Land and Geographic Information Systems (LIS & GIS)
Land Information Systems (LIS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer-based tools that let us store, analyze, and display information tied to locations on Earth.
Simple Explanation: Imagine stacking many transparent maps—one showing roads, another showing rivers, and another showing property lines. LIS and GIS let us layer these “maps” digitally to see how everything fits together.
Where LIS & GIS Are Used
- Natural resource management (forests, water, minerals).
- Facilities siting and management (placing buildings, utilities).
- Land records modernization (updating property databases).
- Demographic and market analysis (population, sales areas).
- Emergency response and fleet operations (dispatching vehicles).
- Infrastructure management (roads, bridges, pipelines).
- Environmental monitoring (regional to global).
Where the Data Comes From
Data for LIS and GIS can come from many places:
- New surveys (ground, aerial, satellite).
- Existing maps, charts, and legal documents.
- Aerial and satellite photographs.
- Tabulated data and statistics (population, land use).
Common Themes (Layers) in GIS
- Political boundaries and property ownership.
- Population distribution and demographics.
- Transportation networks and utilities.
- Hydrography (lakes, rivers, coastlines).
- Soil types, land use, and vegetation.
- Wetlands and environmental zones.
Why Surveyors Are Essential
All data in LIS and GIS must share the same geographic reference framework so layers line up correctly. Surveyors (geomatics engineers) provide this framework by:
- Establishing control points for accurate positioning.
- Conducting boundary surveys and legal descriptions.
- Performing topographic and hydrographic surveys.
- Compiling, digitizing, and validating map data.
- Integrating various digital data files into the system.
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