The Role of Geoprocessing in Spatial Analysis

Geoprocessing is a key element of working with spatial data in GIS. Geoprocessing refers to a set of operations aimed at transforming, analyzing, and combining geographic features to generate new information.

Geoprocessing tools are used when it is necessary to prepare data for analysis, identify areas of interest, compare multiple information sources, or identify spatial patterns.

Basic Geoprocessing Tools for Working with Geometry

Basic geoprocessing tools include operations that modify or combine feature geometry. The Clip tool is used to clip one layer to the boundaries of another and is widely used to select data within a specified area. Subtract (Erase) allows you to exclude areas overlapping other features from a layer, which is useful when analyzing restriction or exclusion zones.

The Intersect tool creates a new layer containing only the common parts of intersecting features, making it indispensable when analyzing coincidences and overlaps between different geological or thematic layers. Merge is used to combine multiple layers of the same type into a single dataset and is useful when working with disparate information sources.

For analyzing boundaries and linear features, the Polygon to Line tool converts polygonal features to linear features while preserving their boundaries. This is especially useful when analyzing faults, geological body contours, and administrative boundaries.

Spatial analytical tools

A separate group of analytical tools is comprised of tools aimed at studying spatial relationships. Buffer is used to construct zones of influence around objects at a given distance and is used, for example, to assess the influence of geological faults, water bodies, or wells.

Spatial Analysis tools enable more complex operations, such as analyzing density, intersection, distances, and spatial dependencies between objects. 

Thiessen Polygons (Voronoi polygons), which are constructed from point objects and show the zones of immediate influence of each point, occupy a special place. In geology, they are used to interpolate well data, analyze sample distribution, and assess the spatial coverage of observations.

How to use the Geoprocessing widget in GISCARTA?

Step 1. To start using the widget, you need to make it available on the toolbar. To do this, enable it in the Widgets section using the toggle switch.

Step 2. Next, in the upper right corner of the widget window, you need to select the type of geoprocessing from the drop-down list that opens when you click Clip.

Step 3. The geoprocessing process itself. Let's look at each in more detail.

Clip

To work with this tool, you need to select the layer that we want to crop and the layer by which we will crop. You can also take into account the enabled filters in layers.
The result of the tool will be the intersection of objects of the first and second layers.

It is also worth noting that when selecting layers, in the upper right corner there is a graphical hint about what type of geometry can be selected.

The geoprocessing result will be added to the widget window. You can download it to your database.

You can find more details about how Clip works in our tutorial.

Subtract

You need to select two layers:
– the layer from which you will subtract
– the layer whose intersection you will subtract

The result of this tool will be the portion of the first layer that does not intersect the second.

You can learn more about how this tool works in our tutorial.

Intersect 

When using this tool, you need to select the layers you want to intersect. The result will be an intersection of the two layers.

You can learn more about how the tool works in our tutorial.

Merge

To use this tool, you need to select two layers of identical geometry. The result is a merged layer containing elements from both the first and second layers.

You can learn more about how the tool works in our tutorial.

Buffer

This tool allows you to create a buffer zone around an object with a specified radius. In the widget window, you can configure the radius and units of measurement.

You can learn more about how the tool works in our tutorial.

Spatial Analysis

To use this tool, you need to select one polygon layer to which the obtained values ​​will be attached. Next, select the layer for which statistics will be generated (this can be any geometry). Then, select the numeric attribute for the calculation. Finally, select the calculation type: min, max, mean, or sum. The result is a new polygon layer based on the first one with an additional attribute for statistics.

You can learn more about how the tool works in our tutorial.

Polygon to lines

You need to select the polygon layer that you want to convert into a line layer.

Thiessen Polygons

A tool that creates polygons defining areas of influence around each input point. You must select a point layer around which these areas will be built.

FAQ

What data types are supported by the Geoprocessing widget?
The widget supports point, line, and polygon layers. Available tools depend on the geometry type of the selected layers.

Can I use filtered layers in geoprocessing operations?
Yes, enabled filters in layers can be taken into account when running tools such as Clip and Subtract.

Where are geoprocessing results stored?
Results appear in the widget window and can be downloaded and saved to your database for further use.

Why are some layers unavailable for selection?
Each tool has geometry requirements. The widget shows graphical hints indicating which geometry types are compatible.

Key takeaways

Geoprocessing is essential for transforming, combining, and analyzing spatial data in GIS.

Tools like Clip, Intersect, and Subtract help identify overlaps, exclusions, and areas of interest.

Analytical tools such as Buffer, Spatial Analysis, and Thiessen Polygons reveal spatial relationships and influence zones.

The Geoprocessing widget in GISCARTA provides an intuitive, step-by-step workflow with downloadable results.