Abstract

GIS as a Tool for Rainfall Analysis
Track: Agriculture
Authors: Noel Estwick

This paper examines the application of GIS as a tool to analyze rainfall events on a farm in southeast Texas. The study area is located in the Western Gulf Coastal Plain eco-region within close proximity to two other eco-regions. A case-study approach was adopted to explore the spatial variability of rainfall over a two year period. The objectives were to identify trends in rainfall events over the study period and determine if proximity to the two other eco-regions influenced the average rainfall in the study region. The Thiessen polygon feature in ArcGIS 10 was used to analyze rainfall data at seven locations on the farm. The results highlight limitations in the rainfall data collection method. However the results show that GIS is a suitable tool for analysis of rainfall data and point to its potential for the creation of spatial models for planting of crops based on rainfall patterns.