Introducing GIS and

Remote Sensing
Introduction to Mapping and GIS
Rowan University

Think about all the activity occurring though out a landscape.
How can we map, manage and analyze all that is going on? GIS!
US Census Data in Excel
Think about keeping information about phenomenon on a landscape.
How could you do it?
US Census Data in GIS
GIS organizes that data with a map.
But GIS is much more.
Data Types
Aspatial datadata not tied to a location on
the earths surface
Spatial datadata associated with a location on
earth

Much of the information we deal with daily has
some spatial component.
What is GIS?
1. Data Management
Manages various kinds of GIS data including vector,
raster, images, tables, other data files
Data models and architectures
Conversion between formats
Import/export utilities
Interacts with RDBMS (SQL Server, Oracle, etc)
What is GIS?
2. Analysis
Spatially aware data
Attribute and spatial query
Proximity and Overlay
Advanced geoprocessing techniques
Decision support
Flexible, customization
Programming, scripting (to perform analysis)
What is GIS?
3. Visualization
Maps! Maps! Maps!
If a picture is worth a 1000 words
Professional cartographic tool
Charts, graphs, tables, etc
Various coordinate systems
2D and 3D
Web, desktop, handheld, etc
What is GIS?
Data Management Database View

Analysis Model View

Visualization Map View
G vs. IS
GIS uses maps to spatially analyze and search for
patterns in the data that would otherwise not be found.
(Content)

GIS stores, manipulates, and displays data files and
relationships in a information system using standard
computing practices. (IT)

With advances in technology, GIS users must now
deal with both aspects!
The G
G = Geographic
Denotes the concept of spatial location on
Earths surface
Importance of relative location (not just where
you are but where you are in relation to
everything else)
Theories and techniques in Geography form
the basis of GIS
The I
I = Information
Substance (knowledge) about location
Factual and interpretative
Tables + Maps + Analysis
Transformation of table information into spatial
context for analysis
Technology and computer systems
What About the S in GIS?
Systems
Science
Studies
Services
Geospatial?
Geographic + GIS = Geospatial

Move in recent years to better define the industry
and to focus on data and procedures (business) over
geographic principles (academic)

Geospatial includes all subcomponents of GIS
embedded in other areas (remote sensing, GPS etc.)
Not Just Computer Cartography
Core of GIS = Layers
Importance of Layers in GIS
Geographic data =
Representation of reality
Reality is complex.
GIS utilizes a layer approach
Each layer only includes
information about one type of
phenomenon.
Data layers must be aligned
with one another
Importance of Layers
Proximity
Finding what is near or within a distance from a
certain location or feature
e.g., all houses within 100 yards of a stream
Overlay
Combining two layers to create new information
e.g., habitat based on veg, elevation, and temp
Families of GIS Data
Vector mode or coordinate based
Three vector objects existpoints, lines, polygons; these
are called features.
They are represented by X,Y coordinates
sometimes Z (3D), sometimes M (linear reference)
Information about features is (are) called attributes.
Two types of vector modelstopological and object
Topological means the data models stores relationships
between vectors
Vector objects exist independent of any other nearby
features
Families of GIS Data
Raster mode or grid cell
Entire study area is covered by a grid
Each cell within grid is given a value
Values can be integer or decimal
Data can be discrete or continuous
Cell size is variable and linked to the file size of the
raster data
Areas outside of the grid are ignored
Grid must be expanded if those areas are to be
included
Modeling Geospatial Reality
Real World
Vector Model
Raster Model
Coding Vector GIS
Reality Vector Mode Model of Reality
Coding Vector GIS
Polygon
I
Polygon
II
Polygon
III
Polygon
V
Polygon
IV
node
A
node
B
node
C
node
E
node
F
node
G
node
D
Reality Vector Mode Model of Reality
Coding Raster GIS Data
Reality Raster Mode Model of Reality
Coding Raster GIS Data
1 1 1 1 2 3 4 4
1 1 1 2 2 3 4 4
1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4
2 2 2 3 3 4 4 4
3 3 3 3 5 5 5 5
1 1 1 1 6 5 5 5
1 1 1 1 1 5 5 5
1 1 1 1 1 1 5 5
Reality Raster Mode Model of Reality
Advantages of Vector
Vector data make maps that look more like maps
we are use to seeing on paper.
The shapes of features are accurately
represented.
Vector data can have topology
Vector data is good for managing attributes
Vector data has smaller storage requirement
Only the objects need to be represented in the
database (empty space in-between is not captured)
Disadvantages of Vector
Complicated data structure
Software must manage many data tables
Not good at representing geographic features
that gradually change over location
For example elevation or moisture in soil
Slower processing time
Advantages of Raster
Good at depicting continuously changing
surfaces such as elevation or soil moisture
Grid format is simple data structure
Easier for computer to make analytical
calculations
Ideal for utilizing remote sensing images

Disadvantages of Raster
Maps can be blocky looking (depending on
the size of the grid cells)
Cells can only be coded for one attribute
when there may be more than one
attribute at each location
Can have very large datasets (depending on
the size of the grid cell)
Not topological: adjacency data structure
Remote Sensing
Remotely-Sensed data is one of the most important
sources of data for GIS.

