Gestión Académica

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are very versatile tools in environmental sciences. Spatial data - increasingly accessible and flexible - together with GIS analytic capabilities allow modeling and predicting the occurrence of phenomena, or the presence and abundance of species. GIS have become important tools in scientific and technical studies of environmental problems, as well as in the study and management of biodiversity.

The especially dynamic nature of the abiotic context in marine ecosystems implies that the integration of remote sensing with GIS is of special interest. GIS makes possible mapping natural resources and biophysical characteristics (chlorophyll, water temperature, salinity...), as well as following their spatial and temporal changes.

The course is an introduction to GIS combined with remote sensing, and requires basic notions of data processing and numerical analysis. Students need to be fluent with file management and spreadsheets.

The central goal of the course is for students understanding the basic principles of GIS, their main applications, and their limitations.

Overall the course is aimed at developing the ability of students to undertake GIS work regardless of the software or the specific nature of data. We seek to encourage autonomous and continuous learning with the help of freeware GIS and public data.

At the end of the course students should be able to solve basic to moderately complex spatial problems in the study of the marine environment. We do not seek learning the precise, immediate response, but rather that the acquired understanding of the combination GIS / remote sensing allowed students to identify the required solution to the problem, and handle it.

Introduction to maps and GIS

Basic cartographic notions

Map viewers vs. GIS software

Data

Data structure, types

Data sources

Remote sensing servers

Layers

Common vector operations. Data tables

Common raster operations

Map calculators (algebra)

Overlays between discrete (vectors) and surface (raster) layers

Intro and overview of satellite remote sensing

Ocean color

Infrared sensors and sSST [restricted now to Ocean Color datasets]

Case studies and interfacing GIS and R: spatial patterns and planning, basic habitat modeling and protected areas, etc.

The course consists of approximately 1/4 theory and 3/4 computer practice. The sessions generally combine a short theoretical introduction with interactive practical cases.

The scheme reflected in "Contents" is the one followed when approaching the theoretical-practical sessions, although with flexibility to adapt the sessions to the dynamics of the specific group of students, and to the doubts that may raise.

Exceptionally, if health conditions so require, we may use virtual teaching. Should this be the case, students will be readily informed.

In order to pass the course it is mandatory attending to a minimum of 75% of the practical sessions.

The evaluation is based on a theoretical-practical test with the computer, in which the students must solve similar problems to those practiced in the sessions of the course.

Exceptionally, if health conditions so require, methods of assessment may include online exams and/or assignments. Should this be the case, students will be readily informed.

Resources

The course requires computers and fair Internet access. The software used is free, and available for download and installation. The data used in practical sessions are also obtained from public repositories.

Bibliography

Anderson CB (2018) Biodiversity monitoring, earth observations and the ecology of scale.

Halpern BS, Walbridge S, Selkoe KA, et al (2008) A Global Map of Human Impact on Marine Ecosystems. Science 319:948–952. doi: 10.1126/science.1149345

IUCN-UNEP (2015) World Database on Protected Areas. In: The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA). www.protectedplanet.net. Accessed 23 Mar 2015

McClain CR (2009) A Decade of Satellite Ocean Color Observations. Annu Rev Marine Sci 1:19–42. doi: 10.1146/annurev.marine.010908.163650

Sherman GE (2008) Desktop GIS: Mapping the Planet With Open Source Tools. Pragmatic Bookshelf

Steiniger S, Hay GJ (2009) Free and open source geographic information tools for landscape ecology. Ecological Informatics 4:183–195.

Turner W, Spector S, Gardiner N, et al (2003) Remote sensing for biodiversity science and conservation. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 18:306–314. doi: 10.1016/S0169-5347(03)00070-3