Getting Started with Geographic Information Systems

by Keith C. Clarke

• ISBN13: 9780139238895
• ISBN10: 0139238891
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Appropriate for introductory level courses in Geographic Information Systems. Designed to make the complexity of this rapidly growing high-tech field accessible to beginning students, this text provides a basic, non-technical and student friendly introduction to GIS. The book clearly links theory and practice, and helps link the material to the real world by providing interviews with practicing GIS professionals. It features clear, simple explanations, an abundance of illustrations and photos, extensive chapter-end study aids, and generic laboratory assignments for use with any GIS software.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
1 What Is a GIS?	1	(33)
1.1 Getting Started	1	(1)
1.2 Some Definitions of GIS	2	(5)
1.3 A Brief History of GIS	7	(3)
1.4 Sources of Information on GIS	10	(7)
1.5 Study Guide	17	(3)
1.6 Laboratory Assignments	20	(1)
1.7 References and Bibliography	21	(6)
1.8 Key Terms and Definitions	27	(5)
1.9 People in GIS: Nils Larsen	32	(2)
2 GIS's Roots in Cartography	34	(33)
2.1 Map and Attribute Information	34	(2)
2.2 Map Scale and Projections	36	(9)
2.3 Coordinate Systems	45	(9)
2.4 Geographic Information	54	(3)
2.5 Study Guide	57	(3)
2.6 Laboratory Assignments	60	(2)
2.7 References	62	(1)
2.8 Key Terms and Definitions	62	(5)
3 Maps as Numbers	67	(39)
3.1 Representing Maps as Numbers	67	(5)
3.2 Structuring Attributes	72	(1)
3.3 Structuring Maps	73	(6)
3.4 Why Topology Matters	79	(2)
3.5 Formats for GIS Data	81	(8)
3.6 Exchanging Data	89	(3)
3.7 Study Guide	92	(5)
3.8 Laboratory Assignments	97	(1)
3.9 References	98	(1)
3.10 Key Terms and Definitions	99	(5)
3.11 People in GIS: Mark Bosworth	104	(2)
4 Getting the Map into the Computer	106	(32)
4.1 Analog-to-Digital Maps	106	(1)
4.2 Finding Existing Map Data	107	(5)
4.3 Digitizing and Scanning	112	(8)
4.4 Field and Image Data	120	(3)
4.5 Data Entry	123	(3)
4.6 Editing and Validation	126	(3)
4.7 Study Guide	129	(2)
4.8 Laboratory Assignments	131	(1)
4.9 References	132	(1)
4.10 Key Terms and Definitions	133	(3)
4.11 People in GIS: Susan Benjamin	136	(2)
5 What Is Where?	138	(19)
5.1 Basic Database Management	138	(5)
5.2 Searches by Attribute	143	(2)
5.3 Searches by Geography	145	(4)
5.4 The Query Interface	149	(2)
5.5 Study Guide	151	(2)
5.6 Laboratory Assignments	153	(1)
5.7 References	154	(1)
5.8 Key Terms and Definitions	154	(3)
6 Why Is It There?	157	(32)
6.1 Describing Attributes	157	(2)
6.2 Statistical Analysis	159	(8)
6.3 Spatial Description	167	(5)
6.4 Spatial Analysis	172	(7)
6.5 Searching for Spatial Relationships	179	(2)
6.6 GIS and Spatial Analysis	181	(1)
6.7 Study Guide	182	(3)
6.8 Laboratory Assignments	185	(1)
6.9 References	186	(1)
6.10 Key Terms and Definitions	186	(3)
7 Making Maps with GIS	189	(17)
7.1 The Parts of a Map	189	(3)
7.2 Choosing a Map Type	192	(4)
7.3 Designing the Map	196	(3)
7.4 Study Guide	199	(2)
7.5 Laboratory Assignments	201	(1)
7.6 References	202	(1)
7.7 Key Terms and Definitions	202	(4)
8 How to Pick a GIS	206	(34)
8.1 The Evolution of GIS Software	206	(3)
8.2 GIS and Operating Systems	209	(1)
8.3 GIS Software Capabilities	210	(9)
8.4 GIS Software and Data Structures	219	(1)
8.5 Choosing the Best GIS	220	(9)
8.6 Study Guide	229	(3)
8.7 Laboratory Assignments	232	(1)
8.8 References	233	(1)
8.9 Key Terms and Definitions	234	(4)
8.10 People in GIS: Assaf Anyamba	238	(2)
9 GIS in Action	240	(25)
9.1 Introducing GIS in Action	240	(1)
9.2 Case Study 1: GIS Fights the Gypsy Moth	241	(4)
9.3 Case Study 2: GIS vs. Lyme Disease	245	(5)
9.4 Case Study 3: GIS Helps Environmental Assessment in Brooklyn	250	(5)
9.5 Case Study 4: The Channel Islands GIS	255	(4)
9.6 Study Guide	259	(3)
9.7 Laboratory Assignments	262	(1)
9.8 References	262	(1)
9.9 Key Terms and Definitions	263	(2)
10 The Future of GIS	265	(39)
10.1 Why Speculate?	265	(1)
10.2 Future Data	266	(8)
10.3 Future Hardware	274	(4)
10.4 Future Software	278	(8)
10.5 Some Future Issues and Problems	286	(4)
10.6 Conclusion	290	(3)
10.7 Study Guide	293	(2)
10.8 Laboratory Assignments	295	(1)
10.9 References	296	(1)
10.10 Key Terms and Definitions	297	(5)
10.11 People in GIS: Michael Goodchild	302	(2)
Glossary	304	(29)
Index	333