User Assessments
The GIS needs assessment includes a review of user workflow requirements and identifies where the I-GIS team can improve user productivity. This assessment identifies GIS practice and data requirements for supporting user needs. Projects at Iracambi have been sub categorized into Volunteer Projects and Research Projects for this assessment. This is consistent with Iracambi's project structure, however for GIS use, volunteer and research projects for similar topics have the same GIS assessment.
Volunteer Projects
Medicinal Plants
Environmental Education Landuse/Reforestation Hydrological Study Mining Approach
Research Projects
Sustainable Farming Systems Landuse Planning Forest Restoration Community Development Income Generating Alternatives Biological Studies
Volunteer Projects
Medicinal Plants
Requirements |
Variables |
|---|---|
GIS Use |
Yes |
Purpose |
Farm, Research, Project, Community |
Work Flow |
External |
Data Type |
Shapefiles, Rasters, Orthophotos |
Data Available |
Yes |
Scale |
Fazenda, Iracambi Project, Graminha |
Skill Level |
Simple, Moderate, Advanced |
Application |
No |
Product |
Reference Maps, Thematic Maps, Special Use Maps, Analysis Results |
Length |
Permanent |
Stage 2005/2006 |
In Progress |
Description:
GIS ties together the expanses of the data collected by this project. Maps for analysis are produced as well as specific spatial analysis such as slope calculation, elevations and buffers. Models are used to organize tasks.
Environmental Education
Requirements |
Variables |
|---|---|
GIS Use |
Yes |
Purpose |
Farm, Research, Project, Community |
Work Flow |
External |
Data Type |
Shapefiles, Rasters, Orthophotos |
Data Available |
Yes |
Scale |
Fazenda, Iracambi Project, Graminha |
Skill Level |
Simple, Moderate, Advanced |
Application |
No |
Product |
Reference Maps, Thematic Maps, Special Use Maps, Analysis Results |
Length |
Permanent |
Stage 2005/2006 |
In Progress |
Description:
GIS is used to produced informative maps for different school aged children at a variety of scales.
Landuse/Reforestation
Requirements |
Variables |
|---|---|
GIS Use |
Yes |
Purpose |
Farm, Research, Project, Community |
Work Flow |
Internal |
Data Type |
Shapefiles, Rasters, Orthophotos |
Data Available |
Yes |
Scale |
Iracambi, Iracambi Project Area |
Skill Level |
Moderate - Advanced |
Application |
No |
Product |
Reference Maps, Special Use Maps, Analysis Results |
Length |
Permanent |
Stage 2005/2006 |
In Progress |
Description:
Landuse was the original project for the GIS. Once the various layers for the different scales are complete it will represent a base layer for all other projects.
Hydrological Study
Requirements |
Variables |
|---|---|
GIS Use |
Yes |
Purpose |
Farm, Research, Project |
Work Flow |
Internal, External |
Data Type |
Shapefiles, Rasters, Orthophotos |
Data Available |
Yes |
Scale |
Fazenda, Iracambi Project |
Skill Level |
Simple/moderate |
Application |
No |
Product |
Reference Maps, Special Use Maps, Analysis Results |
Length |
Unknown |
Stage 2005/2006 |
In Progress |
Description:
GIS is used for information management of the various layers for this project. The information gathered represents several base layers that other projects use. Currently GIS facilitates the access to hyperlinked Excel and Html documents. In the future the information from this project will need to be converted to Access for proper integration into the I-GIS.
Mining Approach
Requirements |
Variables |
|---|---|
GIS Use |
No (Potential) |
Purpose |
Farm, Community |
Work Flow |
External |
Data Type |
Shapefiles, Rasters, Orthophotos |
Data Available |
Yes |
Scale |
Fazenda, Iracambi Project |
Skill Level |
Simple |
Application |
No |
Product |
Reference Maps, Thematic Maps |
Length |
Permanent Temporary |
Stage 2005/2006 |
In Progress (Initial) |
Description:
GIS is used to create reference maps and calculate areas. The data created in this project is referenced to the landuse project for more comprehensive analysis.
Research Projects
Sustainable Farming Systems
Requirements |
Variables |
|---|---|
GIS Use |
Yes |
Purpose |
Farm |
Work Flow |
External |
Data Type |
Shapefiles, Rasters, Orthophotos |
Data Available |
Yes |
Scale |
Fazenda |
Skill Level |
Simple |
Application |
No |
Product |
Reference Maps |
Length |
Permanent |
Stage 2005/2006 |
In Progress |
Description:
GIS is only used to create reference maps for the farm coordinator.
