Geospatial data, which is information about the shapes and locations of geographic features and the relationships between them, is the backbone of any GIS. It is commonly stored as coordinates and includes examples such as digitized road maps, satellite imagery and aerial photographs.

Attribute data is tabular or textual data describing the geographic characteristics of features. This information is used to create a database which provides a means for associating each geographic feature to information about it.

Specialized GIS software allows the user to input, edit, and analyze all of the geospatial and attribute data. Two of the most powerful and commonly used packages are ArcGIS and Mapinfo; both of which are employed by CCE.

The advanced software packages require significant computing resources to drive them.  Therefore, computers with fast processors, extended memory, and large data storage devices are required.  Also, peripherals such as large-format printers, scanners, and digitizers are valuable.

Perhaps the most commonly overlooked component of a successful GIS program is personnel. Without well trained personnel, it is likely that an investment of tens of thousands of dollars on data acquisition, software, and hardware will be underutilized or simply go to waste.

Applications: A GIS has numerous applications in the environmental field including watershed analyses, water quality monitoring, and habitat management and restoration. At the lower end of complexity, a GIS can be used to create a detailed inventory of a particular resource. A more advanced application of GIS would involve the creation of a spatial database of information for the purpose of modeling complex ecological phenomena.

Feel free to visit our Sample Projects page to learn more about GIS projects undertaken by CCE staff.