Basic overview of Spatial Data base design

The second part of the project was focused on generating a GIS spatial database of the vegetation found within each campsite that was collected during a Rapid Vegetation
Assessment (RVA) Survey.

If you do not fully understand the fundamentals of spatial database design and management, then you may never unleash the power of GIS. Behind almost all colorful maps that you see around is a complex data management framework and structured spatial data that required special attention to issues of scale, accuracy and projection issues.

A database can be defined as a collection of interrelated information or data, managed and stored together as a collective unit. A GIS spatial database is a database that includes collections of information about the spatial location, relationship and shape of topological geographic features and the data in the form of attributes.

The design of the spatial database is the formal process of analyzing facts about the real world into a structured model. Database design is characterized by the following phases: requirement analysis, logical design and physical design. In more common terms, you basically need a plan, a design layout and then the data to complete the process.

Having a solid well designed spatial database is the key to performing good Spatial Analysis. The database can be complex and designed with expensive sophisticated software or can be merely a simple well organized collection of data that can be utilized in a geographic form.

Three main categories of spatial modeling functions that can be applied to geographic features within a GIS are: (1) geometric models, such as calculating the Euclidean distance between features, generating buffers, calculating areas and perimeters, and so on; (2) coincidence models, such as topological overlay; and (3) adjacency models (path finding, redistricting, and allocation). All three model categories support operations on spatial data such as points, lines, polygons, tins, and grids. Functions are organized in a sequence of steps to derive the desired information for analysis.

Examples of GIS Spatial Database and Modeling

• MacKinnon E (2004)
  
  Spatial GIS Vegetation Database and GIS Spatial Modeling for the Jeremy’s
  Bay Campground of Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site.

GIS operates on many levels and over the past decade has become an essential tool for most urban and resource planning and management organizations. On the most basic level, GIS can be used for simple digital cartography, to create various types of maps.

However the real power of GIS is through its abilities to use both spatial and statistical methods to analyze attribute and geographic information together. The end result of such an analysis can be vast amounts of derivative information, interpolated information or prioritized information.
Geographic information systems commonly known as GIS has become a rapidly growing technological field that allows
Geomatics Specialists to solve and model real world situations by incorporating digital spatial and associated tabular data. It is often defined as a comprehensive computerized information system made up of hardware, specialized software, spatial data and people to help manipulate, analyze and present the information used for storing, manipulating and analyzing spatially indexed information.

GIS technology can be used for scientific investigations, resource and utilities management, modeling,  assessments, development planning, cartography and route planning and many other applications.. Some of these and other aspects of the GIS field are currently covered on this web site including projects related to spatial database modeling, Geostatistical spatial modeling, mobile mapping, cartography, and interactive web mapping.

Below are some examples of GIS from a few of the many GIS based projects that I have been involved with over the past few years. The links are to PDF versions of papers, presentations and or manuals related to GIS, I have many more, if anybody is interested in a particular topic then feel free to let me know, as I may have a document available related to that topic.

Examples of GIS

• MacKinnon E (2004) Spatial GIS Vegetation Database and GIS Spatial Modeling at Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site.
• MacKinnon E (2003) Mobile Mapping Application for Updating AGRG Weather Station data
• MacKinnon E (2003) Mobile Mapping Application – for Updating AGRG Weather Station data
• MacKinnon E, & Murphy J. (2003) Leica GS20 Professional Data Mapper – Leica GS20 AGRG Users Guide

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• GIS Directory
• GIS Dictionary
• What is GIS – power point presentation with more information about GIS
• GIS Theory - an Overview of GIS by The University of Melbourne
• GIS.com GIS portal site by ESRI
• Geomatica GeoCapacity
• Spatial Databases – models of reality