Principles of Geographical Information Systems (Spatial Information Systems) [Hardcover]

Peter A. Burrough (Author), Rachael A. McDonnell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198233663 | ISBN-13: 978-0198233664 | Publication Date: April 9, 1998 | Edition: 2

This text is a completely revised version of "Principles of Geographical Information Systems for Land Resources Assessment" which was first published in 1986. GIS are not just used for electronic map-making but today are major tools for the management of our physical and social environment. GIS are used to assist political decisions and play a part in market research, in the management of utility services, in automated navigation systems and in many other fields. This book presents a theoretical basis for GIS, which is often lacking in other texts. Spatial data are usually based on two, dichotomous paradigms, exactly defined entities in space, such as land parcels, or the continuous variation of single attributes, such as temperature or rainfall. Methods for modelling both kinds of phenomena and storing them in spatial databases are described in detail, including the use of geostatistics for interpolating from points to continuous fields. Examples of how spatial data and an analysis of their spatial interactions are used to solve a wide range of practical problems ranging from site-location analysis through land degradation, the optimizing of timber extraction from forests and the redistribution of Chernobyl radioactivity by floods are explained clearly and in detail. Much attention is paid to the problems of data quality and how statistical errors in spatial data can affect the results of spatial modelling based on the two paradigms of space. Fuzzy logic and continuous classification methods are presented as methods for linking the two spatial paradigms. The book concludes with an investigation of current developments in providing spatial data for the whole world over the Internet. As such this volume attempts to provide a comprehensive and concise introduction to the theory and practice of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Targeted at undergraduates, graduates, and professionals in disciplines such as physical and human geography, hydrology, geology, environmental science, cartography, epidemiology, radioecology, agriculture, spatial planning, land tenure, and land evaluation the book explains why spatial data and the information systems based on them are important in the modern world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[This second edition] builds upon the previous work in providing a very welcome basic, concise and more up to date introduction to the principles underlying GISs ... a osund and readable introduction to a complex subject. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, v. 9 no. 3, 2000

Choosing a course text in the early post-GIS years was very easy. Peter Burrough's Principles of geographical Information Systems for Land Resources Assessment was the definitive work. Beautifully written and illustrated...Peter Burrough set himself a hard act to follow...In almost every respect this is a new book, and not the second edition it purports to be...So, this is a rarity in textbook publishing a second edition that improves on the first. It looks set to be my recommended course text for many years to come./David Unwin/GIS Europe June 1998.

This book presents a strong theoritical basis for GIS, which is often lacking in other texts...the optimising of timber extraction from forests and the redistribution of Chernobyl radioactivity by floods are explained clearly in detail./Mapping Awareness April 1998

`This new publication is up to date and provides comprehensive coverage of virtually all aspects of GIS. It is clearly written and technical where appropriate ... it should be recommended for postgraduate courses and for all teachers of GIS.' David Walker, The Times Higher Education Supplement --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Peter Burrough is Professor of Physical Geography, Utrecht University
Rachael McDonnell is College Lecturer at Hertford College, University of Oxford
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 356 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (April 9, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198233663
• ISBN-13: 978-0198233664
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,650,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential introduction to GIS, April 15, 2000

By 

G. Camara (Sao Jose dos Campos, SP Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Principles of Geographical Information Systems (Spatial Information Systems) (Paperback)

This is arguably the best introduction to GIS available. A worthy successor to Burrough's earlier work, this book provides a very broad perspective of spatial information systems, ranging from the basics of data modelling and representation, to more complex (but essential) issues such as geostatistics, fuzzy logic and data quality. A lot of so-called "introduction to GIS" books are in reality books about one commercial product. Not this one. Many books only cover the very basics, and thus narrow the reader's perspective. This book will open your mind about many aspects of GIS, since it provides a very rich perspective of the field. I have been using this book in my graduate courses on GIS, with excellent results.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for all GIS users, October 11, 2002

By 

J Ware (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Principles of Geographical Information Systems (Spatial Information Systems) (Paperback)

This is one of the best texts currently available on the topic of GIS. It gives an overall perspective of GIS to any level of user, from the basic to the advanced. After being educated in the American system (BS, Geography, United States Military Academy) and the British system (MSc, GIS, Cranfield University and U.K. Army Survey Course) I found this book to be the most unbiased and easy to follow GIS text on the market. In fact, I am recommending it to be the reference text for the GIS curriculum at NIMA's National Geospatial Intelligence School.
This book remains true to its aim: "To provide an introduction to the theoretical and technical principles that need to be understood to work effectively and critically with GIS."
It is neither a geography text nor an earth science text, so those involved in that educational environment should choose another book.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, Thorough and Clear, February 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Principles of Geographical Information Systems (Spatial Information Systems) (Paperback)

I'm currently a student in a GIS program. This is the required text for one of my courses this session. My previous session I used the Heywood book and I found it dated and out of touch and dull. I much prefer this one. While it is very detailed, I appreciate the more comprehensive explanations of how things actually work behind the scenes. Managing data is one of the most crucial aspects of GIS and having a broader overview is proving most helpful. It is written in a formal, rather "dense" style, but I didn't find the British English to be much of a hindrance. I'm actually quite tired of books that "fluff" over topics and talk down to the audience by giving overly simple explanations.