Geography 291: Geospatial Analysis with Desktop GIS

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Completed GEOG 291 quiz

My name is Katie McMahon and I am a sophomore this year. I am majoring in Environmental Studies and I am minoring in Sociology. This class is required for my major but I think learning the content will be important for my major.

Before reading the passage by Schuurman, I was unfamiliar with GIS and its importance. I had a vague understanding that it was a collection of data, but after reading the passage, I learned that it is the examination of the map and not just a graph of data. With understanding that, I learned how it contributes to everyday life and not just the environmental aspects of life. From the passage, I learned how much GIS has advanced over time and how these advancements are improving urban life. I found it interesting that so many amities such as parks, buildings, and other public spaces rely on the spacial data from GIS. I also found it interesting that many choices that people make every day are influenced by the systems that GIS created. And with that, the reading pointed how GIS can be related to feminism by questioning the data that was collected for any bias. From the reading, I did learn how GIScientists analyze their data very closely since bias and miscommunication can occur. Along with that the author states how GIScience is the theoretical justification for data and showcases the way in which the data was collected.  Whereas GISystems are much more straightforward in presenting the data. From the reading I learned that GIS is more than just a collection of data. It’s more about the interception of the data and what it means. This can prove to be important to the environment and urban living since both influence each other on a daily basis.

GIS data of crime density in

This figure shows crime density in different locations. This can prove to be important for people living in these areas to know where crime occurs and the analyzation of why crime is happening in these places. This is important for safety and then striving to eliminate the cause of the crime.

Shrivastava, A. (2025, May 15). Crime mapping with GIS: Tools, techniques, and real-world uses. GeoWGS84. https://www.geowgs84.com/post/crime-mapping-with-gis-tools-techniques-and-real-world-uses

GIS data of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon

This figure examines the rate of deforestation to the rate in which the forrest is restoring from 1975-2018. Scientists can analyze this rate of restoration compared to deforestation in order to redirect deforestation into a part where restoration is greater than the loss of trees and wildlife.

From Monitoring deforestation using GIS, by Da Cruz et al. (2021), as reproduced in Rahman et al. (2025), ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Monitoring-deforestation-using-GIS-Da-Cruz-et-al-2021_fig4_388281540

Chapter 1 gave a brief insight into what GIS is and how we can use it. One thing I find very interesting is that you can use GIS mapping for many different things, from crime in certain cities to deforestation or the loss of certain animals. To me, this is interesting because GIS seems like a science-type of thing, but in reality, it isn’t. Another interesting thing is that you can use GIS mapping for more precise things (like precise locations) or you can just use it for more broad stuff (like looking at a whole city).

Key Words:

Most common geographic analysis tasks:

• Mapping where things are
• Mapping the most and least
• Mapping density
• Finding what’s inside
• Finding what’s nearby
• Mapping change

GIS analysis: the process for looking at geographic patterns in your data and at relationships between features

Steps of GIS analysis:

• Frame the question
• Understand the data
• Choose a method
• Process the data
• Look at the results

Types of features:

• Discrete
• Continuous Phenomena
• Summarized by area

Ways to represent geographic features:

• Vector
• Raster

Types of attribute values:

• Categories: groups of similar things
• Ranks: put features in order, from high to low
• Counts: the actual number of features
• Amounts: any measurable quantity associated with a feature
• Ratios: show you the relationship between two quantities and are created by dividing one quantity by another for each feature

Three common operations on features and values:

• Selecting
• Calculating
• summarizing

Chapter 2 gave us a summary of why mapping is important in our world. When mapping is used, we are able to see where the main problems may be occurring and where people need to be focusing on to fix a problem. Another important thing is that there are many types of maps that can be used, which causes some to be better for showcasing certain topics than others. One cool thing that I realized in this chapter was that there are so many ways to show what data you are looking at. You can use dots, lines, or plots. There are so many different types. The only problem that I have is that it seems that some are more difficult to understand than others. For example, when they are showing the zoning code with all the different colors compared to the business map.

