GIS in the Sciences

ERTH 4750 (38031)

Efficient and effective result presentation

with GIS

Xiaogang (Marshall) Ma
School of Science
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2013
 Acknowledgements

• This lecture is partly based on:

– Blok, C., 2006. Data visualization. E-lecture of the
Distance Course Principles of GIS. ITC, Enschede, The
Netherlands

2
 Contents

1. GIS and maps

2. The visualization process
3. Visualization and strategies
4. The cartographic ‘toolbox’
– data characteristics
– representation of these characteristics
5. Examples, how to map:
– qualitative data
– quantitative data
– (terrain or statistical) elevation, time
6. Map cosmetics: the finishing touch
7. Map dissemination

3
 1 GIS and maps

• In a GIS environment,
Data Capture and
Preparation maps can be used to:
– Input for GIS
– Communicate GIS
results
Storage and
Maintenance – Support spatial analysis

• Maps are not only final

Manipulation Data products (output)!
and Analysis Presentation

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 Map Characteristics

• Main characteristics of
maps
– 1. Maps provide
answers (in graphical
form) to questions
related to the three
basic components of
geographic data
• geographic location
(Where?)
“Where did the students of a • thematic attributes
department come from?” (What?)
• time (When?)

5
 • Main characteristics of
maps
– 1. Maps provide
answers (in graphical
form) to questions
related to the three
basic components of
geographic data
• geographic location
(Where?)
• thematic attributes
(What?)
“What is the type of land use?”
• time (When?)

6
 • Main characteristics of
maps
– 1. Maps provide
answers (in graphical
form) to questions
related to the three
basic components of
geographic data
• geographic location
(Where?)
• thematic attributes
(What?)
“When did the longest coast line • time (When?)
occur?”
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 • Main characteristics of
maps
– 2. Maps offer abstract
representations
(models) of reality,
that are:
• simplified
• classified
• symbolized

Details in the aerial photograph are

omitted from the map. For example,
cars are not symbolized in the map.
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 • Main characteristics of
maps
– 2. Maps offer abstract
representations
(models) of reality,
that are:
• simplified
• classified
• symbolized

Features in the photo are classified

using predefined criteria. For example,
roadways are classified as major or
minor roadways.
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 • Main characteristics of
maps
– 2. Maps offer abstract
representations
(models) of reality,
that are:
• simplified
• classified
• symbolized

Symbolization is used to highlight

differences in features. Major and minor
roadways are symbolized differently.
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Scale Distance
on map
Distance
in reality
• Main characteristics of
1:5,000 Large 1cm 50m maps
scale – 3. Maps are
1:1,000,000 Small 1cm 10km representations at
scale
scale

Scale: ratio between distance

on the map and corresponding
distance in reality

Maps that show much detail of a small

area are called large-scale maps. 11
Scale Distance
on map
Distance
in reality
• Main characteristics of
1:5,000 Large 1cm 50m maps
scale – 3. Maps are
1:1,000,000 Small 1cm 10km representations at
scale
scale

Scale: ratio between distance

on the map and corresponding
distance in reality

Maps that show less detail of a large

area are called small-scale maps. 12
a little more about scale

• Scale indications
– verbal
• e.g. one-inch-to-the mile
– representative fraction
• e.g. 1 : 100 000
– graphical (scale bar)
• suitable in digital environments!

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• Scale indications
– verbal
• e.g. one-inch-to-the mile
– representative fraction
• e.g. 1 : 100 000
– graphical (scale bar)
• suitable in digital environments!

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• Scale indications
– verbal
• e.g. one-inch-to-the mile
– representative fraction
• e.g. 1 : 100 000
– graphical (scale bar)
• suitable in digital environments!

• Digital graphical scale

– Advantage of scale bar in
digital environment is that its
length changes when
zooming in or out

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 Definition of a Map

• Now we can have a

definition for the map
• A map is:
– a representation or
abstraction of geographic
reality; a tool for
representing geographic
information in a way that is
visual, digital or tactile.
– a reduced and simplified
representation of (parts of)
These maps can be perceived visually,
the Earth’s surface on a
on a computer screen or printed map
plane.
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 • A map is:
– a representation or
abstraction of geographic
reality; a tool for
representing geographic
information in a way that is
visual, digital or tactile.
– a reduced and simplified
representation of (parts of)
the Earth’s surface on a
plane.
These maps are stored in a database

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 • A map is:
– a representation or
abstraction of geographic
reality; a tool for
representing geographic
information in a way that is
visual, digital or tactile.
– a reduced and simplified
representation of (parts of)
the Earth’s surface on a
plane.
A tactile map is a map for blind or
seriously visually impaired users, it can
be perceived by touch instead of visually.
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 Types of Maps

• Traditional distinction in
maps
– topographic maps
• accurate representation of the
Earth’s topography
– thematic maps
• one or more particular themes
are emphasized

A topographic map of the New

York state.

