Now updated and revised, Michael DeMers's Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems, 3E equips you with a set of basic concepts and skills you'll need to solve everyday geographical problems, and perhaps even uncover new uses for this powerful technology. Rather than overwhelming you with details, equations, or computer codes, DeMers interweaves the ideas of geographic inquiry and spatial thinking, inviting you to join in the excitement of discovery as it takes place within the computerized world of the digital GIS databases.
Learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter helps to define concepts and outline the goals that the reader should be accomplishing.
* Review questions at the end of each chapter isolate key material for effective self study.
UNIT
1. INTRODUCTION.
Chapter
1. Introduction to Digital Geography.
Learning Objectives. Why Geographic Information Systems? What Are
Geographic Information Systems? Where Do I Begin? Terms. Review
Questions. References. UNIT
2. DIGITAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA AND MAPS.
Chapter
2. Basic Geographic Concepts. Learning Objectives. Developing
Spatial Awareness. Spatial Measurement Levels. Spatial Location and
Reference. Spatial Patterns. Geographic Data Collection. Populations
and Sampling Schemes. Making Inferences from Samples. Terms. Review
Questions. References.
Chapter
3. Map Basics. Learning Objectives.
Abstract Nature of Maps. A Paradigm Shift in Cartography. Map Scale.
More Map Characteristics. Map Projections. Grid Systems for Mapping.
The Cartographic Process. Map Symbolism. Map Abstraction and Cartographic
Databases. Terms. Review Questions. References.
Chapter
4. GIS Data
Models. Learning Objectives. A Quick Review of the Map as an Abstraction
of Space. Some Basic Computer File Structures. Simple Lists. Ordered
Sequential Files. Indexed Files. Computer Database Structures for
Managing Data. Hierarchical Data Structures. Network Systems.
Relational Database Management Systems. Graphic Representation of Entities
and Attributes. GIS Data Models for Multiple Maps. Raster Models.
Compact Storing of Raster Data. Commercial Raster Compaction Products.
Vector Models. Compacting Vector Data Models. A Vector Model to Represent
Surfaces. Hybrid and Integrated Systems. Terms. Review Questions.
References. UNIT
3. INPUT, STORAGE, AND EDITING.
Chapter
5. The Input
Subsystem. Learning Objectives. Primary Data. Input Devices. Raster,
Vector, or Both. Reference Frameworks and Transformations. Map
Preparation and the Digitizing Process. What to Input. How Much to Input.
Methods of Vector Input. Methods of Raster Input. Remote Sensing as a
Special Case of Raster Data Input. GPS data input. Secondary Data.
Metadata and Metadata Standards. Terms. Review Questions. References.
Chapter 6 Data Storage and Editing. Learning Objectives. Storage of GIS
Databases. The Importance of Editing the GIS Database. Detecting and
Editing Errors of Different Types. Entity Errors: Vector. Attribute
Errors: Raster and Vector. Dealing with Projection Changes. Joining
Adjacent Maps: Edge Matching. Conflations. Templating. Terms. Review
Questions. References. UNIT
4. ANALYSIS: THE HEART OF THE GIS.
Chapter
7. Elementary Spatial Analysis. Introduction to GIS Spatial Analysis.
Learning Objectives. Preliminary Notes About Flowcharting. GIS Data
Query. Locating and Identifying Spatial Objects. Defining Spatial
Characteristics. Point Attributes. Line Attributes. Area Attributes.
Working with Higher-Level Objects. Higher-Level Point Objects.
Higher-Level Line Objects. Higher-Level Area Objects. Terms. Review
Questions. References.
Chapter
8. Measurement. Learning Objectives.
Measuring Length of Linear Objects. Measuring Polygons. Calculating
Polygon Lengths. Calculating Perimeter. Calculating Areas of Polygonal
Features. Measuring Shape. Measuring Sinuosity. Measuring Polygon
Shape. Measuring Distance. Simple Distance. Functional Distance.
Terms. Review Questions. References.
