Analyzing spatial and temporal phenomena using geographical information systems - A review of ecological applications

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

In ecological studies the recent emphasis on larger study areas over longer time spans has coincided with the development of geographical information systems (GIS). GISs are a set of computer hardware and software for analyzing and displaying spatially referenced features (i.e., points, lines, polygons) with non-geographic attributes (i.e., species, age). In the fields of natural resources management and ecology the GIS has been used most frequently for 1) derivation of area or length measures, 2) spatial intersection functions such as file merging, analysis of spatial coincidence and detection of temporal change, 3) proximity analyses, and 4) derivation of data for input in simulation or growth models or calculation of specific metrics. Several current applications of GISs in ecology and natural resources are reviewed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)31-43
Number of pages13
JournalLandscape Ecology
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 1990

Keywords

  • GIS
  • applications
  • geographical information system
  • natural resources
  • spatial
  • temporal

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Analyzing spatial and temporal phenomena using geographical information systems - A review of ecological applications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this