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 • Traditional distinction in
(a) maps
– topographic maps
• accurate representation of the
Earth’s topography
– thematic maps
• one or more particular themes
are emphasized

(b) • Less relevant distinction

in a digital environment
(a) New York County Map
(b) New York Rivers Map
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 Map dimensions

• You can distinguish types of

maps based on the number
of dimensions used for the
representation:
– Flat (2D)
– Flat + Height (3D)
– Flat + Height + Time (4D)

2 dimensional (flat) representation of

the ITC building and surroundings.

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 • You can distinguish types of
maps based on the number
of dimensions used for the
representation:
– Flat (1D, 2D)
– Flat + Height (3D)
– Flat + Height + Time (4D)

3 dimensional (flat + height)

representation of the ITC building.

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 • You can distinguish types of
maps based on the number
of dimensions used for the
representation:
– Flat (1D, 2D)
– Flat + Height (3D)
– Flat + Height + Time (4D)
– Flat + Height + Time + Scale
(5D?)

4 dimensional (flat + height +time)

representation of the ITC building, at
three moments in time during its
construction.
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 2 The visualization process

• Maps are the result of a visualization process

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 Cartographic Tools

• Visualization methods
and techniques are
applied using
cartographic ‘tools’:
– functions
• (e.g. algorithms)
– rules
• (e.g. generalization,
cartographic grammar)
– habits or conventions
An algorithm can be used to smooth • (e.g. water is represented in
lines and improve the appearance of blue)
features.
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 • Visualization methods
and techniques are
applied using
cartographic ‘tools’:
– functions
• (e.g. algorithms)
– rules
• (e.g. generalization,
cartographic grammar)
– habits or conventions
• (e.g. water is represented in
Rules tell us to use proportional blue)
symbols to display absolute quantities.

26
 • Visualization methods
and techniques are
applied using
cartographic ‘tools’:
– functions
• (e.g. algorithms)
– rules
• (e.g. generalization,
cartographic grammar)
– habits or conventions
• (e.g. water is represented in
Traditionally water is represented in blue)
blue.
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 3 Visualization and strategies

• ‘Visualization’ has several meanings:

– generic: to make info visible (presentation in graphical
form)
– more specific: to use sophisticated computer
technology and ‘toolboxes’ to make data/info visible for
specific use: visual exploration
this process is often called:
• scientific visualization: meant to stimulate thinking
• keywords: interaction, dynamics

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 Geovisualization

• Two main strategies of

visualization: exploration,
presentation
– private visual thinking: involves
an individual playing with the
spatial data to determine its
significance
– public visual communication:
concerns maps aimed at a wide
audience
• If maps are visually explored,
we also talk about
geovisualization

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• Geovisualization is accelerated by:
– the possibility to generate maps at any stage in
geoinformation processing
– hard- and software developments
– new output media
– changing needs / expectations of users
– availability of abundant data, from different sources

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 Cartographic visualization process

• The cartographic
communication process,
based on “How do I say what
to whom, and is it effective?”

• Information loss or gain:

Information derived by the
map user is not the same as
the information that the
cartographic communication
process started with.
Information loss refers to that fact that not all info put into the map by
the map maker is (usually) extracted by the user. Gain refers to the fact
that, because of background knowledge or experience, uses might also
understand (gain) information that is not really included in the map. 31
 4 The cartographic ‘toolbox’

• Analysis of the
characteristics of data
– What is the common
‘denominator’? Used for
the title of the map
(theme, area, year)
– What is the nature of
the data or What are the
measurement scales ?

The common denominator refers to a common label for all the

attributes/attribute values that are mapped (here: geological units).
The nature of this data, geologic units, is qualitative and is measured
on a nominal scale.
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Measurement scales are linked to the way in which
people perceive visual variables

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• Basic elements of a map:
– point symbols
– line symbols
– area symbols
– text
• These elements can all
be varied in appearance

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Bertin’s visual variables

• Bertin’s visual variables:

an elementary way in
which point, line and area
symbols can be graphically
varied.

– size
– color
– value (lightness)
– grain/ texture
– orientation
– form/shape

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• The visual variables enable observers to perceive:
– what belongs together, or is of equal importance
(e.g. all red symbols represent danger)
– order
(e.g. the population density varies from low to high,
represented by light and dark color tints, respectively)
– quantities
(e.g. symbols changing in size with small symbols for
small amounts)
– an instant overview of the whole representation

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 5 Examples

• How to map:
– qualitative data
– absolute quantitative data
– relative quantitative data
– terrain elevation
– thematic data in 3D
– time series

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How to map qualitative data

• What is the common

denominator of the data?
Watersheds
• What is the nature of the
data?
qualitative (nominal)

• Solution: Colors of equal

visual weight or brightness
which allow the user to
quickly differentiate between
watersheds.

