Geospatial Data Types and Projections Quiz

The science of gathering, storing, processing, modeling, analyzing, and delivering spatially referenced data.

Raw measurements or observations gathered about the Earth.

Processed and interpreted data, providing meaning and context.

A branch of geomatics that focuses on the shape and size of the Earth.

The science of obtaining information about objects on the Earth's surface from photographs.

A technology that uses satellites to determine the location of objects on Earth.

The science of collecting environmental data from a distance, such as through satellites.

A system for managing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data.

A map projection where the reference sphere or ellipsoid touches the Earth at a single point or line, resulting in true scale only at the point of contact.

A map projection where the reference sphere or ellipsoid intersects the Earth at two lines or a circle, resulting in true scale along these lines of intersection.

The distortion pattern in tangent projections increases uniformly farther away from the point of contact.

The distortion pattern in secant projections is more evenly distributed compared to tangent projections, resulting in less overall distortion.

Tangent projections work well for small areas near the point of contact because the distortion is minimal in this region.

Secant projections are generally better suited for larger areas because they distribute distortion more evenly, resulting in a more accurate representation.

A projected coordinate system commonly used in Alberta, Canada for forestry and resource management. It has EPSG code 3400 (also known as ESRI:102184).

A standardized system for identifying and defining coordinate reference systems and related geospatial parameters. Widely used in GIS and mapping communities.

Representing data as either suitable (1) or unsuitable (0) for a specific species.

While binary data is considered qualitative, it can be treated statistically as numeric for analysis due to its 0/1 coding.

Data types categorize values based on their nature, including presence or absence, distinct categories, ordered categories, and continuous or discrete measurements.

Data types are classified based on properties like countability, order, difference between values, and a true zero point.

Counts the number of distinct categories or values within a dataset.

Determines if a data type has an order or ranking, like from cold to hot.

Quantifies the difference between values, such as the difference between two temperatures.

Determines if a data type has a true zero point, indicating the absence of that quantity.

Data that can have any value within a specific range, and can be infinitely divided.

Data that can only take specific, distinct values, with clear boundaries between them.

Continuous data is typically represented in vector format, using points, lines, or polygons to define objects and features.

Discrete data is usually represented in raster format, using a grid of cells to represent data values.

Continuous data values can vary continuously across a feature, while discrete data values can only change at the boundaries of each unit.

Continuous data uses a scale with a true zero point, allowing for meaningful ratios between values.

Continuous data can also use a scale without a true zero point, useful for comparing differences but not ratios.

Discrete data uses a scale with a true zero point, allowing for meaningful ratios between values.

Discrete data can also use a scale without a true zero point, useful for comparing differences but not ratios.

Changing the aspect of a map projection changes how the map represents specific regions; For example, a transverse cylindrical projection accurately represents areas far from the equator.

Distortions are unavoidable when projecting a spherical Earth onto a flat surface. All map projections distort either direction, distance, shape, or size.

Equal-area projections preserve the relative sizes of areas on Earth, allowing for comparisons of different regions. However, they often distort shapes and distances.

Conformal projections maintain true angles and local shapes, useful for navigation and meteorology. However, they cannot preserve the relative sizes of areas.

Equal-area projections are recognized by meridians (lines of longitude) and parallels (lines of latitude) that do not intersect at right angles. Distance distortion and skewed shapes are common.

Equal-area projections, such as Albers Equal Area, Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area, and Mollweide, preserve relative sizes of areas. However, they introduce distortions to shapes and distances.

Different projections preserve different features of the Earth's surface depending on their intended use. Choosing the right projection depends on the specific purpose of the map.

Basic projection techniques define how relationships between features are represented on a map, including their size and shape. Projections can be chosen to preserve specific characteristics for diverse applications.

A map projection where the Earth's surface is projected onto a flat plane. The plane can be tangent to a point on the Earth, such as a pole or the equator, or can be oblique to the Earth's axis.

A type of planar projection where the plane is tangent to a point on the Earth's axis, such as a pole.

A type of planar projection where the plane is tangent to a point on the equator.

A type of planar projection where the plane is tangent to any point on the Earth's surface that's NOT a pole or on the equator. This means the plane touches the Earth at a tilted angle.

A map projection where the Earth's surface is projected onto a cylinder. The cylinder can touch or intersect the Earth along its equator or a meridian. It's useful for showing the Earth's overall shape.

A map projection where the Earth's surface is projected onto a cone. The cone can touch, intersect, or pass through the Earth. This projection is useful for showing regions around a specific latitude, like the US.

The quality of a map projection is best where the projection surface touches or intersects the Earth. This is because distortion is minimized in these areas.

A type of conic projection where the cone's axis lies in the equatorial plane.