Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
GIS is expected to differ from other digital spatial data handling packages by virtue of its emphasis on spatial analysis and modeling, yet major limitations of spatial analytical capabilities are still observed. To identify the types of spatial analysis which are desirable and appropriate to GIS, this thesis proposes a systematic 'building-blocks' approach for the identification of data models and spatial analytical tools to develop a flexible and powerful GIS spatial analysis and modeling environment. The building-blocks approach will be demonstrated in this thesis by examining a ground water flow model in MODFLOW, an SDA package designed specifically for this purpose. Procedures in MODFLOW will be disassembled into their primitive component functions, or building-blocks, which will then be sought out in ARC/INFO, representing a modern, general-purpose GIS. In the process, the levels of integration between GIS and SDA will be encountered and discussed.
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