Rensselaer-Taconic Land Conservancy
Geographic Information Systems

WHAT IS A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is best defined as a "system of software with capabilities of management, analysis and display of geographic data." In its broader usage, a GIS includes the hardware, personnel, administrative structure, operational procedures and information contained in the system itself."

A GIS is a powerful computer tool that allows various types of spatial and nonspatial information to be viewed and analyzed. A GIS allows information from a specified database to be mapped for a particular area. For example, a GIS can produce a map of wetlands in Rensselaer County. This information is contained in data layers, sometimes known as "coverages."

A GIS involves much more than merely "computer mapping," and can also combine different types of information for analysis of an area or subject of interest. Comparisons of various factors can be made by creating overlays of the different types of information. For example, wetlands, soil conditions, and property boundaries can all be analyzed together and displayed on the same map. A GIS can also be used for a variety of sophisticated tasks, such as showing buffer zones around selected areas.

HOW CAN A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) BE USEFUL?

A GIS can help in land use planning by providing the ability to analyze a wide range of information important to the decision making process. Different combinations of land characteristics can be analyzed to provide insights into the suitability of land for potential uses. A GIS can also be used to aid in natural resource management, community planning, watershed management and emergency services.

The R-TLC has collaborated with government agencies such as the Rensselaer County Planning Department, Environmental Management Council,and Bureau of Research and Information Services (BRIS); The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service; and the County Soil and Water Conservation District to develop its GIS. The R-TLC can help you work with these and other partners to obtain additional information about land in the county.

Individual landowners can be provided with information about the unique characteristics of their property and adjacent lands so that they are able to better manage their property. Using its GIS capabilities, the R-TLC can provide information and analysis to assist resource managers and decision makers in land use planning.

WHAT DOES THE R-TLC'S GIS CONSIST OF?

The R-TLC has already invested in the computer technology necessary for a Geographic Information System. The R-TLC has also collected a wide variety of data on the resources of Rensselaer County. A list of overall GIS data layers for the County follows. In some cases, such as with streams and wetlands, our data is more accurate and detailed than similar data that is generally used. In other cases, the R-TLC has created data layers for the first time, such as for unique geological features and watersheds. In addition, the R-TLC has created data layers relating to specific properties and areas in the County.

These data layers can be supplied in either MapInfo or various standard export formats, free of charge, upon request. Use of certain data layers is restricted, and some data layers must be obtained directly from the originating agency. In other cases, the data is sensitive and we reserve the right to restrict its distribution and use.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THE R-TLC HAS USED THEIR GIS DATA?

The R-TLC has used its data in a number of innovative projects, such as:

  • determing appropriateness of land for development on the Rensselaer Plateau
  • presenting an overview of protected lands on the Taconic Mountain crest
  • mapping ecological communities using methodology we devised (See our page on the Botany Project).
  • used G.I.S. to aid in historical research, such as plotting the course of the "Albany Road" (See our page on Portfolio Sales), and presenting a model of a 200-year-old forest on the Rensselaer Plateau.
  • identifying and plotting all waterfalls in the County (See our page on County waterfalls).
  • produced maps for our book, Natural Areas of Rensselaer County, New York, including "before and after" maps for areas now occupied by two State parks.

    LIST OF R-TLC GIS DATA LAYERS:

  • aquifers (from Rensselaer County Soil & Water Conservation District)
  • archaeological sites ("circle and square" map) (polygons)
  • archaeological sites (points) USE RESTRICTED: SENSITIVE DATA
  • bedrock geology (from New York State Museum)
  • cemeteries
  • DLG hydrology (from USGS via New York State DEC)
  • historic sites and districts (polygons)
  • historic sites (points)
  • islands (used in conjunction with rivers and lakes)
  • lakes
  • lakesheds
  • mines (from New York State DEC)
  • municipal political boundaries
  • national register sites (from New York State OPRHP)
  • outings locations
  • planimetric map quadrangle raster images (from New York State DOT)
  • plant collection locationsUSE RESTRICTED: SENSITIVE DATA
  • protected lands (additional to reserved lands)
  • rare plant/animal sites (from New York State Natural Heritage Program) USE RESTRICTED: OBTAIN FROM ORIGINATING AGENCY
  • Rensselaer Plateau boundary
  • reserved lands
  • rivers (streams or stream sections which are depicted as closed polygons)
  • roads (all roads, for each town or city)
  • roads (interstate highways)
  • roads (state highways)
  • scenic sites and areas (polygons)
  • scenic sites (points)
  • school districts (adapted from New York State ORPS data)
  • soils (from Rensselaer County Soil & Water Conservation District)
  • streams (depicted as polylines)
  • surficial geology (from New York State Museum)
  • tax map parcels (except Rensselaer & villages) (from Rensselaer County BRIS) USE RESTRICTED: OBTAIN FROM ORIGINATING AGENCY
  • TIGER files (from US Bureau of the Census) (also covering other nearby counties)
  • topographic map quadrangle raster images - partial (from New York State DOT)
  • topographic map quadrangle raster images - complete (from USGS)
  • topography - 10 meter contours (from USGS)
  • trails
  • unique geological features (points)
  • waterfalls
  • watersheds (for each named stream)
  • watersheds (for larger streams and all tributaries)
  • wetlands (all known)
  • wetlands with state designations (from New York State DEC)
    (Data layers for specific areas and projects are not listed above.)




    • sample maps from the RTLC's GIS

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