3 GIS Data Structure

SPATIAL & NON-SPATIAL DATA
Spatial Data
Orientation of the object
Shape
Relative position with respect to other features
More importantly, defined and described by
coordinates (x,y)
Non-Spatial
Known as attribute data
Length, area, density, depth of soil, lithologies
In tabular form
SPATIAL DATA: OBJECTS IN A MAP
Lithology map & landslides distribution
NON-SPATIAL DATA: ATTRIBUTES

Also known as attribute
data
Mainly tabular data
representing rows and
columns
Rows representing
individual sampling
points
Column represent
properties/parameter
for the respective
sampling points
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPATIAL &

NON-SPATIAL DATA
Each object is
identified by
descriptions
DATA STRUCTURE
Data Structure
Vector
Raster
Grid
Line
Point
Polygon
VECTOR STRUCTURE
Also known as spaghetti model
Presented as
a)Point
b)Line
c)Polygon
All three structures (point, line, polygon) are basic
topological concept
Containing coordinates
Usually accompanied with non-spatial data
Ways of input includes digitizing using manual digitising
or on screen digitising (on the fly)
VECTOR STRUCTURE: POINT

spatial object with no
area
geographical
representation of
coordinates (lat, long)
wells, landslide locations,
sampling stations, electric
pole
Landslide locations
VECTOR STRUCTURE: LINE

connected sequence
of points
no area
the line itself is not a
coordinate location,
but coordinate/location
along a line is defined
at a specific point
Lineaments, roads,
drainage line, contour
lines
Drainage
VECTOR STRUCTURE: POLYGON

A closed area
Usually divided into
different area
Land use,
geological map,
soil map
Soil map
TOPOLOGY IN VECTOR DATA

The way in which features in GIS are connected to
each other
Spatial relationship between features (e.g. overlap,
adjacency, connectivity

Entity
Requirement
Point
Geographical reference
Line
Ordered set of points with define start

and end points which also give the line
direction
Area (polygon)
How the line or point is connected to

define the boundary
http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/summer02articles/arcgis83-brings.html
REPRESENTING VECTOR DATA
emyshoran.blogspot.com
RASTER DATA STRUCTURE

Continuous surface
Represented by pixels
Each pixel carries value
Slope angle map, slope
curvature map, elevation
map
Raster type elevation map
TRANSFORMING VECTOR TO RASTER
Vector elevation data (contour)
Raster elevation data
Vector on Raster
www.automation-drive.com
ADVANTAGE: VECTOR & RASTER

Vector
Raster
Good representation of the real

world
Compact data structure
Topology can be described
Accurate graphics
Retrieval, updating and
generalisation of graphics and
attributes are possible
graphic output is easy to
visualise
No data conversion is needed
Geographic location of data
can be retained
Simple data structures

Overlay /combination of data
with remotely sensed data is
easy
Spatial analysis is easy
Simulation is easy because of
the size and shape are the
same (pixel)
Good for continuous data (e.g.
elevation, slope angle)
DISADVANTAGE: VECTOR & RASTER

Vector
Complex data structure
Overlay of data is difficult
Analysis is difficult
Unsuitable to represent
continuous data (e.g. elevation,
slope angle)
Raster
Resolution problem
Unsuitable to represent linear or curvy
lines
Choice of resolution and problem with
generalisation occur when converting
vector to raster
High volumes of data (the higher the
resolution, the more time it takes for
processing)
Simplification of high volume data to
reduce data size will involve
generalisation
Not as beautiful as vector in terms of
presentation
Network linkages is hard to establish
DATA ERROR
Terminology:
a) Error: How far is the departure/difference from the real
value
b) Accuracy: The degree of the measured data close to its
true value
c) Precision: The level of detail. 160. 153m is more precise
than 160m
d) Bias: Consistency error
e) Resolution: How well the smallest feature can be
captured in the data
f) Generalisation: the degree of simplification when
handling the data
http://www.nuim.ie/staff/dpringle/gis/gis11.pdf
SOURCES OF DATA ERROR

a) Data Input Error
I.
Primary error
The original dataset such as a hardcopy map already containing
error, therefore the input data into the GIS system will also contain
this error
II. Secondary error
Refers to the errors that occurred during the process of entering the
data
b) Data Processing Error
Conversion of vector to raster. Converting vector to raster will result
in topological error. The real representation of vector will also
change due to the selection of cell size in the conversion process.
Small features may also lost due to cell size choices
http://www.nuim.ie/staff/dpringle/gis/gis11.pdf
SOURCES OF DATA ERROR

c) Non-spatial error
Refers to attribute error where error occurred during
description/name/label were mistakenly entered by user
d) Conceptual error
Refers to how different people view the real world. For example,
how do you view a building in GIS, a point or polygon
e) To err is human
bionic eye
shaky hand
perception
patience
intelligence
distraction-your phone?
DATA ERROR EXAMPLE : SHRINK MAP
mappinglondon.co.uk
EXAMPLE DATA ERROR: CONVERSION
Rasterize
Vector
Raster
Rasterize
http://tutor.nmmu.ac.za/uniGISRegisteredArea/Material/Module%206/Adobe%20Files/C6%20S
ection02.pdf
Elevation in raster
Contour lines
generated from raster
Original contour
lines
How do you
perceive a
feature
Point?
Polygon?
How do you
perceive a
feature
2 lines?
1 line?
REFERENCES
Advantage & Disadvantage of Data structure
http://planet.botany.uwc.ac.za/nisl/GIS/GIS_primer/pag
e_19.htm
Chandra, A.M. & Ghosh, S.K. 2006. Remote Sensing and
geographical information system. Alpha Science: Oxford
Bonham-Carter, G.F. 1994. Geographic Information
Systems for Geoscientists: Modelling with GIS. Ontario:
Pergamon
Burrough, P.A. 1991. Principles of Geographical
Information Systems for Land Resources Assessment.
Oxford: Calendron Press
For internal circulation only

3 GIS Data Structure

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

3 GIS Data Structure

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

3 GIS Data Structure

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SPATIAL & NON-SPATIAL DATA

SPATIAL DATA: OBJECTS IN A MAP

Lithology map & landslides distribution

NON-SPATIAL DATA: ATTRIBUTES

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPATIAL &

VECTOR STRUCTURE: POINT

VECTOR STRUCTURE: LINE

VECTOR STRUCTURE: POLYGON

TOPOLOGY IN VECTOR DATA

TOPOLOGY IN VECTOR DATA

Ordered set of points with define start

How the line or point is connected to

TOPOLOGY IN VECTOR DATA

REPRESENTING VECTOR DATA

RASTER DATA STRUCTURE

Raster type elevation map

TRANSFORMING VECTOR TO RASTER

Vector elevation data (contour)

Raster elevation data

ADVANTAGE: VECTOR & RASTER

Good representation of the real

Simple data structures

DISADVANTAGE: VECTOR & RASTER

SOURCES OF DATA ERROR

SOURCES OF DATA ERROR

DATA ERROR EXAMPLE : SHRINK MAP

EXAMPLE DATA ERROR: CONVERSION

EXAMPLE DATA ERROR: CONVERSION

EXAMPLE DATA ERROR: CONVERSION

You might also like