Chapter 3 helped give us an idea of how to pick which data is best for presenting. If you were focusing on something in a high-income area, you probably wouldn’t want to include low-income areas unless there is a similarity between the two in what you are searching. One thing that this chapter has shown me is that there is a decent amount of math that goes into these maps for each point of data. One thing that stuck out to me was mapping individual values. This helps with finding patterns in raw data and is also very useful when you are looking at something you aren’t used to. One final thing is that there are many advantages and disadvantages to the way people classify their schemes. So, no matter which one you use, there is always going to be a fault, and it will never be perfect

Key Words:

Counts: the actual number of features on a map

Amounts: the total of a value associated with each feature

Ratios: show the relationship between two quantities (averages, proportions, and densities)

Proportions: Show you what part of a whole each quantity represents

Densities: show you where features are concentrated

Ranks: put features in order, high to low

Classes: help features with similar values by assigning them with the same symbol

Natural Breaks: values within a class are likely to be similar and values between classes are different

Quantile: Each class has an equal number of features in it

Equal Interval: each class has an equal range of values

Standard deviation: defined by its distance from the mean value of all the features

*I have completed the GEOG 291 Quiz

My name is Keira Bruner and I am a sophomore from Cleveland majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Sociology. I chose to take this class mostly because it is required for my major, but also because I think it would be a helpful science for me to understand if I ever want to actually work in the environmental field.

Before reading the Schuurman reading, I had no idea that GIS was such a widely used system. For some reason I thought that people only used it to map environmental issues/improvements, but then again, I thought it was closer to just being cartography. I learned that it is actually the analysis of a map, not the map itself. I was also impressed to find out that the US Census Bureau uses GIS, because I have had to use that website to analyze information even further for a sociology class, and it is just interesting to find out that I have used the information already without knowing what it was.

It is also interesting that there isn’t a way to avoid making some sort of distinction between two categories when approaching a blurry line in data, like the difference between a mountain and a valley. This would mean that two people could do a map on the same thing and end up with completely different boundaries and conclusions depending on where they decided to place lines. Also in this situation, the approach on the analysis of the data could completely differ because there are so many factors one could chose to define, but they can’t just do all of them or the final map will be entirely too busy and confusing to look at. I am gathering that this is just another instance, like coding, where the output from the technology is pretty customizable depending on the user.

As far as its uses go, I wasn’t surprised to learn that it can be used for predicting urban growth based on the analysis of current conditions. Looking into and preparing for the future seems to be a goal that a lot of people aim for when approaching new technology, because it is something humans can’t yet do while getting results that have certainty.

One application for GIS is shown in this map from a study connecting susceptibility of soil erosion to wildfire affected areas in Attika.

The map shows that there is a correlation between the two, as soil is much more eroded from heavy rainfall in the affected area post wildfire both compared to prior in that area and the unaffected areas around it.

Efthimiou, Nikolaos, Emmanouil Psomiadis, and Panos Panagos. “Fire severity and soil erosion susceptibility mapping using multi-temporal Earth Observation data: The case of Mati fatal wildfire in Eastern Attica, Greece.” Catena 187 (2020): doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2019.104320

Another example of a GIS application is to represent environmental injustices.

This map is representing air pollution in proximity to a factory in Canada. The thickness of the lines represents the density of air pollution in an area, and it is higher the closer you move to the factory.

*I have completed the GEOG 291 quiz and reviewed the syllabus*

My name is Brittney Parks and I am a senior at OWU. I am majoring in zoology and botany, with a minor in philosophy. I am planning to pursue a PhD. after I graduate this spring. On campus I am the secretary of the Women in STEM club and fundraising chair for the Women’s Rugby club. I have also been doing research with Dr. Gangloff for three years. I am hoping that being able to learn GIS will help me have a more diverse set of skills to assist me in my future research. 

Admittedly, I knew very little about GIS when I selected this course, I had just been told it would be a good skill to have. After reading this chapter I feel like I have a much better understanding of what GIS is. I had always just thought of GIS as an environmental science thing, so it was interesting reading about all of the interesting applications for GIS. I found it especially interesting that it can be used for researching the spread of infectious diseases and archeology. The example of John Snow’s application of visual intuition mapping to study the Cholera outbreak (Page 13) reminded me of how GIS could be used to study infectious diseases. I hadn’t considered that GIS could be applied to situations like that. 

