Skills and Knowledge for Data-Intensive Environmental Research

Stephanie E Hampton1, Matthew B Jones1, Leah A Wasser1

  • 1Stephanie E. Hampton (s.hampton@wsu.edu) is affiliated with the Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach at Washington State University, in Pullman. Matthew B. Jones is affiliated with the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Leah A. Wasser is affiliated with EarthLab at the University of Colorado, in Boulder. Mark P. Schildhauer is with the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Sarah R. Supp is affiliated with the University of Maine's School of Biology and Ecology, in Orono. Julien Brun is with the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Rebecca R. Hernandez is affiliated with the Land, Air, and Water Resources Department at the University of California, Davis; with the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California, Berkeley; and with the Climate and Carbon Science Program at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, in Berkeley, California. Carl Boettiger is affiliated with the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at the University of California, Berkeley. Scott L. Collins is with the Department of Biology at the University of New Mexico, in Albuquerque. Louis J. Gross is affiliated with the Departments of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Mathematics at the University of Tennessee, in Knoxville. Denny S. Fernández is with the Department of Biology at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao. Amber Budden is affiliated with DataONE at the University of New Mexico, in Albuquerque. Ethan P. White is with the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and The Informatics Institute at the University of Florida, in Gainesville. Tracy K. Teal is affiliated with Data Carpentry, in Davis, California. Stephanie G. Labou is with the Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach, at Washington State University, in Pullman. Juliann E. Aukema is affiliated with the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Bioscience
|June 7, 2017
PubMed

Related Concept Videos

Selected Data About Geographic Locations01:25

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...
287
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
1.3K
Manipulation and Analysis01:21

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...
309
Levels of Use of a GIS01:29

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...
416
GIS Software, Hardware, and Sources of GIS Data01:23

GIS Software, Hardware, and Sources of GIS Data

A Geographic Information System (GIS) combines specialized software and hardware to effectively manage, analyze, and present spatial and related data. GIS software includes critical functionalities such as a user interface for easy navigation, database management tools for handling spatial and attribute data, and data retrieval features for efficient access. Analytical tools transform raw data into insights, while display functions produce maps and reports in various formats for effective...
895
Applications of GIS: Disaster Management and Emergency Response01:29

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...
588