Acquisition of Research Equipment for the First GIS Center in Southeastern Idaho

该奖项为在爱达荷州东南部完成第一个地理信息系统培训和研究中心的建立提供支持。地理信息系统为用户提供了通过使用计算机系统获取、组织、操作和分析空间数据的能力。或者，更简单地说，数据被收集并绘制到数字“地图”上，在那里可以进行分析，或者在建模练习中进行处理。通过与地球同步卫星进行三角测量，可以获得非常准确的空间数据，甚至可以在/-1厘米以内。地理信息系统技术具有广泛的研究应用，包括考古学、人类学、生物科学、地质学、生态学等领域。在许多领域，地理信息系统技术培训正在成为毕业生求职的竞争性要求。同时，爱达荷州东南部是研究人员和学生学习地理信息系统应用的理想实验室。爱达荷州作为一个州，非常关注环境问题，并保护其自然资源。它有惊人的地理多样性，包括蛇河平原热点轨道和北美大陆最深的峡谷之一。它还拥有较低的48个州中最大的指定荒野区域。由于这些因素和许多其他因素，爱达荷州的生物多样性极其丰富，其中大部分相对来说是不受人类约束的。所有这些多样性--物理的、生物的、环境的--都需要研究才能使保护措施发挥作用。通过该奖项获得的设备将增加爱达荷州立大学教职员工、研究生和本科生在广泛领域的研究机会。它还将被商业、工业和政府机构和组织(从地方一级到联邦一级)大量使用。该中心将成为研究和维护爱达荷州自然环境的重要工具。

This award provides support to complete the establishment of the first GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Training and Research Center in Southeastern Idaho. GIS provides users with the ability to acquire, organize, manipulate and analyze spatial data through the use of computer systems. Or, more simply, data are collected and plotted onto digital "maps," where it can be analyzed, or manipulated in modeling exercises. Very accurate spatial data are obtainable, to within +/- lcm, through triangulation with geostationary satellites. GIS technology has a wide array of research applications, including such fields as Archeology, Anthropology, Biological Sciences, Geology, Ecology, and many more. In many fields, training in GIS technology is becoming a competitive requirement for graduates seeking jobs. At the same time, southeastern Idaho is an ideal laboratory for both researchers and students to learn the applications of GIS. Idaho, as a state, is very concerned with environmental issues, and protecting its natural resources. It has remarkable geographic diversity, including the Snake River Plain Hot Spot Track and one of the deepest canyons on the North American Continent. It also has the largest designated wilderness area in the lower 48 states. As a result of these and many other factors, Idaho is extremely rich in biodiversity, and much of it is relatively untrammeled by humans. All of this diversity -physical, biological, environmental--requires study if protective measures are to work. The equipment obtained through this award will increase research opportunities for Idaho State University Faculty, Graduate and Undergraduate students from a wide range of fields. It will also be heavily utilized by business, industry and government agencies and organizations (from the local level to the federal). The center will be an important tool for the study and maintenance of Idaho's natural environment.