This reading helped me understand the concepts and details of GIS better. The author discusses the difference between mapping, which is visually displaying geographic information, and spatial imaging, which generates information using geographic information. I was previously unaware of the different definitions of GIS, geographic information science (GIScience) and geographic information system (GISystem), but I think the reading did a good job of explaining it. To my understanding, GISystem is the development of tools and processes to analyze spatial data and GIScience is studying the theories and concepts related to spatial data. The author described it as “GIScience is the theoretical basis for GISystems” (Page 11). It was also interesting to read about the debate and discourse occurring within the GIS field. They are still trying to figure out how to define boundaries and categories for spatial entities. I found the examples of the boundary between the mountains and the foothill and the categorization of mountain elevation levels to be helpful in understanding this. Learning about how there is still debate within the field really highlights how it is still an actively growing and developing field. 

Application 1:

In this study, they used GIS to map out the presence of a viper species in the Iberian Peninsula in comparison to the suitability of the habitat in the area. Applications like this can be very important for wildlife conservation research.

Habitat suitability map is shown below.

Santos, X., Brito, J. C., Sillero, N., Pleguezuelos, J. M., Llorente, G. A., Fahd, S., & Parellada, X. (2006). Inferring habitat-suitability areas with ecological modelling techniques and GIS: A contribution to assess the conservation status of Vipera latastei. Biological Conservation, 130(3), 416–425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2006.01.003

Application 2:

In this study, they used GIS to look at soil moisture across part of India and how it affects the agricultural capabilities in the area. Applications like this can be very important for fulfilling agricultural needs with the increase in drought conditions.

Soil moisture in the study area is shown below.

Saha, A., Patil, M., Goyal, V. C., & Rathore, D. S. (2019). Assessment and Impact of Soil Moisture Index in Agricultural Drought Estimation Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques. Proceedings, 7(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/ECWS-3-05802

I completed the GEOG 291 Quiz and reviewed the syllabus

My name is Elijah Grennell. This year I’m a junior, and I’m double majoring in Biology and Environmental Science. I’m from Whitehall, Ohio, which is a little east of Columbus.  I’m interested in doing Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) after I graduate from college, primarily in manufacturing.  As for why I’m taking this class, yes, it’s a core requirement for Envs. But I wanted to learn more about GIS.

3)

I’ve never heard of GIS until I added Environmental Science as a major my sophomore year. Since then, I’ve heard it all the time from students and faculty; however, I never actually knew what it was. Originally, I thought that GIS was only used for things like research projects that either big companies or universities conduct, but after reading the chapter, I now see that it can be anything. This reading helped me visually understand what GIS is. Before, i though GIS was just one basic overall map that only generally showed a specific item or topic that you were focusing on. However, now I understand that it is more of a group of maps that contain information to help gather awareness (or that’s what I got from the reading…)

One thing that specifically stood out to me was how it can be used to locate clusters of infectious diseases. The idea of mapping out either the locations where the disease/sickness sprouted or spread seems interesting but also quite difficult. Since I want to work in EHS, I think GIS would be a good skill to learn now rather than later. This is because the primary role in EHS is to maintain a safe and suitable environment. If I learn to understand and actually do GIS work, it would allow me to do things such as mapping hazards and air quality around job locations.

Another thing that I found interesting while reading is the origin of GIS; in the chapter, it says that GIS originated in architecture around the 1960’s because of a guy named Ian McHarg. He wanted to find the most straightforward and convenient place to build a new highway, so he made an overlay of drawings/maps of the surrounding area. Just the thought that such a simple idea has now taken such a significant role, not only in architecture but in almost every aspect of everyday life.  I also liked that in the article it’s stated that although it was made for architecture, any group could have come up with the idea.

4)

This study researched two species of lizards, Agamidae and Lacertidae lizards found in Turkey, and then tracked their locations. Their goal was to track the lizards and observe their preference in habitat in order to use GIS to find similar ones.  I chose this because I was initially looking for GIS tracking of reptiles as a form of indicator species for environmental change; however, I couldn’t find any. This was still interesting though.

