Utility Of Geographic Information Systems Research Articles

Modelling and Mapping of Aboveground Carbon of Oluwa Forest Reserve Using LandSat 8 TM and Forest Inventory Data

This research was carried out within the Oluwa Forest Reserve to evaluate and forecast its capacity for aboveground carbon sequestration using data from the Landsat Thematic Mapper. The Oluwa Forest Reserve, situated in Ondo State, Nigeria, is renowned for its abundant biodiversity and vast expanse. Assessing the forest's aboveground biomass and carbon traditionally involves intricate and expensive processes necessitating the expertise of diverse professionals and specialized equipment. Hence, this study investigated the utilization of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technology, employing Landsat bands to calculate spectral indices and construct linear models for predicting the aboveground carbon sequestration potential of the tropical rainforest ecosystem within the Oluwa Forest Reserve. The measured aboveground carbon from sample plots, alongside the estimated spectral indices, was utilized to simulate the distribution of aboveground carbon across the Oluwa Forest Reserve. A positive linear correlation was identified between the observed data and the estimated spectral indices. Consequently, linear models were developed, and the most suitable model was determined through statistical analysis. The average aboveground carbon estimated from the sample plots was 150.70 tons per hectare (t/ha), closely aligning with the predicted value of 149.80 t/ha. Statistical analysis yielded a coefficient of determination of 94% and a Root Mean Square Error of 6.38E-16. These results indicate that the selected model accurately predicts the distribution of aboveground carbon within the Oluwa Forest Reserve. This study underscores the importance of spectral data, GIS, and RS in the efficient modelling and mapping of aboveground carbon in extensive forest ecosystems.

The Utilization of Geographic Information System for Damaged roads in Medan Selayang District

Medan Selayang District is one of the sub-districts with the most populous activity center in Medan City where there is transportation infrastructure in the form of highways with various conditions, both roads with stable and unstable conditions so that they are vulnerable to roads damage. This study aims to map the level of potential road damage and analyze the level of potential road damage in Medan Selayang District using the Geographic Information System (GIS) application. The method used in this study is a data collection and data processing method using Quantum GIS. Data processing methods are in the form of georeferencing and digitization, parameter appreciation and overlap or overlay. The parameters used include slope, rainfall, soil type, traffic volume and the availability of drainage channels. The result of this study is a map of the potential level of roads damage in Medan Selayang sub-district with 3 categories of levels namely low damage along 4,714 Km (20.01%), moderate damage along 13,922 Km (59.12%) and high damage along 4,916 Km (20.87%). The distribution of potential road damage levels in Medan Selayang sub-district spreads for each category of damage levels

Development of Soil Quality Databases and Land Potential Assessment Using GIS: A Case Study of Lao Cai Province, Vietnam

The utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), particularly the Mapinfo software, is indispensable in the establishment of a land quality and land potential database encompassing each land parcel within Lao Cai province. Through a multifaceted approach involving data collection techniques, field surveys, data analysis, and the creation of both spatial and attribute databases, the GIS application in Lao Cai province has successfully compiled a comprehensive dataset. This dataset encompasses a range of layers, including boundaries, administrative demarcations, land use statuses, survey points, soil types, slope characteristics, soil depth, irrigation patterns, climatic conditions, soil fertility data, and transportation and hydrological information. The amalgamation of this spatial data with attribute data yields a comprehensive repository featuring information on 405 units of agricultural land quality and potential, in addition to 65 aggregated non-agricultural land parcels. This combined dataset functions as the foundational land quality and potential database for Lao Cai province. Assessment outcomes for land quality and land potential throughout the entire province reveal that 51.42% of the land exhibits low quality, 35.06% demonstrates moderate quality, and 13.52% boasts high quality. In terms of land potential, 29.15% is categorized as having low potential, 44.88% as having moderate potential, and 25.97% as having high potential. Furthermore, the precise delineation of land quality and potential for each land parcel within the database effectively caters to the information retrieval needs of land administrators and stakeholders. This research also seeks to contribute to the standardization of land databases at both the provincial and national levels, thereby bolstering land management efforts within the context of globalization, development, and climate change adaptation.