Landuse Planning
Requirements |
Variables |
|---|---|
GIS Use |
Yes |
Purpose |
Research, Projects |
Work Flow |
Internal |
Data Type |
Shapefiles, Rasters, Orthophotos |
Data Available |
Yes |
Scale |
Iracambi Project |
Skill Level |
Moderate |
Application |
No |
Product |
Reference Maps, Special Use Maps, Analysis Results |
Length |
Permanent |
Stage 2005/2006 |
In Progress |
Description:
Landuse was the original project for the GIS. Once the various layers for the different scales are complete it will represent a base layer for all other projects.
Forest Restoration
Requirements |
Variables |
|---|---|
GIS Use |
Yes |
Purpose |
Farm, Research, Project, Community |
Work Flow |
External |
Data Type |
Shapefiles, Rasters, Orthophotos |
Data Available |
Yes |
Scale |
Fazenda, Iracambi Project |
Skill Level |
Simple, Moderate |
Application |
No |
Product |
Reference Maps, Special Use Maps, Analysis Results |
Length |
Permanent |
Stage 2005/2006 |
In Progress |
Description:
GIS is used for information management of the various layers for this project. The information gathered from other projects and from the base layers are essential for this projects analysis.
Community Development
Requirements |
Variables |
|---|---|
GIS Use |
Unknown |
Purpose |
|
Work Flow |
|
Data Type |
|
Data Available |
|
Scale |
|
Skill Level |
|
Application |
|
Product |
|
Length |
|
Stage 2005/2006 |
Description:
Unknown GIS use .
Income Generating Alternatives
Requirements |
Variables |
|---|---|
GIS Use |
Yes |
Purpose |
Farm, Research, Project, Community |
Work Flow |
External |
Data Type |
Shapefiles, Rasters, Orthophotos |
Data Available |
Yes |
Scale |
Fazenda |
Skill Level |
Advanced |
Application |
No |
Product |
Reference Maps, Thematic Maps, Special Use Maps, Analysis Results |
Length |
Permanent |
Stage 2005/2006 |
In Progress |
Description:
GIS ties together the expanses of the data collected by this project. Currently the only income generating alternative research project is the Medicinal Plants Project.
Biological Studies
Requirements |
Variables |
|---|---|
GIS Use |
Yes |
Purpose |
Farm, Research, Project, Community |
Work Flow |
Internal |
Data Type |
Shapefiles, Rasters, Orthophotos |
Data Available |
Yes |
Scale |
Fazenda, Iracambi Project |
Skill Level |
Simple, Moderate, Advanced |
Application |
No |
Product |
Reference Maps, Thematic Maps, Special Use Maps, Analysis Results |
Length |
Temporary |
Stage 2005/2006 |
All Complete |
Description:
Biological studies include projects conducted by various researchers studying bats, birds, butterflies, frogs, forest fragments, insects etc.. The layers created by these projects further enrich the GIS database used by all community members.
Database Design
The database design for the I-GIS system evolved to its current state after its five years of infancy. The systems in place today are operational geodatabases. The geodatabase was chosen to be the method of data storage. This is because it supports a meaningful and accurate analysis as well as organizational workflows. The major benefit of this, is the long-term properties of interest associated with the objects. These objects or structures need to be retained (need to persist) in the I-GIS infrastructure. The software architecture (ArcMap and ArcCatalogue) stores these geodatabase properties in the relational database management systems.
Several of these geodatabases representing similar information needs creates a (geodatabase) data model. For example, the I-GIS system is composed of several geodatabase data models such as the Base Layer (geodatabase) model and the Medicinal Plants (geodatabase, CAMP) model.
What is a geodatabase?
Geodatabase Models
The various data models act as a template for implementing and supporting GIS related projects. The Base Layer Models provide the foundation for representing the general reality for all projects. Data on transportation, buildings, general hydrology, terrain etc.. can be found in this model. The base layer models are represented at four different scales including the Fazenda, Iracambi project area, the Territorio do Brigadeiro and Brazil. Also, individual project data models support specific data requirements for that project. The Base Layer data model is shown below.
