ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a broad general overview to spatial analysis, describing some of its basic features and capabilities and providing some examples of specific studies done using spatial analysis. Spatial analysis is a booming field in environmental studies, thanks to tremendous recent advances in the technologies of mapping and computer-based tools for spatial analysis. Spatial analysis uses information on spatial variation to allow people to characterize the spatial extent of environmental problems and the spatial relationship among variables. The fact that so many environmental issues have a spatial dimension provides an opportunity for researchers to study environmental problems by analyzing spatial patterns. Geographic information systems (GIS) have been created, in essence, so that researchers can apply quantitative techniques to what have historically been non-quantitative spatial data. The geographic databases are contained within computer-based systems that capture and store geographic information and then provide tools to manipulate, analyze, and display the information visually.
