Why Use GIS?

GIS for ENGO's

Some might ask: “Why go through all the trouble, making maps and gathering data in a GIS?” Well, there are LOTS of reasons. To start with, a map or graph says a million words! Maps (and graphs or charts, which can also be produced with a GIS), provide a means of clear and precise communication. Rather than having to describe the where and what of an issue, it is so much easier to just point at a map – a real time-saver during presentations. In addition to maps, graphs and charts are also easy to establish and very useful for showing trends and (spatial) patterns. For example, a chart can show how much space is used by different land use activities. Or we can create chart maps, showing the statistics of e.g., water quality, at different locations along a stream. The options are boundless and, unlike hand-drawn maps, the data and graphic outputs of a GIS are easy to update and edit. By including maps or graphs produced by a GIS in your presentation, you can greatly improve the delivery of your case and impress the audience with visuals at least as fancy as those supporting the other side.

As the above already indicates, a GIS provides a very flexible tool. In addition to producing maps, charts and graphs, it can be used to display pictures, movies or any other kind of documentation at the click of a button. This option is especially useful for educational purposes – users can click on a location on a map and thereby retrieve statistics or pictures of that place. This can be a valuable tool at e.g., an open house: Set up a laptop with the customized GIS and let interested parties query information, retrieve pictures and other documentation. The option to integrate and link all kinds of data sources is also great for filing purposes: all the information that usually exists scattered in different locations can be compiled, organized and retrieved from one handy interface. A GIS can therefore act as a data warehouse – GIS do have the ability to handle large amounts of data, ideal for the ENGO setting where information from a multitude of sources is used.

But, GIS are not limited to storing and displaying data in various ways. They also provide a very powerful tool to analyze your data – and to thereby gather more information. In the simplest case you can get answers to questions such as “how much area is taken up by this land-use?”, “how long is this river?”,” how many farms are located within a certain distance from this river?”, and can get as complex as “what if” scenarios. For a brief description of the more advances types of analyses a for which GIS can be used follow this link to a case study example.

In addition to the ability to store and manage various layers of information, GIS allows to integrate and analyze them. This provides a means to examine complex issues using complex data, which can give meaningful insight to decision-makers.

If you are not a tech-wizz, but would like to benefit from GIS technologies, we are here to help. Please refer to the Services section of this website or contact us at gismanager@mbeconetwork.org.

Need any more reasons why to go GIS? Contact us at gismanager@mbeconetwork.org.