Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysis
Applying ArcGIS Pro
1st Edition
Published on 14. August 2025
Book
Hardback
560 pages
978-1-394-25216-9 (ISBN)
Description
Unique and authoritative reference combining concepts, theories, and hands-on analysis in the ArcGIS Pro software environment
Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysis bridges the gap between academic discussions and research with public and private professional practices in the field. The book discusses and illustrates essential concepts and theories, with tutorials showing students how to conduct hands-on analysis in the ArcGIS Pro software environment.
Supplementary material for this text includes data files for the tutorials and student exercises. All datasets are sourced from public domains, including the US Census Bureau data, the New York State ITS Geospatial Services, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the GIS Services of Erie County New York, and others.
Written by a highly qualified academic, the book covers topics such as:
Digital data models representing geographic information, including vector, raster, and 3D models
Methods of spatial data input in vector and raster data formats to incorporate geographic features and events with their attribute data
Geographic data collections in natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences, and relational, spatial, and structural querying of a database
Coordinate systems, map projection, geo-referencing, geographic analyses, and internet-enabled geographic information sharing
Spatial interpolation and spatial statistical analysis, network analysis, digital mapping, and map presentations
Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysis is an essential reference for GIS analysts and technicians, urban planners, civil engineers, and computer scientists, along with students in related programs of study.
Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysis bridges the gap between academic discussions and research with public and private professional practices in the field. The book discusses and illustrates essential concepts and theories, with tutorials showing students how to conduct hands-on analysis in the ArcGIS Pro software environment.
Supplementary material for this text includes data files for the tutorials and student exercises. All datasets are sourced from public domains, including the US Census Bureau data, the New York State ITS Geospatial Services, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), the GIS Services of Erie County New York, and others.
Written by a highly qualified academic, the book covers topics such as:
Digital data models representing geographic information, including vector, raster, and 3D models
Methods of spatial data input in vector and raster data formats to incorporate geographic features and events with their attribute data
Geographic data collections in natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences, and relational, spatial, and structural querying of a database
Coordinate systems, map projection, geo-referencing, geographic analyses, and internet-enabled geographic information sharing
Spatial interpolation and spatial statistical analysis, network analysis, digital mapping, and map presentations
Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysis is an essential reference for GIS analysts and technicians, urban planners, civil engineers, and computer scientists, along with students in related programs of study.
Reviews / Votes
"Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysis is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to GIS at the college level. It is well-suited as a primary textbook for undergraduate courses, while also serving as a valuable resource for self-directed learners seeking to build a strong foundation in GIS.Dr. Tang effectively integrates core GIS concepts with real-world applications and hands-on tutorials, creating a balanced learning experience that is both practical and intellectually grounded. The inclusion of applied examples helps bridge theory and practice (an essential component for developing competent GIS professionals).
I will admit a degree of bias in appreciating the inclusion of New York State-based examples. These case studies are a gratifying reminder of the sustained effort by the team I led in developing and maintaining the New York State GIS Clearinghouse, supported by contributions from agencies across all levels of government and sectors.
The book progresses logically, beginning with foundational principles of GIS and advancing through key topics such as data processing, spatial analysis, and digital cartography. The accompanying website, which provides datasets for eleven tutorial exercises, significantly enhances the learning experience by enabling readers to apply concepts in a structured, hands-on manner.
Overall, this text is a strong contribution to GIS education and a practical guide for anyone looking to understand and apply GIS in real-world contexts."
-Frank Winters, Former New York State Geographic Information Officer (GIO) Chair, National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) Advocacy Committee Board Member, National Geospatial Collaborative (NGC)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
John Wiley & Sons Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 185 mm
Width: 262 mm
Thickness: 34 mm
Weight
1238 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-394-25216-9 (9781394252169)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2025
1st Edition
Wiley
€112.99
Available for download
E-Book
08/2025
1st Edition
Wiley
€112.99
Available for download
Person
Tao Tang is a Professor of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing in the Department of Geosciences at Buffalo State University and The State University of New York (SUNY). Along with GIS and remote sensing, he also teaches map interpretation, physical geography, and the geography of Asia. Some of his research interests include slope form and processes, environmental modeling, and watershed management.
