Geographic Information System (GIS)
- Pronunciation
- /jee-oh-GRAF-ik in-for-MAY-shun SIS-tem/
- Category
- Ecology
- Singular
- Geographic Information System
- Plural
- Geographic Information Systems
Definition
A computer-based system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced data, enabling the integration of spatial and biological information to model distributions, movements, and ecological relationships of organisms across landscapes.
Etymology
From Greek geōgraphia (description of the earth's surface) + Latin informatio (conception, teaching) + Latin systema (organized whole)
Example
Researchers used GIS to overlay larval mosquito collection sites with land-use data, identifying irrigated agriculture as the primary predictor of Anopheles gambiae breeding in a - region.
Synonyms
- GIS
Related Terms
- Remote sensing
- spatial ecology
- habitat suitability modeling
- species distribution modeling
- landscape ecology
- ecological niche modeling
- vector surveillance
Usage Notes
In entomology and , GIS is distinguished from simple mapping by its analytical capabilities: queries, overlay operations, and statistical spatial modeling. The term is often used interchangeably with its acronym in professional contexts. distinguish between desktop GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS) and web-based platforms. Data quality and coordinate system choice critically affect biological conclusions.