Raster and vector data in ecological research applications

Geographical information systems (GIS) have been increasingly used for analysis of spatial and temporal ecological phenomena. Raster and vector GIS were both used for input, manipulation and analysis of ecological data. Raster systems, which assign individual data values to each cell, were useful for proximity analyses and analysis of temporal change. Vector data, which depict homogeneous areas as polygons delimited by curvilinear boundaries, however, were preferable for analysis of linear features, such as perimeters, stream lengths, landscape corridors or ecotones. Case studies of research in dynamics of old-growth forests, effects of beaver on the hydrologic regime of a boreal landscape, and cumulative impacts of wetland loss are discussed in reference to implementation of raster and vector GIS data analysis. -Authors