\u00a0the map.\u00a0Cartographic principles are in place to guide cartographers. (Read more in Slocum, McMaster, Kessler, & Howard, 2009.)\r\n

Geovisualization<\/h2>\r\nGeovisualization<\/strong> is\u00a0the display of geospatial information to be\u00a0explored interactively in an effort to\u00a0facilitate the process of hypothesis\u00a0formation and knowledge construction\u00a0(Dodge, McDerby, & Turner, 2008;\u00a0Dykes, MacEachren, & Kraak, 2005;\u00a0Kraak &\u00a0MacEachren, 2005; MacEachren &\u00a0Kraak, 2001).\u00a0Data exploration is an individual activity in which unknown spatial patterns are revealed in an\u00a0interactive environment (Slocum, McMaster, Kessler, & Howard, 2009). A major difference between static cartography and geovisualization is interaction, and with geovisualizations it is possible that some information may go unnoticed without that interaction. Geovisualizations make it possible to provide\u00a0more than one view (through multimedia, or another map, or tables or graphics). Geovisuazliations allow users to interact with data drawing their own conclusions and making them feel like they have made a new discovery.\r\n\r\nThere are a wide varity of software packages available to create maps and geovisaulziations. A few software packages currently available and widely used are:\r\n