Geographic Information Systems

Select the sections that will help you learn more than you currently know.

What is GIS?
GIS Science
Why use a GIS
Distinguishing characteristics
Components
GIS as a tool
GIS data inputs and outputs
Common terminology in GIS applications
GIS software
GIS as a tool for landscape ecologists

Traditionally if land use planners wanted to make decisions about the landscape using multiple environmental factors they had to do this by overlaying paper or mylar maps (soils, vegetation, transportation, etc.) on light tables, and trace suitable or unsuitable areas onto a new map. This is a very laborious and tedious task so GIS was first invented as a way of automating the map overlay process.

	Start thinking about environmental management
From what you learnt about GIS in this definitions section, list the reasons why you think it might be useful for environmental management. As you work through the rest of this theme see if you can add to the list.