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Selected Data About Geographic Locations

Selected Data About Geographic Locations

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) rely on two core types of data: spatial data and attribute data.Spatial DataSpatial data defines the physical location of features within a coordinate system, typically expressed in terms of latitude and longitude. It provides precise positioning for elements like roads, rivers, or buildings.Attribute DataAttribute data complements spatial data by adding descriptive information about these features. For example, a road's spatial data includes its start and...

Levels of Use of a GIS

Levels of Use of a GIS

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) operate across three levels of application, each representing an increasing degree of complexity: data management, analysis, and prediction. These levels reflect the expanding functionality and versatility of GIS technology in handling spatial data for diverse purposes.Data ManagementAt its foundational level, GIS serves as a tool for data management, enabling the input, storage, retrieval, and organization of spatial data. This level is often employed in...

Manipulation and Analysis

Manipulation and Analysis

GIS manipulation and analysis functions are vital for decision-making and planning. These activities range from data retrieval tasks, such as selecting information based on specific criteria, to advanced analytical techniques that address complex spatial problems.One critical GIS analysis method is overlaying, which combines multiple data layers to examine impacts. For example, overlaying a river-dammed lake boundary with road networks can identify affected infrastructure. Another common...

Thematic Layering in GIS

Thematic Layering in GIS

In the past, planning projects such as schools or public facilities required extensive manual effort to gather and compile data. Information such as property boundaries, soil characteristics, road networks, zoning regulations, and flood zones had to be sourced individually from courthouses, utility providers, and registry offices. Assembling these datasets into a coherent format often took several months, delaying project timelines.The introduction of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)...

Applications of GIS: Disaster Management and Emergency Response

Applications of GIS: Disaster Management and Emergency Response

Geographic Information System (GIS) technology is essential for risk identification, action prioritization, and resource optimization in critical situations like flooding and earthquakes. By integrating spatial and demographic data, GIS provides a comprehensive framework for emergency response.GIS integrates data layers, like rainfall intensity, topography, elevation profiles, and river levels, to model high-risk flood zones. These layers assess areas susceptible to flooding based on their...

Design Example: Alignment of a Road Line Using GIS

Design Example: Alignment of a Road Line Using GIS

The alignment of a road line using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a critical process in civil engineering, combining advanced technology with practical decision-making. This methodology begins with the collection of geospatial data, including information on land cover, geomorphology, drainage patterns, slope, and contour details. Such data is typically acquired through satellite imagery and GIS tools, offering a comprehensive understanding of the terrain.Once the data is gathered, it...

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Related Experiment Video

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Use of Principal Components for Scaling Up Topographic Models to Map Soil Redistribution and Soil Organic Carbon

Use of Principal Components for Scaling Up Topographic Models to Map Soil Redistribution and Soil Organic Carbon

Published on: October 16, 2018

Linking GIS-based models to value ecosystem services in an Alpine region.

Adrienne Grêt-Regamey¹, Peter Bebi, Ian D Bishop

¹Eidgenössiche Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ), ETH Hönggerberg, LEP, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland. gret@nsl.ethz.edu

Journal of Environmental Management

|September 11, 2007

Summary

Valuing ecosystem services in mountain regions like the Alps is crucial for economic stability. This study presents a GIS-based method to assess ecosystem goods and services, aiding sustainable development planning.

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Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Use of Principal Components for Scaling Up Topographic Models to Map Soil Redistribution and Soil Organic Carbon

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Published on: October 16, 2018

Integrating Remote Sensing with Species Distribution Models; Mapping Tamarisk Invasions Using the Software for Assisted Habitat Modeling (SAHM)

Integrating Remote Sensing with Species Distribution Models; Mapping Tamarisk Invasions Using the Software for Assisted Habitat Modeling (SAHM)

Published on: October 11, 2016

Area of Science:

Environmental Economics
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Ecosystem Services Valuation

Background:

Economic planning often overlooks the valuation of public goods and services, particularly in tourism-dependent mountainous regions.
Land-use changes in areas like the Alps can negatively impact vital ecosystem services and regional economies.
A robust method is needed to integrate ecosystem service valuation into planning processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a semi-automatic procedure for valuing ecosystem goods and services using a GIS platform.
To assess the economic impacts of human development and climate change scenarios on key ecosystem services in the Swiss Alps.
To provide decision-makers with a tool for balancing planning options and promoting sustainable development.

Main Methods:

Integration of process-based models with economic valuation techniques within a GIS framework.
Utilized digital elevation models, land-cover maps, and temperature datasets as primary inputs.
Valued four specific ecosystem services: avalanche protection, timber production, scenic beauty, and habitat in the 'Landschaft Davos'.

Main Results:

Urban expansion and tourist development negatively impact scenic beauty and habitats, with long-term economic consequences outweighing benefits.
Climate change-induced forest expansion positively influences avalanche protection and habitat services.
The economic value of non-marketed ecosystem benefits generally exceeds forest maintenance costs.

Conclusions:

The developed GIS-based approach offers a valuable tool for semi-automatic ecosystem service valuation.
It aids in comparing the economic impacts of different planning scenarios, including human development and climate change.
The methodology supports decision-makers in selecting sustainable and economically viable development strategies for mountainous regions.