There are four different scale levels for the I-GIS Base Layers [Click to Enlarge] |
Map Projection
| Projected coordinate system name: SAD_1969_UTM_Zone_23S | ||||
| Geographic coordinate system name: GCS_South_American_1969 | ||||
| Bounding Coordinates | ||||
| In Decimal Degrees | ||||
| West: -78.424861 | ||||
| East: -29.926477 | ||||
| North: 5.463865 | ||||
| South: -34.038101 | ||||
| In Projected or Local Coordinates | ||||
| Left: -2839546.244940 | ||||
| Right: 1912893.544958 | ||||
| Top: 10603941.643836 | ||||
| Bottom: 6233606.343878 | ||||
Metadata Design
Metadata is a summary information providing content, quality, type, creation, and spatial information about a data set. The I-GIS team is responsible for maintaining these standards. The I-GIS team can update the files themselves by helping users update the necessary metadata. Metadata is important because:
- Provides an inventory of data assets
- Helps determine and maintain the value of data
- Helps you determine the reliability and currency of data
- Supports decision making
- Documents legal issues
- Helps keep data accurate and helps verify accuracy to support good decision making and cost savings
- Helps determine budgets because it provides a clearer understanding of when or if data needs to be updated or repurchased
Metadata is a standard part of the I-GIS and not an extension of functionality. Metadata is a fundamental component of every user's GIS implementation. The tools for creating and managing metadata are key technologies for sharing geographic information and building communities. The I-GIS metadata system follows a custom set of standards taken from the ISO. The ArcGIS ArcCatalog application is used for creating and authoring metadata and sending to a metadata service. The I-GIS metadata system is comprised of
- A metadata editor
- Style sheets that present the metadata in various report formats
- A synchronizer that automatically records a data set's properties in the appropriate metadata elements for that standard
| The I-GIS ISO metadata standards include the minimum following standard fields: | |
| General Information: | |
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| Dataset Identification: | |
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| Spatial Information: | |
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Templates and Symbology
Templates act as the windows into the databases. They are designed so that the user communities can view, and manipulate individual maps for analysis and print hardcopies. Interactive templates were designed and implemented for a few reasons. First, they are not static, which means that these map templates can be customized for individual purposes. This eliminates the need for GIS technicians to constantly create static maps for the user communities. Second, templates are much easier to introduce and maintain then a map application that ques the user to select the appropriate layers and scale for map creation. Third, map templates create a thread of commonality between all user communities.
To further assist the user community with map creation and to maintain a thread of commonality between users, specific symbology for all the Base Layers were created. This information is included in the base layer databases.
System Architecture
The above assessments and design are all part of Iracambi's GIS system architecture. The assessments are based on user requirements identified by the I-GIS needs analysis. The assessments of user needs database design and the templates to support these needs are overviewed above. It is important that the different users needs are fully assessed with the constant thought of data integration with other users. Users must have a clear understanding or some foresight of their GIS needs and data requirements before they are ready to develop a geodatabase model. The I-GIS team can significantly contribute to the users understanding of project GIS needs. The system architecture design process was compiled using the following processes.
The System Infrastructure Design Gives I-GIS a clear understanding of GIS applications and data requirements. [Click to Enlarge] |
Limitations
There are a few limitations with the I-GIS. The type of limitation can be classified by the main components of a GIS, which include the hardware, software, data and people.
The hardware of the I-GIS (4 desktop computers connected using an intranet) can sufficiently handle the current GIS use of minimal users at one time. However, the intranet cannot cope with large datasets being accessed from one central desktop computer. The system is further hinder with large raster/image datasets. It is recommended that all raster data be copied for use as required. Currently there is very limited raster use.
The software of the I-GIS (ArcGIS 9.0) can sufficiently handle the current GIS use of minimal users. However, the software is already out-of-date, 9.1 has been released. Also, if the I-GIS was to expand the ArcGIS desktop could not cope, especially for database management. Multi-user editing is not possible in the current system. ArcSDE would be the next optimal upgrades to cope with data expansion and multiple I-GIS users.
The data currently used in the I-GIS is sufficient to meet the needs of the I-GIS user community. The various volunteer projects and research projects do not require millimetre or even metre accuracy for analytical purposes. The Base Layer data as of 2005/2006 supplies the information to these users. However, if the I-GIS user community expands and becomes more data depended the I-GIS needs to expand in a professional and accurate manner. The aerial photo from 2004 is inaccurate in some areas up to 50m, this information may not be accurate enough in the future. It has already been determined that this information will not meet the needs of the Medicinal Plants Project in the future. Another major data limitation is the lack of daily back-ups. This significantly increases the risk of data loss.
The people in the I-GIS, the I-GIS team, currently meet the needs of the I-GIS. Coordinators and technicians work together providing user support, data maintenance and template designs. The major limitation of the I-GIS team is the lack of skilled people. The second limitation of the team is the lack of overlap between coordinators so information and strategies can be passed on. This document will hopefully bridge that gap.
Future
The future of the I-GIS will widen the focus beyong Iracambi´s own boundaries to the nine municípios (counties) that make up the Serra do Brigadeiro Territory. To make this as accessible as possible, we aim to make it a web-based system, for which we will need suport from other partners in order to share the hosting. Of course, there will continue to be demands from Iracambi itself for its own research work as well (like this study on watershed management) so we can expect top have plenty of varied work ahead. These users of the system will require more precise data, larger scale information, better management of their information or internal GIS members. Already, since this page was first posted, there have been major up-dates in our equipment and software and as funds become available, we can expect our capacity to grow. The I-GIS system and the I-GIS team has to be able to act to these needs rather then react.