Key Concepts and Techniques in GIS

Key Concepts and Techniques in GIS is a concise overview of the fundamental ideas that inform Geographic Information Science. It provides detailed descriptions of the concepts and techniques that anyone using GIS software must fully understand to analyse spatial data. Short and clearly focussed chapters provide explanations of: " spatial relationships and spatial data " the creation of digital data, the use and access of existing data, the combination of data " the use of modelling techniques and the essential functions of map algebra " spatial statistics and spatial analysis " geocomputation - including discussion of neural networks, cellular automata, and agent-based modelling Illustrated throughout with explanatory figures, the text also includes a glossary, cross referenced to discussion in the text. Written very much from a user's perspective, Key Concepts and Techniques in GIS is highly readable "refresher course" for intermediate level students and practitioners of GIS in the social and the natural sciences.