Concepts and Techniques of Geographic Information Systems

For Geographic Information Systems courses held in departments of Geography or Anthropology.

Fully updated to reflect advances in GIS concepts and techniques, this text approaches the subject from the broader context of information technology. Complete, up-to-date coverage is given to the concepts and techniques pertaining to every stage of the systems development life cycle of GIS, as well as its applications to various areas of spatial problem solving and decision making. Emphasizes GIS and mainstream IT integration. Explores new spatial analysis techniques/landscape metrics. Expands discussion of geovisualization. Examines new terrain data acquisition by LiDAR. Covers emerging technology in mobile computing and location-based services.

Features

Coverage of topics that are often not adequately covered in other GIS texts Includes the principles and practice of information resource management, information system development methodology, spatial database modelling and design and more.

Emphasis on spatial modelling and modelling with examples of application Shows students how to correctly use GIS to solve problems.
Full discussion on data quality and data standard.

Detailed and up-to-date references.

Two useful appendices Includes Internet Resources and a GIS glossary.

A Summary in every chapter.

Numerous figures and diagrams.

Table of Content

1. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
2. Maps and Geospatial Data
3. Digital Representation and Organization of Geospatial Data
4. Geospatial Data Quality and Standards
5. Raster Geoprocessing
6. Vector Geoprocessing
7. Geovisualization and Geospatial Information Products
8. Remote Sensing and GIS Integration
9. Digital Terrain Modeling
10. Spatial Data Analysis, Modeling and Mining
11. GIS Implementation and Project Management
12. GIS Issues and Prospects
Appendix A: Internet Resources for GIS
Appendix B: Glossary of GIS Terms
Index