Tag Archives: mapping
Satellite Images and GIS Aid in Disease Mapping and Surveillance
Also known as Landscape Epidemiology, which involves the identification of geographical areas where disease is transmitted. By knowing the vegetation and geologic conditions necessary for the maintenance of specific pathogens in nature, one can use the landscape to identify the spatial and temporal distribution of disease risk. Key environmental elements, including elevation, temperature, rainfall, and humidity, influence the presence, development, activity, and longevity of pathogens, vectors, zoonotic reservoirs of infection, and their interactions with humans. To view original story go here http://news.satimagingcorp.com/2009/10/satellite_images_and_gis_aid_in_disease_mapping_and_surveillance.html Vegetation type and distribution are also influenced by the environmental variables mentioned above, and can be expressed as landscape elements that can be sensed remotely and whose relationships can be modeled spatially. For the past 29 years, satellite sensors have proved to be valuable tools for describing the earth’s landscape. Since the launch of Landsat 7 and ASTER, NASA has initiated programs to integrate these technologies into the areas of forestry, agriculture, geology, and public health.Satellite images can greatly enhance a GIS mapping project. Imagery is a powerful visual aid and serves as a source of derivative information such as planimetrics and classification schemes to derive such information as land cover and change detection or vegetation classification.The use of GIS has many implications for landscape epidemiology because it provides users the ability to store, integrate, query, display, and analyze data from the molecular level to that of satellite resolution through their shared spatial components. Field observations and vector data retrieved on environmental conditions, including vegetation, water (hydrology), and topography, can be combined in a GIS mapping environment to direct interpretation of remote sensed data and facilitate characterization of the landscape in terms of vector and pathogen prevalence.The associations between disease risk variables (e.g., vector, pathogen, and reservoir host abundance and distribution) and environmental variables can be quantified… Continue reading
Geographic Information Systems and Map Services
The City’s Geographic Information System (GIS) staff provides information about the City to its citizens and employees. We maintain accurate corporate limits, streets, zoning, and many other layers of information in our City’s GIS system.
We also provide technical assistance to other departments to help them develop and maintain their own GIS information. Our staff is currently working towards creating a system from which all City employees will have real time access to our GIS information.
The most common way that we communicate GIS information with residents and employees is through maps. We can produce maps up to 34″ x 44″ in size for a minimal fee. Citizens can request a map by emailing us at mckeet@ci.charleston.sc.us, calling or coming by our office at 75 Calhoun Street. Some of our most popular maps are available online for viewing and downloading.
A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system of computer software, hardware and data, and personnel to help manipulate, analyze and present information that is tied to a spatial or geographic location. GIS is NOT a Global Positioning System (GPS) nor is it a static or paper map. Maps are a product of GIS. GIS is really a ‘smart map’. Every feature, such as a street, parcel or building is actually linked to a database that contains information about that feature such as the street name, property owner, or building height.
GIS is so powerful because it allows us to view this information in map form instead of a complex database. Additionally, because features are associated with a geographic location they know how they are related to each other. For example, a GIS can tell you what property… Continue reading