Content
Preface x
Acknowledgment xi
About the Author xii
About the Companion Website xiii
Part I Foundations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 1
1 Introduction to Analyses in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 3
Concepts and Theories 3
What Is an Information System? 6
What Does Geography Study? 7
What Is a GIS? 7
2 Digital Data Models Representing Geographic Information 37
Concepts and Theories 37
Vector Data Format 37
Points 38
Lines 39
Polygons or Areas 39
Raster Data Format 46
Run-length Encoding 49
Quadtree Method 50
Tracing or Digitizing 52
Extracting Vector Objects in Points, Lines, or Polygons from Raster Data 53
3D GIS Data Models or Data Format 53
Triangulated Irregular Network 53
Digital Elevation Models 54
LiDAR Point Cloud 54
Part II Fundamentals of Geographic Information Data Processing 81
3 Geographic Information Database and Database Management 83
Concepts and Theories 83
Methods of Spatial Data Input in Vector and Raster Data Formats 84
Incorporating Geographic Features and Events with Their Attribute Data 88
RDB, Spatial, and Structural Querying of Database 91
4 Geographic Information Data Gathering and Data Collections 121
Concepts and Theories 121
Geographic Information Primary (Original) Data Collections 121
Geographic Data Collections in Natural Science and Engineering: Survey of Geospatial Data 122
Geographic Data Collections in Social Sciences 130
Remote Sensing as the Method of GI Data Collections 133
5 Coordinate Systems, Map Projection, and Geo-referencing in GIS 171
Concepts and Theories 171
Modeling of the Earth 171
Horizontal and Vertical Datums for Measuring and Representing GIS Data 172
Geographic Coordinate System and Projected Coordinate Systems for GIS Data Referencing 172
Relative Geographic Coordinate (Referencing) Systems 184
Linear Referencing System 195
Part III Fundamentals of Geographic Information Analysis 217
6 Basic Spatial (Geographic) Analyses in Vector Data Environment 219
Concepts and Theories 219
Distance Calculation, Extract Spatial Data, and Create New Datasets 219
Buffering Operations 224
Overlay Spatial Data and Create New Datasets 226
Add and Calculate Attribute Fields in Spatial Datasets 232
Summarize, Calculate Statistics, and Aggregate Attributes or Features for Spatial Datasets 233
Model Relationships of Spatial Objects and Features 234
Discover Geographic Patterns of Spatial Objects and Features 237
7 Basic Spatial Analyses in Raster Data Environment 261
Concepts and Theories 261
Distance Operations 262
Local Raster Operations 265
Neighborhood or Focal Operations 269
Zonal Operations 270
Global Operations 271
Spatial Data (Map) Algebra 272
8 Three-dimensional (3D) Spatial Analyses 305
Concepts and Theories 305
Urban and Regional Planning 306
Part IV Advanced Concepts and Applications of Geographic Information Analysis 347
9 Spatial Interpolation and Spatial Statistical Analysis 349
Concepts and Theories 349
Spatial Descriptive Statistics 349
Spatial Inferential Statistics 357
Multi-variable Spatial Statistical Analysis 365
10 Network Analysis 417
Concepts and Theories 417
Utility or River Network Analysis 418
Fully Functioning or Transportation Network Analysis 430
11 Spatial (Geographic) Modeling in GIS and Issues of GIS Software Enhancement 471
Concepts and Theories 471
GIS Spatial Analysis and GIS Spatial Modeling 471
Part V Geographic Information Presentations and Digital Mapping 509
12 Digital Mapping, Map Presentations, Cartography, and Geographic Information Sharing - A Summary 511
Concepts and Theories 511
Principles of Symbolizing the Spatial Data on Digital Maps 512
Principles of Color and Color Schemes on Digital Maps 513
Attribute Data Types and Thematic Mapping in GIS 516
Symbolization of Vector Data on Digital Maps 517
Map Scale and Abstraction 521
