Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer systems for capturing, storing, analyzing and displaying spatial data. GIS allows users to visualize, question, interpret patterns in spatial data and relationships. A key example is John Snow's 1854 map of the London cholera epidemic, which linked outbreaks to specific water pumps. GIS integrates data from various sources and stores it in layers that can be analyzed and overlaid, such as points, lines, polygons and rasters. Applications of GIS in plant taxonomy include identifying suitable locations for crop expansion by comparing climatic and soil data, mapping and monitoring plant species distributions for conservation efforts, and designing on-farm conservation sites.
2. What Is Geographic Information System?
• Geographic - Relates to places on the Earth’s surface
Where something is
AND
What is at a given location
• Information System-
oManipulate, summarize, query, edit, visualize
oWork with information stored in computer databases
Roger Tomlinson (Father of
GIS )
4. GIS is a computer-based information system designed to
accept large volumes of spatial data derived from a variety of
sources and to efficiently store, retrieve, analyze, model, and
display (output) these data according to user-defined
specifications.
Data Computer Information GIS Knowledge
5. • Spatial Data can
be seen
organized in
layers.
Points- could represent
spot elevation
measurements.
Lines- could represent
contours of equal
elevation.
Polygons – could
represent flat water
bodies like lakes.
Raster- could represent
a continuous elevation
surface created from
these features.
ULTIMATE AIM- DECISION MAKING
GIS is a data integration machine.
7. • Crop Expansion Strategies- GIS can play a crucial role by way of managing
large data sets, identifying suitable locations for multiplication and
evaluation of germplasm introduced from other countries.
• Compare:
• Climatic condition data
• Soil quality data
• pH data
• Temperature data
• Water requirement data
• Topographic data
8. • Mapping and Monitoring of Plant Species- Knowledge of the distribution of
species can form a critical component for managing ecosystems.
9. • GIS can be effectively used for genetic resources conservation in the following areas:
• Identifying gaps for conservation in both ex-situ and in-situ
• Design and management of on-farm in-situ conservation sites
A GIS-ARC MAP