GIS-based Data Synthesis and Visualization

Abstract

Synthesizing and properly visualizing data in 2D systems is a key issue when aiming at explaining spatial patterns by spatial processes. In this book chapter we will deal with synthesis and visualization related to the following ecological issues: i) synthesizing species distribution models relying on virtual species, ii) visualizing spatial uncertainty in species distribution based on cartograms, iii) fuzzy methods to synthesize species distribution uncertainty, iv) remote sensing data synthesis by exploratory analysis and re-plotting data in new systems, iv) measuring and visualizing ecological diversity from space based on generalized entropy and v) neutral landscape for testing ecological theories. We will make use of examples from the free and open source software GRASS GIS and R.