GIS and Image Skills » GIS Applications

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

What Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are and their components
Key applications of GIS in different fields
How GIS is used for environmental management and planning
GIS applications in disaster management and response
How GIS supports business decisions and urban planning
Practical examples of GIS in everyday life

Introduction to GIS Applications

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are powerful tools that help us collect, analyse and visualise spatial data. They allow us to understand patterns, relationships and trends across geographic spaces. GIS has transformed how we make decisions about our environment, cities and resources.

Key Definitions:

GIS: A system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage and present all types of geographical data.
Spatial Data: Information that identifies the geographic location of features and boundaries on Earth.
Attribute Data: Non-spatial information linked to spatial features (e.g., population statistics for a city).
Layers: Different sets of data that can be overlaid on a map (e.g., roads, buildings, vegetation).

Components of a GIS

A GIS consists of five key components that work together to process geographic information:

💻 Hardware & Software

Computers, servers and specialised GIS software like ArcGIS, QGIS and Google Earth that process and display spatial data.

📊 Data

Geographic information including vector data (points, lines, polygons) and raster data (images, grid cells) with associated attributes.

👥 People

GIS specialists, analysts and users who operate the systems and interpret the results.

🛠 Methods

Procedures and workflows for data collection, analysis and presentation following best practices.

Key Applications of GIS

GIS technology has become essential across numerous fields. Here are some of the most important applications:

Environmental Management and Conservation

GIS helps scientists and policymakers monitor and protect our natural environment in several ways:

🌲 Habitat Monitoring

Tracking changes in forests, wetlands and other ecosystems over time to guide conservation efforts.

🐾 Wildlife Management

Mapping animal movements, habitats and population distributions to protect endangered species.

🌍 Climate Change

Modelling the impacts of rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and sea-level rise.

Case Study Focus: Amazon Rainforest Monitoring

Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) uses GIS and satellite imagery to track deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Their PRODES and DETER systems can detect illegal logging activities within days, allowing authorities to respond quickly. This monitoring has helped reduce deforestation rates by providing timely information to enforcement agencies. The system combines satellite data with ground-truth information and has become a model for forest monitoring worldwide.

Disaster Management and Emergency Response

When disasters strike, GIS provides critical information for planning, response and recovery:

🌋 Risk Assessment

Identifying areas prone to floods, earthquakes, or wildfires by combining geographic data with historical disaster information. This helps communities prepare and develop evacuation plans before disasters occur.

🚑 Emergency Response

During disasters, GIS helps coordinate rescue efforts by showing the locations of affected people, damaged infrastructure and available resources. Mobile GIS applications allow responders to update information from the field in real-time.

Urban Planning and Infrastructure

Cities use GIS to make better decisions about development and services:

🏠 Land Use Planning

Determining the best locations for housing, industry and green spaces based on multiple factors.

🛣 Transport Networks

Planning efficient road systems, public transport routes and cycling infrastructure.

🗼 Utilities Management

Mapping water pipes, electrical lines and telecommunications networks for maintenance and expansion.

Business and Commercial Applications

Businesses increasingly rely on GIS for strategic decision-making:

🏢 Site Selection

Retailers use GIS to find optimal locations for new stores by analysing demographics, competitor locations and transport accessibility. For example, supermarket chains map customer data to identify underserved areas with suitable demographics.

🚚 Logistics and Delivery

Delivery companies use GIS to plan efficient routes, reducing fuel consumption and delivery times. These systems can adjust routes in real-time based on traffic conditions, weather and new orders.

Health and Public Services

GIS helps improve healthcare delivery and public health planning:

🏥 Healthcare Planning

Mapping healthcare facilities, disease outbreaks and population health needs to ensure services are accessible to all communities. This helps identify areas with limited access to healthcare.

💊 Disease Tracking

During epidemics, GIS helps track the spread of diseases, identify hotspots and plan containment strategies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, GIS dashboards provided real-time information on case numbers and hospital capacity.

Case Study Focus: COVID-19 Response

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins University created an interactive GIS dashboard that tracked global cases, deaths and recoveries in real-time. This tool became an essential resource for policymakers, healthcare workers and the public. The dashboard combined data from multiple sources and presented it visually, making complex information accessible. It demonstrated how GIS can help manage global health crises by providing up-to-date spatial information.

GIS in Everyday Life

Even if you don't realise it, you probably use GIS applications regularly:

🗺 Navigation Apps

Google Maps, Waze and other navigation apps use GIS to help you find your way and avoid traffic.

🌎 Weather Forecasts

Weather apps use GIS to show rainfall, temperature and storm patterns specific to your location.

🍴 Food Delivery

Services like Deliveroo and Just Eat use GIS to match you with nearby restaurants and track your delivery.

Future of GIS Applications

GIS technology continues to evolve, with several exciting developments on the horizon:

🤖 AI and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence is being integrated with GIS to automatically detect patterns and changes in spatial data. For example, AI can analyse satellite imagery to identify deforestation or urban growth without human intervention.

📱 Mobile GIS

As smartphones become more powerful, mobile GIS applications allow data collection and analysis in the field. This makes GIS more accessible and enables real-time updates to spatial databases.

Summary: Why GIS Matters

GIS applications have transformed how we understand and interact with our world. By visualising spatial relationships and patterns, GIS helps us make better decisions about our environment, cities, businesses and public services. As technology advances, GIS will continue to play a crucial role in addressing complex challenges like climate change, urban growth and resource management.

The ability to work with GIS is becoming an increasingly valuable skill across many careers, from environmental science to business analytics. Understanding how GIS applications work and how they can be applied to solve real-world problems is an important part of geographic literacy in the 21st century.

🧠 Test Your Knowledge!