Acquisition and processing of vegetation data

Content

Geographical Information management, seen as a more general term and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used in a wide variety of fields. These methods are standard for all sciences dealing with spatial patterns (e.g. ecology).
This course uses a object-oriented approach, like in informatics, but also in most natural sciences. Objects of nature will be reproduced to abstract data structures, processed and analyzed by means of up to date data processing methods. Examples coming from ecology, specially vegetation ecology, will be used and help to explain the setup and use of a GIS.
An introduction to geo-dataprocessing will be given and a basic understanding of data processing and conversion of anlaogue data to digital datasets should be achieved. Basics of data structures, data types and data modells will be presented, as well as how those basic considerations have to be considered already during the planing phase of research in the field of vegetation ecology.
An introduction to map-making, coordinate systems and transformations will be given and also possible errors will be discussed, besides possible sources for basic data like aerial imagery.

Aim of this course is the development of a digital vegetation map on the basis of available data, which covers all cartographic standards and which could present the basis for further research (monitoring, vegetation changes).

Script, Links

There is a script only in German (sorry) as .pdf-File (Acrobat Reader) (3,5 MB)

Links, specially on data base design

• Access Training Tips
• SQL-Zoo ;-), Online Training for SQL
• Efficient database design
• step-by-step guides to using databases
• Database Design Guide

• Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) and Military Grid Reference System (MGRS)

Literature (in German)

• Barthelme, N., 2000: Geoinformatik: Modelle, Strukturen, Funktionen. Springer Verlag, 3. erw. u. aktual. Aufl. Berlin u.a., 419pp. Standort: Fakultätsbibliothek: Lehrbuchsammlung 36.2
• Star, J.,Estes, J., 1990: Geographic Inforamtion Systems. An Introduction. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey. 303pp. Standort: Fakultätsbibliothek: 36.2.76
• Bill, R.,Fritsch, D., 1994: Grundlagen der Geo-Informationssysteme. Bd. 1 Hardware, Software und Daten. 3. Auflage. Wichmann Verlag, Heidelberg. 415pp. Standort: Fakultätsbibliothek: Lehrbuchsammlung 36.2
• Olbrich, G.,Quick, M.,Schweikart, J., 1994: Computerkartographie. Eine Einführung in das Desktop Mapping am PC. Springer Verlag. Berlin u.a. 268pp. Standort: Fakultätsbibliothek: 36.1.43

Contact, questions: albin "at" albinblaschka.info