Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology is an integration of cartographic
and computer science. Basically, GIS is a software and hardware system
that helps scientists capture, store, manipulate and display spatial
or geographic information. Both manually and digitally collected information
can be integrated into the system for analysis. Information sources
can range from satellite images and maps to manually collected environmental
readings on variables such as water depth or chemistry. Researchers
can combine different types of data layers to ask questions that would
be difficult or impossible to address through standard cartographic
approaches. GIS technology is capable of producing a wide range of visual
outputs, including maps, drawings, animations, and several other cartographic
products.
GIS technology
is especially powerful because it allows the user to interactively manipulate
information. For example, technology such as the Internet Map Server
used in Water on the Web allows a student to interact with generated
maps and retrieve information about any map feature by simply clicking
on the feature. Along with this interactive ability, GIS can be linked
with computer models to carry out simulations of given environments
and variables over time. For instance, by linking a map with a storm
water model, the system can predict how quickly salts or other contaminants
may move through a stream system. The capabilities of GIS can help illustrate
the human impact on surrounding environments to resource managers, the
public, and students in classrooms. For a lesson on how to use GIS,
read our GIS Quick Start Primer.
You can
create customized maps of our study areas by using the ArcIMS Internet
Map Server (Environmental Systems Research
Institute). This will allow you to zoom in and out, and change the
map display details.
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Select
from the following maps:
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Note:
Maps will be loaded in a new browser window.
