Domande_GIS Flashcards
What is Geomatics?
Geomatics is the discipline that concerns the collection, distribution, storage, analysis, processing, and presentation of geographic data or information. It integrates geographic-related methods and techniques with informatics, including GNSS, remote sensing, GIS, and more.
What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?
GIS is a configuration of computer hardware and software designed for acquiring, maintaining, and using cartographic data. It examines spatial relationships, patterns, and trends in geography.
What are examples of spatial questions in GIS?
Examples include:
* Where is the closest hospital?
* What areas are at risk of flooding?
* How has land use changed over time?
How did GIS evolve from traditional to digital cartography?
GIS evolved from thematic mapping with key developments including:
* 16th-century observation instruments.
* 1854 cholera map by John Snow.
* 1960s: CGIS by Roger Tomlinson.
* 1975-onward: interactive GIS software.
What are the differences between CAD and GIS?
CAD focuses on graphic representation and large-scale designs, while GIS manages shape, attributes, and spatial analysis with multi-scale analysis.
What is a digital twin?
A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object or process, providing real-time analysis.
Example: ESA’s ‘Destination Earth’ project for monitoring climate and natural disasters.
What is a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)?
An SDI facilitates discovery, access, and sharing of geospatial data. Components include GIS software, catalog services, spatial data services, and geodatabases.
What are vector data types in GIS?
Vector data represent points, lines, and polygons, described by vertices and stored in attribute tables. Storage formats include shapefiles, GeoJSON, KML, and GPX.
What are raster data types in GIS?
Raster data consist of pixel grids with key resolutions including spatial, temporal, and radiometric resolution.
What are the differences between vector and raster data?
Vector is ideal for discrete features (e.g., roads), while raster is better for continuous data (e.g., elevation).
What is metadata in GIS?
Metadata is data about data, detailing content, quality, and usage, helping users evaluate datasets for fitness of use.
What are data catalogues in GIS?
Catalogues inventory available data and reduce the time spent searching, shifting focus from data discovery to analysis.
What is INSPIRE?
A European initiative ensuring interoperable geospatial data for environmental policies, focusing on data collection efficiency and cross-border accessibility.
What is COPERNICUS?
The EU’s Earth Observation Programme provides services for land, emergency, and climate monitoring, including rapid disaster mapping.
What is Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI)?
VGI leverages user-contributed data, as seen in OpenStreetMap (OSM), which offers free, editable maps with millions of contributors.
What is topography in surveying?
Topography studies methods for surveying small Earth surfaces.
What is photogrammetry?
Photogrammetry derives metric information from images.
What is a Total Station?
A Total Station measures angles and distances.
Pros: precision. Cons: accessibility and time consumption.
What are RPAS?
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems offer high-resolution surveys of inaccessible areas.
Cons include weather sensitivity.
What is GNSS?
GNSS uses satellite constellations to determine geographic positions.
Pros: georeferenced data. Cons: lower precision in obstructed areas.
What is the difference between accuracy and precision?
Accuracy is how close measurements are to the true value, while precision is the consistency of repeated measurements.
What is a Coordinate Reference System (CRS)?
A CRS defines spatial locations via a datum, coordinate system, and projection, with examples including geographic and projected systems.
What are QGIS layers?
QGIS integrates tools for spatial analysis and visualization, referencing data sources with properties like symbology and metadata.
What are ellipsoidal measurements?
Ellipsoidal measurements account for Earth’s curvature, while Cartesian distances assume a flat surface.
What is attribute management in GIS?
Attributes in GIS are tabular data linked to spatial features, with tools in QGIS for filtering, editing, and relating attributes.
What is vector layers symbolization?
Symbology visualizes attributes with types including single symbol, categorized, and graduated rendering.
What is raster layers symbolization?
Rendering options include single-band, multiband, hillshade, and pseudocolor.
What is digitization in editing vector data?
Digitization converts features into digital formats, with tools including snapping and topology.
What is processing vector data in QGIS?
QGIS’s processing framework automates vector operations like clipping, intersecting, and joining.
What is processing raster data?
Raster operations include map algebra, terrain analysis, and georeferencing.
What is spatial interpolation?
Interpolation predicts values for unsampled locations using algorithms like IDW and Kriging.
What is suitability analysis?
Suitability analysis combines geospatial data to evaluate locations based on criteria.
What is advanced processing in GIS?
Includes batch processing, QGIS plugins, and geoprocessing models that automate workflows.
What are the types of maps?
Maps vary by scale and content, including thematic maps like choropleths and heat maps.
What is a map layout?
Effective maps balance clarity, contrast, and unity, including elements like titles and legends.