Mert, A. & Kirac, A. (2019). GIS as a tool to map habitat suitability for two lizard species using environmental factors. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 28(2A), 1330-1336.

I have finished the GEOG 291 Quiz:

Pictured above is me standing in front of the London Tower!

Hello, my name is Brandon Elliott, but I go by Brandon Hughes. I am a freshman majoring in environmental studies. The reason I took this class is that my brother, who is a senior, expressed how he enjoyed learning about GIS and its uses from this course. I am also interested in the implications of GIS and how it is used to analyze land for various uses. I intend to do fieldwork with my environmental studies degree, so taking this GEOG 291 course will expand my knowledge of analyzing data, understanding the GIS resource, as well as how to utilize this system for my benefit.

Prior to this week’s reading, my understanding of GIS from my brother, who also is majoring in environmental studies, was that it was a system that people used to create maps and record the geography of locations. After the first reading, I now understand the value that GIS has, not only for simple factors like delivery services and maps but also for its utilization by emergency services and zoning. GIS has been utilized countless times dating back to the 1960s when the technology behind the system was being developed and the capabilities had not yet been fully comprehended. 

Schuurman’s initial chapter highlighted how the nascent GIS system was underestimated because of its technological limitations, an idea that resonated with me. Numerous people preferred manual cartography rather than computerized spatial analysis. This highlights how new technology may not always be a hit initially and can use improvements in order to adopt the system until it takes off. I find this interesting because at this time many individuals still preferred the physical and traditional cartography techniques rather than the newly invented GIS system of using computerized methods. This trend is becoming apparent in present times with how people are beginning to revert back to more traditional methods rather than newer technology such as the use of AI. However we could also be in a similar period where the newer technology is not trusted but with advancements the systems become more utilized and advanced. The spatial analysis confusion from common mapping can be highlighted by my observation with how individuals may not fully understand the differences i the systems and how they have independent uses rather than 

The textbook mentions how transformations within the digital environment have huge impacts on the accuracy of GIS. In order to limit large fluctuations in the data causing inaccuracy, GIScientist must account for the impact of transformations. This insight provides a strong basis for an understanding of how much data and layers are compiled within the geospatial tool that even small alterations can have a domino effect through the various layers of the mapping system.

The GIS system is used in countless aspects of life for numerous fields. I chose to look into GIS’s impact on an interest of mine in identifying invasive plant species and analyzing the factors contributing to their spread. After researching this topic and GIS’s application on this I learned that the system compiles soil types, rainfall patterns, and terrain of a location that plays a large role in the spread of these species. Scientists may analyze the current data of the region and compile a visualization for future vegetation prediction scenarios, such as this image of Yosemite that the National Park Service utilizes:

“Geographic Information System” Yosemite National Park, National Park Service, Aug. 22, 2023 (Projected Future Vegetation).

An additional application of GIS can be inverse to predicting and limiting the spread of invasive species by mapping and protecting ‌native species. This application of GIS is also widely utilized by National Park services and conservation groups to analyze the data behind why these species are thriving or struggling and how to adapt their approach to maximize conservation.

Sources:

• “Geographic Information System” Yosemite National Park, National Park Service, Aug. 22, 2023 (Projected Future Vegetation).https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/gis.htm 

I completed the GEOG 291 quiz and reviewed the syllabus

Hello my name is Elliott Montana and I am a junior here at Ohio Wesleyan. I enjoy swimming on the swim team and going out fishing with my buddies. I am a Biology and Geography dual major hoping to pursue a career in natural resources/wildlife crime prevention. I think that the addition of GIS skills both as a desktop and online application will boost my career success in the field I plan to enter.

I have heard about GIS from several colleagues during my first year here at OWU and felt confused by what exactly it was and how it was used. My first interpretation is that it was solely a device used to make 3D maps. I now see that it is more complex than that and encompasses not just the technology used but also the analysis used to interpret the figures and data collected.

I thought that the idea of GIS being the “clearing of the fuzzy” was an interesting sentiment and made some sense to me. To me this translates to a set of decisions that help us define the distinct patterns that we can sense while viewing spatial objects through a geographic lens ex; what separates a mountain and a hill.

