Geospatial data is complex and multi-dimensional. Over the years, as I have worked with non-GIS experts, I have come to the realisation that spatial data, due to its complexity is one of the hardest parts about learning GIS. New GIS users often struggle with spatial data due to the many characteristics and multi-dimensionality associated with … Continue reading The complexities associated with Geospatial Data
Citizen Science or volunteered geographic information and where is george?
No doubt many of you have heard something about citizen science? What is it and how does this differ from volunteered geographic information? Citizen Science: Citizen Science actively involves the public in scientific research activities and the process. How they participate can vary. Citizens can collaborate with scientists by collecting data or analysing data, for … Continue reading Citizen Science or volunteered geographic information and where is george?
Geospatial Data and Technologies 4 Combating Disease
Malaria cases are on the rise. In 2023, 263 million malaria cases were reported globally and 600,000 deaths (WHO, 2024). Malaria, a parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be vectored by a variety of mosquito species (see Blanford (2024, 2025) and the short video lecture by Blanford (2024 – vector-borne diseases: the malaria example). Mapping … Continue reading Geospatial Data and Technologies 4 Combating Disease
Geography and GIS programmes
Have you considered a career in geography and were wondering where to go? For programmes in the US, check out the following video by the Geography King. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvklCAKOpYI For Master's programmes on GIS - visit some of the following sites. However, what school to pick is really up to your personal and future goals. Here … Continue reading Geography and GIS programmes
“Million dollar blocks”
What do you think you will learn when reading this title? Real-estate? Gold? A number of years ago I came across this study about the "million dollar blocks" and found it fascinating. This is a really nice example of how geography and spatial analysis are so useful for bringing to life data and really gaining insights … Continue reading “Million dollar blocks”
Mapping genomic data
Screenshot of nextstrain By reconstructing a phylogeny we can learn about important epidemiological phenomena. By adding geography to where the sample was taken we can map the spatial spread of a pathogen as well as how it may be changing in a certain location. By looking at this in context by adding in different geographies … Continue reading Mapping genomic data
Biomes around the world
Where are the grasslands, temperature forests and so on? We wanted to explore where different biomes were distributed and how rainfall could be used to create a map capturing these different biomes. To achieve this we first calculated total annual rainfall and then reclassified the information based on different criteria we gathered. Total Annual Rainfall … Continue reading Biomes around the world
Where are the rainforests located?
Earlier we posted a short article about using annual rainfall to identify deserts. Now we will use rainfall to identify rain forests. In this case a rain forest is defined as locations where rainfall is greater than 2000mm a year. Temperatures are also important but for now we are just interested in defining rainforests based … Continue reading Where are the rainforests located?
Bird migrations: 10,000km connecting Europe and Africa
Thought the hummingbird migration was neat? Check out the bird migrations between Europe, Africa and Asia. A European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) outfitted with a GPS tracker traveled from Reitz, South Africa to Finland. The buzzards traveled 10,000 km in 42 days! Source: https://twistedsifter.com/2021/10/bird-travels-10000-km-in-42-days-mapped/ Many birds fly long distances as captured here Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/geography/comments/1bzsa89/migration_routes_of_different_birds_to_and_from/#lightbox And … Continue reading Bird migrations: 10,000km connecting Europe and Africa
The return of the hummingbird
One of the highlights of the year after a long cold winter is..... the return of the hummingbird. The arrival of the hummingbirds signifies the end of winter and the start of the hot steamy summer! Thanks to a number of different websites where citizens, who like to keep tabs on the world outside of … Continue reading The return of the hummingbird
GeoSpatialSense 