GIS and Remote

Sensing

Kedir Mohammed
Contact information: kedir.mohammed@amu.edu.et
Course Title GIS and Remote Sensing

Credit Hours 3 (L= 02 T= 03)

Aims and The aim of the course is to familiarize the students with the emerging technologies
Objectives and tools applicable in watershed and water resources management hydrology
and satellite data gathering techniques
Outline Introduction to GIS and QGIS
Syllabus Geographic Information and spatial data type
Spatial data analysis
Application of GIS in hydrologic/water resources, etc.
GIS/RS techniques for groundwater potential assessment prospection
Introduction to Remote Sensing
Electromagnetic Energy and Remote Sensing
Sensors and Platforms
Image Processing and digital image classification
Application of remote sensing to hydrology/water resources, etc.
Tentative 50 % assignments & presentations on GIS and Remote sensing and 50% Mid &
Assessment Final Examination
References Any Material on GIS and Remote sensing applicable to water resources.
Introduction to Geographic
Information Systems
 Why is Geography Important?

Because almost all activities, and decisions, involve

Geography
 What is Geospatial?

Geo(latin):
I. The earth

Spatial:
I. Relating to, occupying or having the
character of space
II. of or relating to facility for perceiving
relations(as of objects) in space
 What about Geospatial Science

Geospatial Sciences are the

study of “where” objects or
phenomena are and how they
relate to each other

Generally relating to the earth

surface(or near surface)
 Knowing “Where” is very important

Since almost everything happens somewhere,

knowing where that something happen is critical.
For example, Flooding in Afar and Jigjiga
region-2016

• Path
Why? • Evacuations
• Damage
• Utilities
Introduction to GIS
• GIS= Geographical Information System
o A computer system used for accessing, storing,
analysing and presenting spatial data
• GIS
o Is used for spatial presenting, analysis, …
o Is like a normal database but with a Geo-spatial
component
o Allows to query WHERE something is or WHAT is
found on a specific LOCATION (within a community,
near a river…)
Geospatial Technologies:
Geographic information
systems

Remote sensing

Global positioning system

Components of GIS
Introduction to GIS software's
FOSGIS VS.Proprietary GIS projects(softwares)

What distinguishes Free and Open Source Desktop GIS

(FOSGIS) projects from proprietary GIS projects?
 FOSGIS Projects

MapWindow GIS Editor Desktop GIS uDig JUMP

GRASS Kosmo Thuban OrbisGIS

iGeoDesktop OpenJUMP QGIS SAGA

uDIG, Image:
GIS Analyst gvSIG GIS Viewer ILWIS

OpenJUMP, Quantum GIS,

GRASS GIS,
 ARCGIS Vs. Quantum GIS(QGIS)
• ArcGIS: is a geographic information system (GIS)
for working with maps and geographic information
• QGIS: open Source – It comes with the right to
download, run, copy, alter, and redistribute the
software.
 Introduction to GIS software: ArcGIS
Storing / working with data in
ArcGIS
• ArcMap
o Raster data
o Vector data (shapefiles)
• GEODATABASE
= sort of “working place”
where data is
stored and managed,
common in ArcGIS
o Raster data
o Vector data (feature files)
Introduction to GIS
Introduction to GIS:Vector

points

lines

polygons
Vector and Raster
cont.. Real World

Raster Representation
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Vector Representation
0 R T
1 R T
2 H R
3 R point line
4 R R
5 R
6 R T T H
7 R T T
8 R
9 R
polygon
Introduction to GIS:Raster
Introduction to GIS:Raster

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0 1 1 1 1 1 4 4 5 5 5
corn fruit 1
2
1 1 1 1 1 4 4 5 5 5
1 1 1 1 1 4 4 5 5 5
3 1 1 1 1 1 4 4 5 5 5
4 1 1 1 1 1 4 4 5 5 5
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3

clover
wheat 5
6 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3
7 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3
8 2 2 4 4 2 2 2 3 3 3
fruit 2 2 4 4 2 2 2 3 3 3
9
 Spatial vs. Attribute data

2 3 Spatial data
(ARC functions)
4 5

COV# ZONE ZIP

1 0
2 C-19 22060
Attribute data 3
4
A-4
C-22
22061
22060
(INFO or TABLES functions) 5 A-5 22057
 Assignments

• Prepare a 10minutes presentation slide about GIS

origins? earliest civilizations - navigators,
surveyors and geographers ?

• Prepare a 10minutes presentation slide about the

FOS GIS software of slide 13?