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 How NOT to map qualitative data

Map image suggests differences Misuse of bright color results

in importance, but that is NOT in attention to specific area on
what you want to communicate the map
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How to map absolute quantitative data

• What is the common

denominator of the data?
number of inhabitants
• What is the nature of the
data?
absolute quantitative

• Solution: symbols varying

in size

40
 How NOT to map absolute quantitative
data

Value does not enable estimation of The applied four-color scheme

differences in absolute quantities, makes it impossible to infer whether
only order. User is left asking "here red represents more populated areas
there is more, but how much?" than blue. No perception of order.
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How to map relative quantitative data

• What is the common

denominator of the data?
Number of inhabitants/sq km
• What is the nature of the data?
relative quantitative

• Solution: Value has been used

to display the density from low
(light tints) to high (dark tints)

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 How NOT to map relative quantitative
data

The values tints are out of sequence,

No perception of order
the user will perceive wrong order
(e.g. darkest is not highest in density)
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 How to map the terrain elevation

• Different methods to
map terrain elevation:
– Contours
– Layer tints
– Shaded relief
– 3D view

Cartographic technique where lines

connect points of equal elevation at a
selected interval.

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 • Different methods to
map terrain elevation:
– Contours
– Layer tints
– Shaded relief
– 3D view

A cartographic technique of showing relief on

maps by coloring in different shades those
parts which lie between selected levels.

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 • Different methods to
map terrain elevation:
– Contours
– Layer tints
– Shaded relief
– 3D view

Cartographic technique where lines

connect points of equal elevation at a
selected interval.

46
 • Different methods to
map terrain elevation:
– Contours
– Layer tints
– Shaded relief
– 3D view

Cartographic technique where lines

connect points of equal elevation at a
selected interval.

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How to map the thematic data in 3D

• Statistical (socio-economic
data) can also be
represented a an elevated
surface. Here, the
municipalities in the
province of Overijssel are
elevated proportionally to
their number of inhabitants.
The resulting map is called
a 'prism map'

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How to map time series

• Single static map: specific graphic

variables and symbols are used to
indicate change or represent an
event

• Series of Static Maps: A single map

in the series represents a ‘snapshot’
in time. Together, the maps depict a
process of change.

• Animated map: Change is perceived

to happen in a single image by
displaying several snapshots after
each other, just like a video.

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6 Map cosmetics: the finishing touch

1. Additional information
marginal info (or
metadata): makes the
map more usable

2. Adding text improves the

identification of features

3. Contrast improves overall

map legibility

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1. Additional information
marginal info (or
metadata): makes the
map more usable

2. Adding text improves the

identification of features

3. Contrast improves overall

map legibility

51
1. Additional information
marginal info (or
metadata): makes the
map more usable

2. Adding text improves the

identification of features

3. Contrast improves overall

map legibility

52
 6 Map dissemination (output)

• Map design is influenced by:

– data characteristics & user strategies (see before)
– output medium, e.g., paper or screen maps

• Screen maps:
– often smaller
– legend is not always visible

and they enable:

– access to a data base
– links to other data
– embedding in multimedia
– dynamics and interaction

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 Web maps

• The Web as output medium increases the functions of

maps:
– insight in spatial data (traditional role)
– interface to additional information / services
– previews of data that can be acquired

• Classification of maps on the Web

– Static maps
– Dynamic maps

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Some historical maps of interest

Leo Belgicus, a map of

the low countries
drawn in the shape of
a lion, by Claes Jansz.
Visscher (II), 1609

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Netherlands -
Principal Industries,
from Map No. 76863,
by the U.S. Central
Intelligence Agency,
1970

56
Monthly Average Temperature,
from The National Atlas of the United States of America, 1970. p.102-103 57
 Sites for maps of interest

• http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/

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 Summary

• Role of map in a GIS environment: more than just output

• Basics: how to translate characteristics of spatial data into
symbols on a map, with particular attention to:
– analysis of the measurement scale of the data
– measurement scales can be linked to perception properties of
visual variables
– selection of those variables that best translate the nature of the
data
• After translation of the data, the map has to be finalized to
make it usable (taking care of visual contrast, adding text,
marginal information)
• Finally the map is disseminated to users, e.g. via
hardcopies or the Web
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• Reading assignments for this week
– MapInfo Professional 11.0 User Guide
• Chapter 12 Stylizing your map for presentations and publishing
• Chapter 16 Working with data from a web service

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 Next classes

• Friday class:
– Lecture: Dr. Gavin Schmidt, " What are climate models
good for?"
– When: Friday, April 19, 2013 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
– Where: EMPAC Concert Hall

• Next Tuesday
– Guest lecture: Dr. David Rossiter, Advanced topics in
point pattern analysis

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