The Geographic Information System which is more commonly referred to as the GIS is a powerful software technology that assists environmental managers in making informed decisions about the environment. As this environment provides the breeding ground for all living things it is essential to preserve this place for future generations. A vast amount of information regarding the environment can be stored in this software and be made available to its users. Having said that, the users of the GIS technology are not limited to environmental managers rather it includes; public and private sectors, field analysts, online users, and international organizations. All these users may make use of the information presented to them in a variety of ways. The displayed information is in the form of a map which allows for better and an in-depth analysis as several factors are taken into consideration. The environmental factors that are considered by the GIS technology include; pesticide use, migration corridors, hazardous waste generators, lake remediation efforts, and at-risk water wells to name a few. The GIS technology has ensured environmental protection is effective by making use of the larger environment rather than concentrating upon single factors (ESRI).
The ESRI GIS products provide several benefits to organizations that are working towards improving the environment. As the collected data can be stored in a single place more accurate decisions can be made. Along with this, work has been streamlined that has improved the overall productivity of the entire process of environmental management and protection. The GIS technology may be considered as a dynamic took as it covers a wide array of variables and provides them visually upon a single map. In order to ensure the aforementioned benefits are attainable there are tools and features that are available alongside the GIS technology. The desktop GIS option includes; ArcReader, ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo. The ArcReader allows users to view, explore, and print the maps which are of their interest (UC San Diego). ArcView emphasizes upon an extensive analysis of the data collected. The ArcEditor option has allowed users to organize data by editing it according to their requirements. However, the ArcInfo is aimed towards the professional users of this software technology. The Server GIS option includes; ArcSDE, ArcIMS, and ArcGIS. The ArcSDE feature has allowed users to store and manage data on any database from where the information is retrieved. As the GIS technology is available to online users this is made possible by the ArcIMS tool. However, the ArcGIS is aimed towards professional who want to publish maps over the web. This option is most commonly utilized by web developers.
ESRI GSI products are not however limited to the desktop GIS and server GIS. There are other products and services being offered which include; ArcGIS Engine, ArcPad Software, ArcWeb Services, and ESRI GIS Portal Toolkit. When developers want to customize information according to the requirements of their users they most commonly refer to the ArcGIS Engine as it contains all the required tools. In order to facilitate on-field analysts the ArcPad software includes options that would be useful to these users. Some users may be online and may require data at certain times rather than holding data on a continuous basis; therefore, the GIS offer the ArcWeb services to this group of its users. Lastly, the ESRI GIS Portal Toolkit is an aggregate of all the required tools that are essential to create the GIS portal.
The GIS technology is flexible to the demands of the evolving IT industry in which it operates. This has been one of the most influential factors for the success of this technology. Furthermore, it is a user-friendly technology and incorporates the interests of a wide number of users and not just professional environmental managers. The ease of accessing data at the convenience and discretion of the particular user has further contributed towards the success of this technology. As the environment is under constant threat from the activities being done by humans on Mother Nature there is a dire need for protection of the environment. There is no life anywhere else in the universe; hence, it is essential for humans to take corrective and preventive measures. The GIS technology has helped aid people make better decisions about the usage of land alongside minimizing the negative impact upon the environment. For instance; if construction was going to take place in a particular area, the GIS technology if used correctly would provide a detailed picture of the area in consideration. People would then be able to analyze whether the decision being made was correct or not (AbuKhater, 2011). If the benefits attained are greater than the harm caused then the decision would be taken otherwise an alternate plan would have to be devised. Moreover, it may also help prolong the lifecycle of endangered species that are close to extinction. By doing this, the environment may be protected because only those decisions would be taken which would not have an impact upon the lives of these endangered living things.
Works Cited
AbuKhater, Ahmed. "GIS for Planning and Community Development: Solving Global Challenges." Directions Magazine 2 Jan. 2011: -. Directions Magazine: All Things Location. Web. 13 Apr. 2014.
"ESRI GIS Products." ESRI GIS Products. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2014. <http://acms.ucsd.edu/services/software/productfiles/esri-arcinfobrochure.html>.
"Overview." Esri. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.esri.com/what-is-gis/overview>.
