Spatial

Information
Technology

M.N.Reddy
Geo-Spatial Information
Technology

Geographical Information
System(GIS)
+ Global Positioning System(GPS)
+ Remote Sensing(RS)
GIS = G +IS

= Geographic reference + Information

system
spatial • A technology
coordinates on
hardware & software
the surface of the
tools
earth

All data in GIS • An information

must be linked to handling strategy
a geographic
reference • The objective: to
improve overall
USGS Definition:

GIS is computer hardware and

software system designed to collect,
manage, analyze, and display spatially
(geographically) referenced data

GIS is a computer system capable of

holding and using data describing
places on the earth’s surface - ESRI

www. gisdevelopment.net
 Why is GIS Important in
Agriculture?

• Most Many questions of

Agricultural Agricultural resource
data has a management deal with
spatial patterns and
spatial processes
component
GIS provides a method to:
• Analyse the spatial
component
• Display the data spatially
 Precision Agriculture/Farming is
Information Intensive
Agriculture
(GIS+RS+GPS)
+DSS(Decision Support Systems)
& Exper Systems)
Targeting of
inputs as per
locally
determined
needs through
modern
technology of
measurement
Conceptual Model of GIS

GIS
“themes,”
“layers,” or
“coverages”

The real
world
GIS – An integrating Technology
How a GIS holds data
•GIS holds spatial information in
independent map layers – single
phenomenon mapped across space
•integrates layers by registering
them to a common locational
reference (lat/long grid).
•thematic layers can all be made
visible at the same time or
selectively and linked by common
location
•allows overlaying to get
homogenous land units and other
types of information
• allows collating data from
several layers for any location
Fig Source: FAO
• allows spatial analysis
GIS Applications in Agriculture
 Thematic Mapping
 Precision farming
 Land use planning
 Watershed modeling and management
 Characterization (Prioritization)
 Impact Assessment
 Irrigation modeling and management
 Resource inventory, mapping and
modelling
 Yield forecasting
Two main types of GIS

• Vector
– Objects represented as nodes
(X,Y points) and connecting
lines, attributes of objects
attached as database tables
• Raster
– Geographical space
represented as a grid of cells,
numerical values represent
attributes of each cell
Raster and Vector Data Models
Compared
Vector Overlay
 Summary of Features of a
GIS:
A GIS reads maps and produces maps.
It can create maps in different scales,
projections and colours

But it is NOT just a computer system

for making maps

It is primarily an ANALYTICAL TOOL

that provides new ways of looking at
and analyzing data, by projecting
tabular data into maps and integrating
data from different sources
Examples
Map scale determines the size and
shape of features

• Large scale city

1:500 1:24000

city
• Small scale 1:2500
1:24000 00

Source:
ESRI
 GIS use

Level-1 Resource Inventory

(Data Base Management)

Level-2Integration of Different Layers

(Overlay)

Level-3 Interfacing with

Analytical models
Global Positioning System (GPS)
 The Global Positioning System
(GPS) is a satellite-based
navigation system made up of a
network of 24 satellites placed into
orbit by the U.S. department of
Defense.
 GPS was originally intended for
military applications, but in the 1980s,
the government made the system
available for civilian use.
 GPS works in any weather
conditions, anywhere in the world, 24
hours a day.
There are no subscription fees or
setup charges to use GPS.
Three Segments:
2. Space Segment
3. Control segment
4. User segment
Satellite Remote Sensing Data And Object
Reorganization
 Land use /Land Cover Map

Grass
Shadow

Conifero
Deciduous us Trees
Trees in Red
(Chlorop
hyll)
Mixed Water
Trees

Deciduous
Trees Urban/Road

in Green
Shade
 Radiative transfer basics
Electro Magnetic(EM) radiation is
subject to four main processes;
• Reflection.
• Transmission.
• Scattering.
• Absorption (and re-emission).
Land Cover Changes