GIS and LayersGIS and Layers

Developed by Oklahoma 4-HDeveloped by Oklahoma 4-H

Beginnings of GISBeginnings of GIS

Began in the 1960sBegan in the 1960s

Use was mainly in the public sectorUse was mainly in the public sector

Has roots in cartography and mappingHas roots in cartography and mapping

Major influence on geography in the 1980s Major influence on geography in the 1980s and 1990sand 1990s

Definition of GISDefinition of GIS

GGeographic eographic IInformation nformation SSystemystem

• ESRI defines GIS as: A collection of ESRI defines GIS as: A collection of computer hardware, software, and computer hardware, software, and geographic data for capturing, geographic data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced forms of geographically referenced information. information.

LayersLayers

Layers are a “slice of the geographic Layers are a “slice of the geographic reality in a particular area” (ESRI)reality in a particular area” (ESRI)

They are similar to a map legendThey are similar to a map legend

Layers may describe physical, Layers may describe physical, biological, cultural, demographic, biological, cultural, demographic, scale, etc. characteristicsscale, etc. characteristics

For Example:For Example:• We have three maps (or layers) with We have three maps (or layers) with

yearly rainfall, tree species, and soil yearly rainfall, tree species, and soil type for a specific area.type for a specific area.

• By overlaying these maps, we could By overlaying these maps, we could determine if the amount of yearly determine if the amount of yearly rainfall has an effect on the type of tree rainfall has an effect on the type of tree that grows in certain soils.that grows in certain soils.

Essentially GIS uses different layers to Essentially GIS uses different layers to show the relationships between data. show the relationships between data.

Soil Type

Tree Species

Yearly Rainfall

ESRI example of GIS map and its ESRI example of GIS map and its layerslayers

Components of GISComponents of GIS

HardwareHardware• ComputerComputer

SoftwareSoftware• Computer programComputer program

DataData• Collected, bought, or freeCollected, bought, or free

Uses of DataUses of Data

Find features or patternsFind features or patterns Quantities and density mapsQuantities and density maps Changes in a specific areaChanges in a specific area Anticipating a change (natural Anticipating a change (natural

disaster preparedness)disaster preparedness) Deciding or evaluating a course of Deciding or evaluating a course of

actionaction

How is it used?How is it used?

Tracking the spread of diseaseTracking the spread of disease Mapping soil moistureMapping soil moisture Trends in an evolving stormTrends in an evolving storm Mapping Storm Water systemsMapping Storm Water systems Public road inventoryPublic road inventory Precision AgriculturePrecision Agriculture

Tracking the spread of the West Tracking the spread of the West Nile virus from ESRI Map Book vol. Nile virus from ESRI Map Book vol.

1919

Track of 2004 Hurricanes in Florida Track of 2004 Hurricanes in Florida and Wind Speed, ESRI Map Book and Wind Speed, ESRI Map Book

Vol. 21 Vol. 21

Mapping soil moisture from ESRI Mapping soil moisture from ESRI Map Book Vol. 21Map Book Vol. 21

Wastewater collection system from Wastewater collection system from ESRI Map Book Vol. 21ESRI Map Book Vol. 21

Predicting traffic problems from Predicting traffic problems from ESRI Map Book Vol. 16ESRI Map Book Vol. 16

Precision Agriculture from ESRI Precision Agriculture from ESRI Map Book Vol. 20Map Book Vol. 20

Maturity Map Protein Map Detailed Map

Maps are for Brown RiceRed is High; Purple is Low

What are otherWhat are other

uses you canuses you can

think of?think of?

Link to ESRI map books for real life Link to ESRI map books for real life GIS maps:GIS maps:

http://www.esri.com/industries/plannihttp://www.esri.com/industries/planning/success_stories/map_book.htmlng/success_stories/map_book.html

ActivityActivity

If given the following layers, what If given the following layers, what inferences or assumptions can you inferences or assumptions can you make from them?make from them?• Map of the U.S. with state capitalsMap of the U.S. with state capitals• Map of the population densityMap of the population density• Map of interstate highwaysMap of interstate highways• Map of rivers in the U.S.Map of rivers in the U.S.• Average farm size in acresAverage farm size in acres

Map of United States and State Map of United States and State CapitalsCapitals

Interstate HighwaysInterstate Highways

Major RiversMajor Rivers

Capitals, Rivers, HighwaysCapitals, Rivers, Highways

Population Density from 2000 Population Density from 2000 CensusCensus

Capitals, Rivers, Highways, Capitals, Rivers, Highways, PopulationPopulation

Oklahoma with Highway, Rivers, Oklahoma with Highway, Rivers, Population DensityPopulation Density

Average Size of Farms in 2002Average Size of Farms in 2002

Farm Size, Capitals, Highways, Farm Size, Capitals, Highways, Rivers Rivers

Oklahoma Farm Size, Highways, Oklahoma Farm Size, Highways, RiversRivers

All maps are from the National Atlas All maps are from the National Atlas website located at:website located at:

www.nationalatlas.comwww.nationalatlas.com

This site allows you to use different This site allows you to use different layers to create maps. layers to create maps.