Characteristics and Examples of Spatial Data - Introducing Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS - page 104

Storage of geographic (and other) data about the following:
Climate
Bedrock
Surficial geology
Physiography
Hydrology
Soils
Vegetative cover
Wildlife habitats
helps us
Identify, delineate, and manage areas of environmental concern
Analyze land-carrying capacity
Write environmental impact statements
Energy
Energy potentials begin their service for humankind in many forms—oil, gas, coal, hydraulic head, wind,
tide, sun, fission, fusion—and always wind up in the same way: heat .
The problems associated with the efficient and useful transfer of energy potential to heat are myriad;
much of the time we throw away large amounts of energy because it does not serve a particular
process—for instance, nuclear power plants discharge vast quantities of heat into rivers to the detriment
of the fish and the loss to human beings paying for gas to heat their home. A geographic information
system is not the answer to the sensible use of energy, but it is a tool that can help reduce energy waste.
Spatially distributed data on energy sources, energy movements, and energy use of all kinds could
lead to a greater understanding of our wastefulness and how to prevent it. These datasets could lead to
discovery of new energy sources and how to tap them And could alert us to dangers to water supplies
from methods of gas and oil extraction, such as hydraulic fracturing of sub-surface rock, (fracking).
Storage of geographic (and other) data about the following:
Potential energy sources
Location
Size
Cost of extraction or tapping
Surrounding environment
Access
Process capability