Homepage » Lesson 5 » Lesson 5.1

Lesson 5 - Geographic Data Introduction

5.1 - What is geographic data?

The main TEISS interface is a GIS interface, so we want to be sure you have some understanding of GIS and geographic data. If you are familiar with GIS, for example through working with ESRI's ARC programs, you can probably skip this section. If you have never used a GIS system before, stick with us for this lesson.

Geographic data are recordings of measurements taken at certain places and times. The key for geographic data is that it is taken at a certain place, and that location is recorded. For EIs, we not only need to know how much pollution is being released by a facility, we need to know where the facility is located. For air quality monitoring, you collect measurements about the pollution in the air at a particular place - where the air monitor is located. How can you describe the location of a pollution source or air quality monitor so that the location can be accurately shown on a map? You use coordinate systems that are known and agreed upon by the mapping community.

End of Lesson 5.1

Lesson 5

Lesson 5.2