In addition to this I had not realized quite how much GIS is built into all the systems that function in our human society ex: The garbage routes and bike paths mentioned in the text. I had assumed that these processes were carried out by polling methods or simple measurements of distance covered.

I do not believe that my understanding of what GIS is has reached completion(I don’t believe anybody’s understanding of new and evolving things ever reaches 100%) but I think I will gain a better understanding of the concept over the next reading and practical hands-on experience with the technology.

Application 1

A GIS spatial analysis was used for several different factors in projecting habitat suitability for several species of marine fish in the Port Phillip Bay. The catch data was taken by fishing companies in the bay. Parameters measured include depth, substratum and sediment type.

Morris, L., & Ball, D. (2006, January 1). Habitat suitability modelling of economically important fish species with commercial fisheries data. Ices Journal Of Marine Science. Academic.Oup.Com. https://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article/63/9/1590/696978?utm_source=chatgpt.com&login=true

Application 2

The next study aimed to identify swimming pools within an area using  the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) which works within a GIS system to identify standing water that is constituted as a swimming pool. The purpose of this is to identify places where mosquitoes might be breeding in an effort to combat the spread of the deadly West Nile virus.

APA Style

McFeeters, S. K. (2013). Using the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) within a Geographic Information System to Detect Swimming Pools for Mosquito Abatement: A Practical Approach. Remote Sensing, 5(7), 3544-3561. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs5073544

Part 1

I completed the GEOG 291 quiz and reviewed the syllabus and schedule.

Part 2 Introduction

     My name is Mia Boldman, majoring in Zoology and Environmental Science. I am from Huron, Ohio and I am a junior at Ohio Wesleyan. I am interested in conducting research in national parks focused on conservation efforts tMy name is Mia Boldman, and I am majoring in Zoology and Environmental Science. I am from Huron, Ohio, and I am a junior at Ohio Wesleyan. I am interested in conducting research in national parks focused on conservation efforts to restore wildlife populations. Taking GEOG 291 will help me understand this important resource, which can track environmental changes and provide vital information about ecosystems within protected areas such as national parks. o restore wildlife populations. Taking GEOG 291 will help me understand this important resource, which can track environmental changes and provide vital information about ecosystems within naturally protected areas such as national parks. 

Part 3 Schuurman Ch. 1

     I have heard of geospatial analysis before, but I never knew how many different aspects of life GIS can be useful in. It surprised me that GIS is used in so many different ways, from different kinds of scientists to big corporations such as Starbucks and car companies. Seeing GIS being used by city officials is interesting because GIS provides information on where properties lie in the area, from residential to industrial, and which ones are impacted by construction. This is just one example that shows GIS makes such a big impact today and in our everyday lives.

     I learned that there are three distinctions between GIScience and GISystems. The distinctions between these are very close, and data can be misrepresented. GISystems are processes for outputting data and digital coding, where classification comes at the end. There tends to be some debate regarding what the spatial data shows, which causes heated discussion on what the parameter should be for spatial objects. There is a major disagreement on what boundaries are created between the spatial objects. For instance, the discussion on what the boundary for mountains is a heated conversation for all parties involved because a mountain ranges from small to extremely large, and the boundary can have a small range like up to 1,000 m or a bigger range like up to 5,000 m. On the other hand, GIScience provides the theoretical basis for what is executed. It is also reliant on spatial data, but it refines the boundaries to have equal bearings. All of the boundaries drawn always provide a different result based on levels of aggression.

Part 4 Applications

     GIS applications are used in a variety of ways in conservation. Researchers will use spatial analysis to track the migration patterns of specific species to find new ecosystems around the world. Scientists will use GIS to assist with where and how protective measures are applied in habitats. 

Null. “WCS Canada Story Maps Collection.” ArcGIS StoryMaps, Esri, 5 Dec. 2022, storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/557d7b52083349068a747affd5a1420c?item=4.

I have finished the GEOG 291 quiz 😀

Pictured above: me standing atop Marblehead Lighthouse 🙂

Prior to attending OWU, I had not heard of anything beyond surface-level mentions of GIS technology or of classes dedicated to GIS, even within my high school’s environmental science course. My brother, previously a field biology major, was not fond of the geology or geography sides of his major, so I initially had a negative impression of GIS and similar courses. Before completing this reading, I had a very rudimentary understanding of what exactly GIS is and what it can accomplish, especially in interdisciplinary studies of the environment such as environmental architecture or environmental impacts on disease research.