Index 545
Acknowledgment xi
About the Author xii
About the Companion Website xiii
Part I Foundations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 1
1 Introduction to Analyses in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 3
Concepts and Theories 3
What Is an Information System? 6
What Does Geography Study? 7
What Is a GIS? 7
2 Digital Data Models Representing Geographic Information 37
Concepts and Theories 37
Vector Data Format 37
Points 38
Lines 39
Polygons or Areas 39
Raster Data Format 46
Run-length Encoding 49
Quadtree Method 50
Tracing or Digitizing 52
Extracting Vector Objects in Points, Lines, or Polygons from Raster Data 53
3D GIS Data Models or Data Format 53
Triangulated Irregular Network 53
Digital Elevation Models 54
LiDAR Point Cloud 54
Part II Fundamentals of Geographic Information Data Processing 81
3 Geographic Information Database and Database Management 83
Concepts and Theories 83
Methods of Spatial Data Input in Vector and Raster Data Formats 84
Incorporating Geographic Features and Events with Their Attribute Data 88
RDB, Spatial, and Structural Querying of Database 91
4 Geographic Information Data Gathering and Data Collections 121
Concepts and Theories 121
Geographic Information Primary (Original) Data Collections 121
Geographic Data Collections in Natural Science and Engineering: Survey of Geospatial Data 122
Geographic Data Collections in Social Sciences 130
Remote Sensing as the Method of GI Data Collections 133
5 Coordinate Systems, Map Projection, and Geo-referencing in GIS 171
Concepts and Theories 171
Modeling of the Earth 171
Horizontal and Vertical Datums for Measuring and Representing GIS Data 172
Geographic Coordinate System and Projected Coordinate Systems for GIS Data Referencing 172
Relative Geographic Coordinate (Referencing) Systems 184
Linear Referencing System 195
Part III Fundamentals of Geographic Information Analysis 217
6 Basic Spatial (Geographic) Analyses in Vector Data Environment 219
Concepts and Theories 219
Distance Calculation, Extract Spatial Data, and Create New Datasets 219
Buffering Operations 224
Overlay Spatial Data and Create New Datasets 226
Add and Calculate Attribute Fields in Spatial Datasets 232
Summarize, Calculate Statistics, and Aggregate Attributes or Features for Spatial Datasets 233
Model Relationships of Spatial Objects and Features 234
Discover Geographic Patterns of Spatial Objects and Features 237
7 Basic Spatial Analyses in Raster Data Environment 261
Concepts and Theories 261
Distance Operations 262
Local Raster Operations 265
Neighborhood or Focal Operations 269
Zonal Operations 270
Global Operations 271
Spatial Data (Map) Algebra 272
8 Three-dimensional (3D) Spatial Analyses 305
Concepts and Theories 305
Urban and Regional Planning 306
Part IV Advanced Concepts and Applications of Geographic Information Analysis 347
9 Spatial Interpolation and Spatial Statistical Analysis 349
Concepts and Theories 349
Spatial Descriptive Statistics 349
Spatial Inferential Statistics 357
Multi-variable Spatial Statistical Analysis 365
10 Network Analysis 417
Concepts and Theories 417
Utility or River Network Analysis 418
Fully Functioning or Transportation Network Analysis 430
11 Spatial (Geographic) Modeling in GIS and Issues of GIS Software Enhancement 471
Concepts and Theories 471
GIS Spatial Analysis and GIS Spatial Modeling 471
Part V Geographic Information Presentations and Digital Mapping 509
12 Digital Mapping, Map Presentations, Cartography, and Geographic Information Sharing - A Summary 511
Concepts and Theories 511
Principles of Symbolizing the Spatial Data on Digital Maps 512
Principles of Color and Color Schemes on Digital Maps 513
Attribute Data Types and Thematic Mapping in GIS 516
Symbolization of Vector Data on Digital Maps 517
Map Scale and Abstraction 521
Index 545