Computer Applications in Geography


Book Description

Computer Applications in Geography Paul M. Mather Department of Geography, University of Nottingham, England Geography graduates are expected to be computer literate, yet the literature on computing is often inaccessible to them. This book is intended for undergraduate students of geography who wish to familiarise themselves with the terminology of computers and to read about the ways in which computers are presently being used in geography. It assumes no prior knowledge of computers and no mathematical skills beyond those possessed by the average layman. The first two chapters form a technical introduction to computers and data. The remaining five chapters are devoted to individual topics representing a selection of the main areas of computer use in geography and show how computers can be used to acquire, process and display geographical data. Worked examples, with example data sets, are given for three program packages that are widely used by geographers--SPSS, SYMAP and GIMMS. The book is comprehensive in its coverage of the major areas of computer applications and will be of interest to geographers dealing with statistics, digital cartography, remote sensing, geographical information systems and simulation models.




Computers in Geography


Book Description

Maguire (geography, U. of Leicester) explains how geographers can enhance their work by using computers. Assumes little knowledge of computers. Begins with an overview of computers in the field, then continues with coverage of how they can be used in each of the major stages of the process of geographical explanation, covering data collection, storage, management, analysis, and presentation. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR




Computing in Geographic Information Systems


Book Description

Capable of acquiring large volumes of data through sensors deployed in air, land, and sea, and making this information readily available in a continuous time frame, the science of geographical information system (GIS) is rapidly evolving. This popular information system is emerging as a platform for scientific visualization, simulation, and computation of spatio-temporal data. New computing techniques are being researched and implemented to match the increasing capability of modern-day computing platforms and easy availability of spatio-temporal data. This has led to the need for the design, analysis, development, and optimization of new algorithms for extracting spatio-temporal patterns from a large volume of spatial data. Computing in Geographic Information Systems considers the computational aspects, and helps students understand the mathematical principles of GIS. It provides a deeper understanding of the algorithms and mathematical methods inherent in the process of designing and developing GIS functions. It examines the associated scientific computations along with the applications of computational geometry, differential geometry, and affine geometry in processing spatial data. It also covers the mathematical aspects of geodesy, cartography, map projection, spatial interpolation, spatial statistics, and coordinate transformation. The book discusses the principles of bathymetry and generation of electronic navigation charts. The book consists of 12 chapters. Chapters one through four delve into the modeling and preprocessing of spatial data and prepares the spatial data as input to the GIS system. Chapters five through eight describe the various techniques of computing the spatial data using different geometric and statically techniques. Chapters nine through eleven define the technique for image registration computation and measurements of spatial objects and phenomenon. Examines cartographic modeling and map projection Covers the mathematical aspects of different map projections Explores some of the spatial analysis techniques and applications of GIS Introduces the bathymetric principles and systems generated using bathymetric charts Explains concepts of differential geometry, affine geometry, and computational geometry Discusses popular analysis and measurement methods used in GIS This text outlines the key concepts encompassing GIS and spatio-temporal information, and is intended for students, researchers, and professionals engaged in analysis, visualization, and estimation of spatio-temporal events.




Spatial Computing


Book Description

An accessible guide to the ideas and technologies underlying such applications as GPS, Google Maps, Pokémon Go, ride-sharing, driverless cars, and drone surveillance. Billions of people around the globe use various applications of spatial computing daily—by using a ride-sharing app, GPS, the e911 system, social media check-ins, even Pokémon Go. Scientists and researchers use spatial computing to track diseases, map the bottom of the oceans, chart the behavior of endangered species, and create election maps in real time. Drones and driverless cars use a variety of spatial computing technologies. Spatial computing works by understanding the physical world, knowing and communicating our relation to places in that world, and navigating through those places. It has changed our lives and infrastructures profoundly, marking a significant shift in how we make our way in the world. This volume in the MIT Essential Knowledge series explains the technologies and ideas behind spatial computing. The book offers accessible descriptions of GPS and location-based services, including the use of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and RFID for position determination out of satellite range; remote sensing, which uses satellite and aerial platforms to monitor such varied phenomena as global food production, the effects of climate change, and subsurface natural resources on other planets; geographic information systems (GIS), which store, analyze, and visualize spatial data; spatial databases, which store multiple forms of spatial data; and spatial statistics and spatial data science, used to analyze location-related data.




