GIS Datasets What is GIS data? | What is metadata? | Spatial data request form | Australian Spatial Data Directory
ASDD Node Link | MDBC Spatial Data Requirements What is GIS data? A Geographical Information System (GIS) is a computer software system that captures, stores, analyses, displays and retrieves spatial information. The spatial information is usually about the earth's surface or sub-surface. For any given application a GIS uses a spatially referenced database ('GIS data') to model characteristics of the earth's surface and produce output in the form of maps and tables. The GIS data digitally represent the shape of features, plus attributes that contain descriptive information for each feature. Features may be represented in different ways, eg a polygon for a wetland; a line to represent a road; a point to locate a town; an image from a satellite sensor; or a set of grid cells. The connection of an attribute database to a representation of spatial features enables the user to interrogate the GIS and ask questions that can help to: evaluate potential environmental impacts; determine the extent and quality of natural resources; identify the best location for a new development, and so on. This part of the Murray-Darling Basin Initiative web site gives people access to information (metadata) about GIS data that is held by the Office of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. Spatial Data Request form Down load a spatial request form [PDF 42Kb] What is Metadata? 'Metadata' explains the origins and processing history of any particular dataset, and allows for an understanding of potential limitations through statements about attribute and positional accuracy and general data quality. The metadata is presented in a standard format agreed by the ANZLIC - the Spatial Information Council . The document - ANZLIC Guidelines: Core Metadata Elements Version 1 - describes a standard set of attributes that should be included in spatial metadata. These attributes allow you to determine whether data exists on a required issue (using search words), the geographic area covered by a data set and summary information about the content and quality of the data set. We use this standard as a basis for all spatial metadata. Australian Spatial Data Directory The Australian Spatial Data Directory (ASDD) is a national initiative supported by all governments under the auspices of ANZLIC. The ASDD aims to improve access to Australian spatial data for industry, government, education and the general community through effective documentation, advertisement and distribution. The Murray-Darling Basin Commission's metadata, along with a large number of metadata records for datasets from State, Commonwealth and commercial agencies, can be searched from the ASDD Node
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