What roles does GIS play in scientific research and analysis?

Archive for October 8th, 2009

GIS Maps San Jose State University’s Botany Garnden

In Education, Environmental Science, GIS, Science on October 8, 2009 at 9:31 am

spartan

…from the Spartan Daily…

“For the hummingbirds that dance about the flora, the squirrels that hide their acorns amid the deer grasses and the sunlight that flashes through the expansive branches of white California buckeye trees – the SJSU botany garden has been nature’s secret since the 1980s.

“A collection of 42 families and 91 species of native California plants is almost hidden behind a solid wall of white fence and is closed-off by a holly bush hedge in front of Duncan Hall, said Nishanta Rajakaruna, an assistant professor of biological sciences.

“A GIS map – a geographic information system that integrates hardware, software and data for managing all forms of geographically identified information – is being created to identify all the plants in the botany garden, Rajakaruna said.”

Regression Analysis – An ArcGIS Tutorial

In ESRI, GIS, Statistics on October 8, 2009 at 8:27 am

AS16428“This 9.3/9.3.1 tutorial demonstrates how regression analysis has been implemented in ArcGIS, and explores some of the special considerations you’ll want to think about whenever you use regression with spatial data. The tutorial begins by setting the scenario: Authorities in your community are spending a large portion of public resources responding to 911 emergency calls. Projections indicate population in the area is going to double over the next 10 years. If you can better understand some of the factors contributing to high call volumes now, perhaps you can recommend strategies to help reduce 911 calls in the future.”

Call for Papers: Geoinformatics Forum, 6-9 July 2009, Salzburg, Austria

In Climate Change, Conferences, GIS, SDI, Spatial Analysis on October 8, 2009 at 7:45 am

GI-forumThe Geoinformatics Forum (GI_Forum) focuses on an international audience that shares an interest in Applied Geoinformatics. This Call for Papers aims at researchers who design, develop and apply advanced methods and techniques of Geoinformatics to a broad range of application domains.

GI_Forum solicits contributions on emerging topics and research outcomes related to current Geoinformatics methodology, and especially wishes to attract submissions pertaining to the following topics:

• Advances in Geovisualization and Cartography (in cooperation with InterCarto-InterGIS)
• Spatial Data Infrastructure
• Mobile GIS and Location Based Services
• Digital Terrain Representation and Analysis
• Digital Cities and Urban Sustainability
• Global Change: Monitoring and Modelling
• Vulnerability: Spatial Assessment and Analysis
• Learning with Geoinformation

GI_Forum 2010 gives authors choices about the type of submission they want to make in order to accommodate a variety of interdisciplinary contributions. Submissions are expected in English language according to the formatting guidelines published on the conference website.

Deadline for submission of full papers for oral presentation and publication in the conference proceedings and extended abstracts for discussion sessions is 01 February 2010.

Satellite Images and GIS Aid in Disease Mapping and Surveillance

In GIS, Imagery, Social Science on October 8, 2009 at 7:38 am

“Satellite images and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can provide public health officials with vital information needed to detect and manage certain disease outbreaks. In order to properly plan, manage and monitor any public health system, it is very important to have up to date, relevant information available to decision-makers at all levels throughout all regions of the world.

“Also known as Landscape Epidemiology, which involves the identification of geographical areas where disease is transmitted. By knowing the vegetation and geologic conditions necessary for the maintenance of specific pathogens in nature, one can use the landscape to identify the spatial and temporal distribution of disease risk. Key environmental elements, including elevation, temperature, rainfall, and humidity, influence the presence, development, activity, and longevity of pathogens, vectors, zoonotic reservoirs of infection, and their interactions with humans.”

[Source: Satellite Imaging Corporation]

Getting to the Bottom of Chesapeake Bay

In Environmental Science, GIS, Science on October 8, 2009 at 7:32 am

…from the Chesapeake Bay Journal…

“On board the Bay Hydro II and other survey vessels, though, crew members are focused on raw data. They specialize in technology, not biology-armed with specialized knowledge of computer systems, GIS and spatial analysis.

“”The technology has really matured, but there’s a lot more out there,” Davidson said. “This field is always pushing the envelope.”"