RS means - Acquiring data from a distance
Usually uses electromagnetic energy
sunlight, radar, laser
Originally captured on photographic film
Recent platforms utilize digital sensors
Early Remote Sensing Platforms
What kinds of devices collect the data?
Aircraft
High altitude
Low altitude

Spacecraft:
Landsat
SPOT
Weather satellites
GeoEye-1
Geosynchronous Orbit
when the satellite moves at
the same speed as the
spinning earth results in the
camera staying over the same
spot of the earth
Aircraft Images
Black and White
or
Panchromatic


Sensitive to visible
light
Digital Orthographic Photos
Digital photos of the earth
Usually acquired by aircraft
Orthographic means that the photo has all distortion
removed
A regular photo from an airplane will have distortion due to:
Parallax effect that distance away from the center point of a photo
will always have distortion
Terrain the hills and valleys or a land area will cause distortion in the
photo
An orthographic photo is adjusted by computer software to
make the image line up with a flat map

You are here
Digital Orthographic Photo - Infrared - 1995
Why Infrared?
Artificial Turf
Remote Sensing Mediums
Black and White or Panchromatic
Sensitive to visible light

True Color
Similar to color film

Infrared
Sensitive to infrared frequencies that cant be seen by humans
Developed by military for identifying tanks painted with camouflage
Good for evaluating conditions of vegetation
Good for evaluating moisture in soil

False-color adjusted
When frequencies of received data are shifted to allow or enhanced human viewing

Multi spectral
When more than a single band of energy is captured
Color is multi-spectral (3 bands)
Some satellites can have 7 or even more bands of sensitivity
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
The Visible Spectrum
The visible spectrum is only
a tiny window

We are blind to 99.99% of
the energy in the universe

We have created devices
that allow us to see beyond
the range of human vision
Satellite Images
Weather satellite
image: Winter in
North America.
What are the spatial units for which data
are collected?
Pixel or Picture Element
Smallest unit of data collection
Features smaller than the pixel size cant be distinguished

Pixel Sizes
Landsat MSS = 79 meters
Landsat TM = 30 meters
SPOT = 10 meters
IKONOS = 1 meter
GeoEye-1 = 0.41 meters



Spatial
resolution
keeps
getting
better...
GeoEye-1
1, 3, and
10 meters
Spatial resolution keeps getting better...
Temporal Resolution
Remote sensing images begin to get old as soon
as they are taken.
Satellites repeatedly circle the earth.
Airplanes must be commissioned every time they
photograph (expensive).
NJ aerial photography was taken 1995, 2002, and
2007. Statewide aerials often have to be taken in
multiple years. (95/97) (07/08)
Turnaround is improving: NearMaps 2cm imagery
of Brisbane floods released within 1 week.
What is GIS?
Now that weve learned the essential elements
that make up a GIS

and have seen examples of how GIS is being
used

lets take a look at the big picture.
GIS Is Evolving
Projects
Systems Networks
Integrated Coordinated

Cooperative

Moving to the Internet and Web Services
How is GIS used?
Sometimes, the best way to learn about GIS is to
see how its being used..
Science
Emergency management
Government record-keeping
Business location
Environmental management
Planning
Crime mapping



Creating a Digital Earth
. . . A Nervous System for Spaceship Earth
Measuring
and Integrating
Spatial and Thematic
Information
Violence in Darfur
Image shows 2004 &
2006.
Area too large and
dangerous for small
peacekeeping force.
Violence tracked using
satellite images.
Article.
California Wildfires
LA Times and local
residents are mapping
the spread of major
wildfires.
Using web-based GIS to
present and catalog
data.
Article.
GeoCommons
GeoCommons is a "mashup" maker
Upload your data excel or GIS and have it
mapped
Find data others have shared
Make maps, then export to Google Earth

Response to Haitian Earthquake
Users of OpenStreetMap volunteered time to
update the map around Port-au-Prince.
CrisisCamp volunteers are adding features such
as camps, collapsed buildings & recovery efforts.
How volunteers are using GIS to help in Haiti.