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Spatial Analysis

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Environmental Geoinformatics

Part of the book series: Environmental Science and Engineering ((ENVSCIENCE))

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Abstract

The most important function of GIS is the analysis of spatial data and their attributes for purposes of decision support. Indeed, spatial analysis is the very crux of GIS. It is the means of adding value to geographic data that allows the conversion of data into useful information and knowledge. As a data mining procedure, spatial analysis helps the GIS user to reveal inherent anomalies, patterns and relationships in GIS data sets that might not be otherwise apparent. This gives more insight into a place and helps in focusing and prioritizing actions or decisions. Strictly speaking, and at a higher level, one may distinguish between analysis and modeling as shown in Table 17.1. However, for purposes of the discussion here-under, the generic terminology analysis is used.

“Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things.”

First law of geography—Waldo Tobler.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Spatial Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, P.O. Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Joseph L. Awange

  2. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Joseph L. Awange

  3. Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Joseph L. Awange

  4. School of Environment, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya

    Joseph L. Awange

  5. Geospatial and Space Technology, University of Nairobi, Harry Thuku Way, Nairobi, 30197, Kenya

    John B. Kyalo Kiema

Authors
  1. Joseph L. Awange
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  2. John B. Kyalo Kiema
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Correspondence to Joseph L. Awange .

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© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Awange, J.L., Kyalo Kiema, J.B. (2013). Spatial Analysis. In: Environmental Geoinformatics. Environmental Science and Engineering(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34085-7_17

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