Maps Link Clean Water, Sanitation, and Poverty for Uganda’s Development

In Environmental Science, GIS, Geography, Social Science, Spatial Analysis on October 8, 2009 at 7:30 am

…fromt eh World Resources Institute…

“A new set of maps illustrating levels of clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, and poverty in Uganda will help guide national development planning.

“Limited access to clean water and sanitation threatens not only the health of Ugandans but also their education opportunities,” said Disan Ssozi, assistant commissioner at Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment, co-author of Mapping a Healthier Future: How Spatial Analysis Can Guide Pro-Poor Water and Sanitation Planning in Uganda – a new report released today in Kampala.  “The maps and data in this report will help inform Uganda’s water infrastructure planners and protect the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.”

“In 2004, Uganda’s central government set national targets to increase access to clean water and sanitation to 100 percent in urban areas and 77 percent in rural districts by 2015.

“So far, Uganda’s investment plans, which are expected to cost approximately US $1.4 billion, have helped improve drinking water coverage in rural sub-counties, from 25 percent in the early 1990s to 65 percent in 2009.  However, work remains to be done to ensure that all areas meet national targets.”

Quote of the Day

In Quotes, Science on October 8, 2009 at 7:01 am

“I now see scientific accomplishments as a path, not an end; a path leading to and disappearing in mystery.”

–Charles Lindbergh, 1969

Invasive Autumn Olive Species Studied with GIS

In ESRI, Environmental Science, GIS, Spatial Analysis on October 8, 2009 at 7:00 am

header-nac09A STUDY OF ELAEAGANS UMBELLATA DISPERSAL BASED ON THE AGES AND RELATIVE LOCATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS IN A STAND

Mame Redwood, Derek Evans , Chris Evans, David J. Gibson.

Presented at the 36th Natural Areas Conference, “Living on the Edge: Why Natural Areas Matter”, Vancouver, Washington, USA, September 15-18, 2009.

This study examines the spread of the invasive species Elaeagans umbellata (Autumn Olive) based on the ages and relative locations of 76 individuals in a 2.95 hectacre stand. All individuals of E. umbellata in the stand were mapped using GPS in a 20 meter grid with locations subsequently mapped using ESRI ArcGIS. The locations of younger individuals were compared to locations of older individuals to examine dispersal routes and test the null hypotheses that age was homogenous across the stand. The age and diameter of each individual was recorded to allow investigation of the age-to-diameter ratio. Analysis of the ages and diameters showed no consistent age: diameter ratio. Analysis of the relative ages of nearest neighbors indicated a non-random age-class structure (χdf=9 = 56.38, p < 0.0001). Individuals aged 1-4 years most often had 5-9 year old neighbors. Individuals aged 5-9 most often had neighbors of the same age. Individuals aged 10-14 most often had neighbors aged 15+, and individuals aged 15+ most often had neighbors aged 9-14. A map presenting the ages and relative locations of individuals showed a cluster of older individuals which appear to be the founder plants during colonization of the stand.

Video: Layers of Our World

In ESRI, GIS, Geography, Imagery on October 8, 2009 at 7:00 am

In this salute to GIS Day ESRI uses ArcGlobe 3D Analyst and ArcMap to provide multiple perspectives of Earth. Special thanks to Digital Globe and EarthSat for their images used in this video.

Map of the Day: Statistical Areas of the United States and Puerto Rico, November 2007

In ESRI, GIS, Geography, Social Science on October 8, 2009 at 6:59 am

…from the ESRI Map Book, Volume 24…

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“The Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas of the United States and Puerto Rico wall map (left) shows metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (also known as core-based statistical areas), shows metropolitan divisions, and identifies their component counties. The Combined Statistical Areas of the United States and Puerto Rico wall map (right) shows combined statistical areas and identifies their component metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. The printed map measures 55.5-by-36 inches. The boundaries and titles depicted on this map reflect the definitions issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in November 2007. The area definitions are based on the application of the 2000 Standards for Defining Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas to Census Bureau population estimates for incorporated places and selected minor civil divisions for 2005 and 2006, and in specified circumstances, local opinion.

“Courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau, Geography Division.”