Summary
As the nationwide and worldwide shortages of natural resources become more apparent, and demand rises, there is little doubt that managers will need to better acquire, organize and manipulate environmental data for decision-making purposes. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computerized system for processing geographic and/or mapped data. In the development of a GIS it is felt that the system should be capable of processing a wide variety of pertinent data including points, maps, lines, and aircraft or satellite derived information. The Remote Sensing and Image Processing Laboratory (RSIP), Louisiana State University, had a basic system for image processing that was expanded to incorporate the needed functions for utilizing GIS oriented capabilities. This paper will focus on two aspects of a GIS; (1) the components of and implementation of a GIS, and (2) the actual demonstration of a GIS in the management of natural resources. Demonstrations related to lignite mining, permit requirements in the coastal zone, and location of potential landfills and hazardous waste sites will be presented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dantin, E. J., Hill, J. M., Harlow, C. A., Malone, R. F. and Tittlebaum, M. E. (1981) Plan of study for evaluating the effects of lignite mining on Louisiana water resources. Final Report. Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute, College of Engineering, Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA.
Harlow, C. A. (1980) Geographic data processing systems. Technical Report. Remote Sensing and Image Processing Laboratory, College of Engineering, Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA.
Ragan, R. M. and Fellows, J. D. (1981) Remote sensing-based information management for real time hydrologic modeling on a regional scale. Final Report. Remote Sensing Systems Laboratory, Civil Engineering Department, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
John M. Hill holds a B.S. Degree from Towson State University, a M.S. Degree from the American University, and a Ph.D. in Biology from Texas A & M University. He is presently an assistant professor of Civil Engineering at Louisiana State University and is active in applied research programs within LSU's Remote Sensing and Image Processing Laboratory. His present areas of interest are pollution monitoring, water resources, and coastal zone management.
Charles A. Harlow holds a B.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas. He is presently a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Director of the Remote Sensing and Image Processing Laboratory at Louisiana State University. He has received numerous scientific and honorary awards, is active on IEEE committees, and is associate editor of Computer Graphics and Image Processing, Academic Press.
Philip M. Zimmerman holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from Louisiana State University. He was certified as an ‘Engineer in Training’ in 1980 by the Louisiana State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. An interest in environmental engineering led him to join G and E Engineering, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA where his present projects are involved with hazardous waste management.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hill, J.M., Harlow, C.A. & Zimmerman, P. Geographic information systems as applied to the manipulation of environmental data. Environmentalist 3, 33–38 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02240042
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02240042