Learning of the history of GIS technology and doing my own research into the quantitative revolution that Schuurman repeatedly describes was incredibly fascinating, especially as I could relate it to my own understanding of technology at the time of the 1950s and 60s (specifically think of NASA’s room-sized IBM computers used during the Apollo missions). Additionally, learning of the unclear history of the preceding technologies that ultimately inspired research and the development of GIS technology was both interesting and largely surprising, as GIS technology has been developed in the modern, recorded era and alongside other technological revolutions, such as personal computers and data storage.

Additionally, I was surprised by the pervasiveness of GIS technology in geographical analysis, especially as Schuurman specifically notes how GIS affects construction, transportation, and recreation to such a high degree. Even as GIS has its limitations with fuzzy boundaries that are difficult to categorize, GIS is still an incredibly important technology into understanding multiple environmental and human-dependent impacts and how these factors interact with one another. I was very intrigued to learn about GIS scientists and their ability to predict certain subjects such as urban growth, with the inclusion of pre-existing GIS data and analysis of the rate of growth or decline in certain factors.

GIS technology can be used to map and understand soil composition and how it may effect an ecosystem. Pictured above is a map of the type of substrate along the bottom of Lake Erie throughout multiple state and international boundaries. Researchers at the Ohio State University analyzed the potential spread of invasive zebra mussels in Lake Erie by modeling the bathymetry and substrate type along the bottom of Lake Erie, using data from both models to predict how the mussels may spread over time.

Haltuch, Melissa A., et al. “Geographic Information System (GIS) Analysis of Ecosystem Invasion: Exotic Mussels in Lake Erie.” https://www.jstor.org/stable/2670637

I read the syllabus and I took the Geog 291 quiz.

My name is Makaylin Bailey. I am a senior double majoring in fine studio arts and environmental studies. I am enrolled in this class because I would like to become more aware and be more educated in the field of modern technology that collects data about our environment.

Before this reading I had heard of GIS but never knew how impactful it is on society. Reading this actually blew my mind because I never realized how much of our everyday lives is controlled by GIS. Everything from healthcare tracking disease outbreaks to corporate businesses and even law enforcement is constantly using this. 

But what really stood out to me, especially looking at it from an art and environmental perspective, is how much the whole point of it has changed. When it first beganIan the man who started the whole “overlay”, was just stacking pieces of tracing paper on top of each other on a table. It was a hands-on, artistic process, and he was doing it to conserve the environment. He wanted to make sure highways wouldn’t bulldoze over forests or ruin wildlife habitats. It was constructed to help humans stop being so destructive. But looking at today’s world, it seems like the purpose of it has completely flipped. Now it just feels extremely commercialized and highly benefits corporations. Instead of saving nature, giant companies just use it to track our digital interest and spy on our buying habits. Just to figure out where to put a new Starbucks or anything else trending on the average consumers list. It went from protecting the environment to mostly fueling giant corporations.

It also made a lot of sense to me why people back in 1988 were arguing and divided over the evolution of computers and GIS. Some geographers wanted the computer to analyze spatial data, but others wanted to print the maps out so humans could then interpret the data for themselves by using their eyes and identifying  patterns using intuition. This is very similar to what modern society is debating right now with AI. It demonstrates that if we aren’t careful, the tech we build to help us understand the world might just end up being used by big corporations to control and monitor us.

This map monitor and tracks areas growing and monitoring milkweed and native plant species as well as the monarch butterfly species withing the documented areas.

Wright, Dr. Dawn. “To Save the Monarch Butterfly: Taking Action with Maps.” Esri, 10 May 2024, www.esri.com/about/newsroom/blog/mapping-to-save-monarchs.

This map has Native American mound location mapped around the USA specifically the midwest to east.

Google My Maps, Google, www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1R2PaO3dIlkDTiJnG2mvYUjzEtsE&shorturl=1&utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic&ll=35.97229958940984%2C-85.97012846250001&z=5. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.