GIS have many features in common with these systems, the major characteristics in
spatial analytical operation have created unique features in GIS (Goodchild 1988).
Goodchild (1987) defined spatial analysis as a “set of analytical methods to access
both attribute and location information of study objects.”
One motivation of the success of GIS application is the massive generation of
digital spatial data and information about the natural and cultural environment,
particularly the rapid development in satellite techniques. Since the 1990s, GIS
has been used in many commercial applications and became one of the most
dynamic computer application systems. It has been expended globally and keeps
on expanding in the future. This application has been developed from a simple
processing system to a decision support system. As GIS recently moved from
traditional stand-alone desktop computers to the World Wide Web, their function
as a brand new tool to share and communicate our knowledge become more apparent
(Sui and Goodchild 2011). The convergence of GIS and media and the emerging
new techniques in data-intensive applications have created new challenges and
shaped its future development for GIS communities.
3.3 GIS Application in Agriculture
Historically, the application of GIS in production agriculture is rather small
compared to other business sectors due to the lack of formal opportunities to
share innovations of GIS in agriculture. The value of GIS to agriculture has been
Fig. 3.1 The relationship
between GIS and other
information systems.
(Source: Maguire 1991)
3 GIS Fundamentals for Agriculture
27
spatial analytical operation have created unique features in GIS (Goodchild 1988).
Goodchild (1987) defined spatial analysis as a “set of analytical methods to access
both attribute and location information of study objects.”
One motivation of the success of GIS application is the massive generation of
digital spatial data and information about the natural and cultural environment,
particularly the rapid development in satellite techniques. Since the 1990s, GIS
has been used in many commercial applications and became one of the most
dynamic computer application systems. It has been expended globally and keeps
on expanding in the future. This application has been developed from a simple
processing system to a decision support system. As GIS recently moved from
traditional stand-alone desktop computers to the World Wide Web, their function
as a brand new tool to share and communicate our knowledge become more apparent
(Sui and Goodchild 2011). The convergence of GIS and media and the emerging
new techniques in data-intensive applications have created new challenges and
shaped its future development for GIS communities.
3.3 GIS Application in Agriculture
Historically, the application of GIS in production agriculture is rather small
compared to other business sectors due to the lack of formal opportunities to
share innovations of GIS in agriculture. The value of GIS to agriculture has been
Fig. 3.1 The relationship
between GIS and other
information systems.
(Source: Maguire 1991)
3 GIS Fundamentals for Agriculture
27