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Chapter 2

GIS data is categorized into spatially referenced data (vector and raster forms) and attribute tables. Vector data includes point, line, polygon, and surface representations, while raster data is cell-based and includes continuous and discrete types. The choice of spatial representation depends on factors such as the focus on features or locations, data availability, required precision, and types of analysis needed.

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13 views

Chapter 2

GIS data is categorized into spatially referenced data (vector and raster forms) and attribute tables. Vector data includes point, line, polygon, and surface representations, while raster data is cell-based and includes continuous and discrete types. The choice of spatial representation depends on factors such as the focus on features or locations, data availability, required precision, and types of analysis needed.

Uploaded by

Lawi Kipkirui
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The GIS DATA

GIS data can be separated into two categories: spatially referenced data which is represented

by vector and raster forms (including imagery) and attribute tables which is represented in

tabular format.

Vector Data Representation


- In vector representation, locational data consists of Cartesian Coordinates in some

frame of reference, e.g., UTM. The following features are represented as follow:

Point data

- Is represented by one point of coordinates, (x1, y1). Point data is most commonly used

to represent nonadjacent features and discrete data points. Points have zero

dimensions; therefore, and can be measured neither length or area with this dataset.

Examples would be schools, points of interest, and in the example below, bridge and

culvert locations. Point features are also used to represent abstract points. For

instance, point locations could represent city locations or place names

Line data

– is represented by a series of coordinates (x1, y1). (x2, y2). (x3, y3) … (xn, yn).

Line (or arc) data is used to represent linear features. Common examples would be

rivers, roads, trails, and streets. Line features only have one dimension and therefore

can only be used to measure length. Line features have a starting and ending point.

Polygon data

– is represented by a series of coordinates closing back to itself (x 1, y1). (x2, y2). (x3,

y3) (xn, yn). ….(x1,y1). Polygons represent areas such as the boundary of a city (on a

large-scale map), lake, or forest. Polygon features are two dimensional and therefore

can be used to measure the area and perimeter of a geographic feature.


Surface data

- Is represented by a set of 3-Dimensional coordinates, e.g. (x 1, y1,h1). (x2, y2, h1), (x3, y3,

h1) (xn, yn, hn). …. (x1,y1, h1).

Raster data representations

Raster data (also known as grid data) represents the fourth type of feature: surfaces. Raster

data is cell-based and this data category also includes aerial and satellite imagery. There are

two types of raster data: continuous and discrete. An example of discrete raster data is

population density. Continuous data examples are temperature and elevation

measurements. There are also three types of raster datasets: thematic data, spectral data, and

pictures (imagery).

In raster data representation, the data space is subdivided into a regular array of of pixels

(Picture elements) or cells. The pixels are usually of a uniform size throughout the model.

Locational data consists of row and column numbers of such pixels, usually starting from the

upper corner.

Point is represented by an isolated pixel that is surrounded by pixels whose values are
different from the pixel in question.

Line is represented by a series of continous pixels of the same value.

Polygon is represented by a 2 – Dimensional extent of pixels of equal values.

Surface is represented by a 2-Dimensional extent of pixels of equal values plus a height


value at each pixel.
Choosing a spatial respresentation

Often the choice of spatial representation is guided by the available data and the analytical

tasks required. The following are some of the considerations when choosing spatial

representation.

1. Is the focua on the features or locations? For the distinct objects with attribute and

behaviour, vector representation is superior. Modelling of continous objects, or

phenomena characterised by an attribute and at each location, raster data will be more

superior.

2. What is data is readily available? An early step in GIS design is a survey of all

geographic data already available. If the data is suitable, the next step is to make a

judgement on weather the data is sufficient or there was need to create a new set of

data by means such as aerial photography, GPS data collection or digitization.

3. What is the required precision for the locating of features? Location of features with

significant features, Vector representation will be more superior. Feature

identification and selection is easier with vector data and the precise coordinates are

stored. Determining locations of features in raster data is constrained by the

dimensions of each pixel.

4. What types of features are required? If one is modelling features with values that vary

with time, or have indistinct boundaries, the raster data representation is the best.

When modelling man made features, vector representation is the best.

5. What type of analysis is required?

6. What types of maps are to be generated?


Table 1: Comparison of spatial representation

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