In order to analyze the potentials and drawbacks of geographic information systems, we must understand what GIS entails. A geographic or geospatial information system (GIS) is a unique way of capturing, managing, examining, and displaying all types of geographically referenced information through mechanisms like hardware, software, and data. Quite simply, GIS unifies cartography, statistical analysis and database technology. Through GIS, we can see the world and even our local communities by understanding, questioning, interpreting, and visualizing the accumulated data. By truly adapting GIS we can reveal unique relationships, patterns, and trends in real life via maps, globes, reports, and charts. GIS can help us answer countless questions when we look at our data in a way that can be easily comprehendible and accessible. There is no way of counting exactly how many people benefit from GIS today and they range from enterprises to average students. This is because it has so many uses and purposes that it can be witnessed in occupations which we would not expect GIS to be needed such as: archaeology, public utility management, natural resource management, precision agriculture, emergency management, Environmental Contamination, and aerial video and localized search engines.
This lab assignment was nothing like what I have ever done so at first, it was definitely difficult to navigate through the program even though the directions were fairly simple. I was getting discouraged in the beginning and did not believe I would finish all 58 pages of the tutorial but as I became more accustomed to the software, everything became easier and in the end the assignment was a rewarding experience. I believe the ArcMap GIS program has made grounds for tremendous possibilities and even many pitfalls. GIS programs like ArcMap, help students who are unskilled or minimally educated at creating maps to produce intricate maps and I feel very privileged to be able to have had first-hand experience with it. Now I understand just how easy technology makes it for everyone through the use software like ArcMap to generate their own maps.
One of the best features of GIS is that it has made the world somewhat of a smaller place and helps people connect with locations far away. By being able to color code and include specific symbols for different points on a map, GIS has great potential in terms of making maps more personal and even easier to understand. After we gather some type of data of a certain region, we can start analyzing and appreciate what that region has to offer. Because it brings together such a dynamic set of cartography, statistical analysis and database technology, GIS can even assist with making important decisions. For example, with wildlife conservation in sub-Saharan Africa, people involved with conserving elephants including the local tribes, conservation groups, and tourists can all work together by tracking the huge mammals with GPS devices, collecting data and conserving the different elephant species by mapping out where each species lives and try to prevent illegal poaching, push conservation laws and educate the local tribes and tourists. Rapidly developing technology like Smartphones and GPS devices with the help of their extremely spot-on parallel multi-channel design makes the fact that the world has become virtually closer more conceivable.
With every good thing, follows something bad. The pitfalls of GIS include the following reasons. Even though technology is in a sense faster, more precise, and oftentimes more reliable than people, because it is man-made, it is not perfect. There is no doubt that it is not always accurate and reliable. Computers and phones are often faulty and internet service isn’t readily available everywhere on Earth. Certain atmospheric factors and other sources of error can also affect the accuracy of GPS devices and phones with GPS embedded in them. Also oftentimes, GIS makes people dependent on GPS devices and cannot go anywhere without them. With the increasing popularization of GIS in decision making, many people have started to analyze its social insinuations. The most common argument that exists surrounding the concept of GIS is the idea that production, distribution, utilization, and representation of geographic references have a large correlation with the social context. For example, it is extremely concerning that there are many people who corrupt the positive usage of GIS to plagiarize other people’s work and completely disregard copyright, privacy, and censorship. It is really unfortunate that some people take advantage of GIS and sometimes use it to merely gain a profit.
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