Chapter
9. Classification.
Learning Objectives. Classification Principles. Elements of
Reclassification. Neighborhood Functions. Roving Windows: Filters.
Immediate Neighborhoods. Extended Neighborhoods. Buffers. Terms.
Review Questions. References.
Chapter
10. Statistical Surfaces.
Learning Objectives. What Are Surfaces? Surface Mapping. Sampling the
Statistical Surface. The DEM. Raster Surfaces. Interpolation. Linear
Interpolation. Methods of Nonlinear Interpolation. Problems of
Interpolation. Terrain Reclassification. Steepness of Slope. Azimuth or
Orientation (Aspect). Shape or Form. Visibility and Intervisibility.
Slicing the Statistical Surface. Cut And Fill. Terms. Review Questions.
References.
Chapter 11 Spatial Arrangement. Learning Objectives.
Point, Area, and Line Arrangements. Point Patterns. Quadrat Analysis.
Nearest Neighbor Analysis. Thiessen Polygons. Area Patterns. Distance
and Adjacency. Other Polygonal Arrangement Measures. Linear Patterns.
Line Densities. Nearest Neighbors and Line Intercepts. Directionality of
Linear and Areal Objects. Connectivity of Linear Objects. Gravity Model.
Routing and Allocation. The Missing Variable: Using Other Map Layers.
Terms. Review Questions. References.
Chapter
12. Comparing Variables
Among Maps. Learning Objectives. The Cartographic Overlay.
Point-In-Polygon and Line-In-Polygon Operations. Polygon Overlay.
Automating the Overlay Process. Automating Point-in-Polygon and
Line-in-Polygon Procedures in Raster. Automating Polygon Overlay in Raster.
Automating Vector Overlay. Types of Vector Overlay. CAD-Type Overlay.
Topological Vector Overlay. Topological Vector Point-in-Polygon and
Line-in-Polygon Overlay. A Note about Error in Overlay. Dasymetric
Mapping. Some Final Notes on Overlay. Terms. Review Questions.
References.
Chapter
13. Cartographic Modeling. Learning Objectives.
Model Components. The Cartographic Model. Types Of Cartographic Models.
Inductive and Deductive Modeling. Factor Selection. Model Flowcharting.
Working Through the Model. Conflict Resolution. Some Example Cartographic
Models. Model Implementation. Model Verification. Terms. Review
Questions. References. UNIT
5. GIS OUTPUT.
Chapter
14. The Output from
Analysis. Learning Objectives. Output: The Display of Analysis.
Cartographic Output. The Design Process. Map Design Controls.
Nontraditional Cartographic Output. GIS on the Internet. Noncartographic
Output. Interactive Output. Tables and Charts. Terms. Review
Questions. References. UNIT
6. GIS DESIGN, APPLICATIONS, AND RESEARCH.
Chapter
15. GIS Design. Learning Objectives. Analytical Model and
Database Design. Spatial Processes and the Scope and Structure of the
Model. Establishing the Effective Spatial Domain of the Model. GIS Tools
for Solving Problems. Study Area. Scale, Resolution, and Level of Detail.
Classification. Coordinate System and Projection. Selecting the
Software. Institutional / System Design. System Design Principles.
System Development Waterfall Model. Some General Systems Characteristics.
The Institutional Setting for GIS operations. The System and the Outside
World. Internal Players. External Players. Cost-Benefit Issues. GIS
Information Products. How Information Products Drive the GIS. Organizing
the Local Views. Avoiding Design Creep. View Integration. Terms.
Review Questions. References.
Chapter
16. GIS Applications. Learning
Objectives. Archive Emphasizing Applications. Pattern Detection and
Characterization Emphasizing Applications. Pattern Exploitation Emphasizing
Applications. Pattern Comparison Emphasizing Applications. Space-Time
Emphasizing Applications. Predictive Modeling Applications. Terms.
Review Questions. References.
Chapter
17. GIS Research. Learning
Objectives. Geographic Representation (Including Ontology). Scale.