Comprehensive Geographic Information Systems


Book Description

Geographical Information Systems, Three Volume Set is a computer system used to capture, store, analyze and display information related to positions on the Earth’s surface. It has the ability to show multiple types of information on multiple geographical locations in a single map, enabling users to assess patterns and relationships between different information points, a crucial component for multiple aspects of modern life and industry. This 3-volumes reference provides an up-to date account of this growing discipline through in-depth reviews authored by leading experts in the field. VOLUME EDITORS Thomas J. Cova The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States Ming-Hsiang Tsou San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States Georg Bareth University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany Chunqiao Song University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States Yan Song University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States Kai Cao National University of Singapore, Singapore Elisabete A. Silva University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom Covers a rapidly expanding discipline, providing readers with a detailed overview of all aspects of geographic information systems, principles and applications Emphasizes the practical, socioeconomic applications of GIS Provides readers with a reliable, one-stop comprehensive guide, saving them time in searching for the information they need from different sources




Geocomputation with R


Book Description

Geocomputation with R is for people who want to analyze, visualize and model geographic data with open source software. It is based on R, a statistical programming language that has powerful data processing, visualization, and geospatial capabilities. The book equips you with the knowledge and skills to tackle a wide range of issues manifested in geographic data, including those with scientific, societal, and environmental implications. This book will interest people from many backgrounds, especially Geographic Information Systems (GIS) users interested in applying their domain-specific knowledge in a powerful open source language for data science, and R users interested in extending their skills to handle spatial data. The book is divided into three parts: (I) Foundations, aimed at getting you up-to-speed with geographic data in R, (II) extensions, which covers advanced techniques, and (III) applications to real-world problems. The chapters cover progressively more advanced topics, with early chapters providing strong foundations on which the later chapters build. Part I describes the nature of spatial datasets in R and methods for manipulating them. It also covers geographic data import/export and transforming coordinate reference systems. Part II represents methods that build on these foundations. It covers advanced map making (including web mapping), "bridges" to GIS, sharing reproducible code, and how to do cross-validation in the presence of spatial autocorrelation. Part III applies the knowledge gained to tackle real-world problems, including representing and modeling transport systems, finding optimal locations for stores or services, and ecological modeling. Exercises at the end of each chapter give you the skills needed to tackle a range of geospatial problems. Solutions for each chapter and supplementary materials providing extended examples are available at https://geocompr.github.io/geocompkg/articles/.




Geographical Information Systems and Computer Cartography


Book Description

A concise text presenting the fundamental concepts in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), emphasising an understanding of techniques in management, analysis and graphic display of spatial information. Divided into five parts - the first part reviews the development and application of GIS, followed by a summary of the characteristics and representation of geographical information. It concludes with an overview of the functions provided by typical GIS systems. Part Two introduces co-ordinate systems and map projections, describes methods for digitising map data and gives an overview of remote sensing. Part Three deals with data storage and database management, as well as specialised techniques for accessing spatial data. Spatial modelling and analytical techniques for decision making form the subject of Part Four, while the final part is concerned with graphical representation, emphasising issues of graphics technology, cartographic design and map generalisation.




Geography and Technology


Book Description

This volume celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Association of American Geographers. It recognizes the importance of technologies in the production of geographical knowledge. The original chapters presented here examine technologies that have affected geography as a discipline. Among the technologies discussed are cartography, the camera, aerial photography, computers, and other computer-related tools. The contributors address the impact of such technologies on geography and society, disciplinary inquiries into the social/technological interfaces, high-tech as well low-tech societies, and applications of technologies to the public and private sectors. Geography and Technology can be used as a textbook in geography courses and seminars investigating specific technologies and the impacts of technologies on society and policy. It will also be useful for those in the humanities, social, policy and engineering sciences, planning and development fields where technology questions are becoming of increased importance. Geography clearly has much to learn from other disciplines and fields about geography/technology linkages; others can likewise learn much from us.




Rediscovering Geography


Book Description

As political, economic, and environmental issues increasingly spread across the globe, the science of geography is being rediscovered by scientists, policymakers, and educators alike. Geography has been made a core subject in U.S. schools, and scientists from a variety of disciplines are using analytical tools originally developed by geographers. Rediscovering Geography presents a broad overview of geography's renewed importance in a changing world. Through discussions and highlighted case studies, this book illustrates geography's impact on international trade, environmental change, population growth, information infrastructure, the condition of cities, the spread of AIDS, and much more. The committee examines some of the more significant tools for data collection, storage, analysis, and display, with examples of major contributions made by geographers. Rediscovering Geography provides a blueprint for the future of the discipline, recommending how to strengthen its intellectual and institutional foundation and meet the demand for geographic expertise among professionals and the public.




Charting the Unknown


Book Description

Many, like Chrisman, have since become leaders in GIS-related education, research, and software engineering. Illustrated with numerous maps, drawings, diagrams, and photos, Charting the Unknown's twelve chapters are supplemented with a CD that contains three historic short films showing animated visualization. In addition, the CD contains videotaped interviews and a speech featuring some of the Lab's key figures, including Allan Schmidt, former executive director of the Lab; Eric Teicholz, founder and president of Graphic Systems; Jack Dangermond, founder and president of ESRI; Scott Morehouse, director of software development at ESRI; as well as the author.