SEBARAN NILAI KAPASITAS TUKAR KATION (KTK) DAN KEMASAMAN (pH) TANAH DI TANAH VERTISOL KECAMATAN SAKRA KABUPATEN LOMBOK TIMUR

Abstract : this study aims to determine the distribution of Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and Acidity (pH) values ​​of soil. This research was conducted in December 2021 - January 2022. The location for taking soil samples was in Sakra District, East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. Soil analysis was carried out in January 2021 at the Soil Chemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mataram. The approach used in this study is the land unit (land unit). Soil samples in this study were taken by random sampling technique. The random sampling method is the process of taking samples using a random method. The sample points that will be used are 35 points representing vertisol soils in Sakra District. Soil sample data from the field is analyzed or tested in the laboratory. This laboratory test aims to determine the value of Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and Soil Acidity (pH). Utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in this research is by using the Arcgis application which is used to make maps. Maps are made by processing data that has been analyzed so that it can be entered and overlaid in the application. The results of the study showed that the CEC content analysis of this soil was classified as high, with medium to very high categories. Soil CEC at the study site ranged from 19.73 me/100gr to 69.62 me/100gr. Meanwhile, the results of the analysis of soil pH levels were classified as neutral, with a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline category. The pH level at the study site ranged from 6 to 8.4. Based on the results of research that has been done, this soil has a fairly good level of fertility, but it is necessary to add organic matter as a soil conditioner in order to maintain and increase soil fertility.

Water Resource Management Research in Benin: A Systematic Review

Benin has been the subject of numerous investigations in the complex realm of water resource management, encompassing hydrological, engineering, economic, ecological, and sociological facets. However, noticeable gaps exist, warranting a comprehensive review of the existing knowledge. This study offers a systematic review on the trends in water management research within Benin.
 Scholarly papers were carefully selected from reputable academic databases, including Web of Science, WorldCat, Google Scholar, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Science Direct, and Scopus. The selection criteria were stringent, focusing on English-keywords, journal articles and conference papers centered on water management or its associated challenges in the Benin context. The selection process entailed a two-phase screening protocol, commencing with an initial assessment based on titles, followed by subsequent screening based on abstracts and keywords. The chosen studies then underwent a thorough bibliometric analysis.
 The findings of this review reveal a noticeable surge in research activity related to water resource management in Benin in recent decades. These studies predominantly concentrate on rural areas. The breadth of research topics covers a wide spectrum, including water pricing reform, water policy formulation, water-related conflicts, the application of integrated water resource management, agro-dam management, challenges inherent in water resource management, water quality assessment, agricultural water usage, assessment of water availability, utilization of Geographic Information System (GIS), and the development of basin information system platforms. A majority of the examined articles emphasize water management and water availability.
 This review underscores the growing interest within the scientific community in exploring water resource management issues in rural Benin. Ineffective water management in Benin can be attributed to various factors, including inadequate financial support, deficient coordination among stakeholders in the water sector, a lack of transparency, suboptimal management of hydraulic infrastructure, inadequate dissemination and implementation of established legal and institutional frameworks, overlapping roles among actors involved in water resource management, and a notable scarcity of data.
 These findings highlight the urgent need for further research initiatives and policy interventions in these domains, with the overarching goal of enhancing the state of water management in Benin.

THE USE OF GIS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING OF LAND RESOURCES

This article explores the utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies in the management and monitoring of land resources. GIS has emerged as a powerful tool for analyzing spatial data, facilitating informed decision-making, and enhancing resource management practices. This article provides an overview of the key components of GIS technology and its applications in land resource management. By leveraging spatial data and analytical tools, GIS enhances decision-making processes, supports sustainable land use practices, and contributes to the conservation and sustainable development of land resources on a global scale.

A Systematic Review of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Agriculture for Evidence-Based Decision Making and Sustainability

The aim of this study was to consolidate current information on the utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) in the agricultural sector, with a focus on their role in promoting evidence-based policies and practices to enhance agricultural sustainability. Additionally, this review sought to identify the challenges hindering the widespread adoption of GIS and RS applications, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. This study employed the methodology of systematic literature review. The findings indicate that the utilization of GIS technology in the agricultural sector has experienced a notable increase over the past few years. The primary areas of use for GIS that have been identified encompass crop yield estimation, assessment of soil fertility, monitoring of cropping patterns, evaluation of drought conditions, detection and management of pests and crop diseases, implementation of precision agriculture techniques, and management of fertilizer and weed control. GIS technology possesses the capacity to augment the sustainability of agriculture by incorporating the spatial aspect of agricultural practices into agricultural policies. Furthermore, the potential of GIS in facilitating evidence-based decision making is expanding. Given the escalating peril of climate change on agriculture and food security, there exists a heightened imperative to include GIS into policy formulation and decision-making processes to enhance the sustainability of agricultural practices. The findings of this study might be beneficial in informing the development of policies that effectively integrate sustainable and climate-smart practices in agriculture.

Advancing Soil Erosion Assessment: Application of Remote Sensing and Geospatial Techniques in Bulango Ulu Reservoir Basin

Soil erosion is an important concern due to the steepness of the terrain and the significant elevation differential between the upstream and downstream regions of the basin. Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was integrated with Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) in the current work establish the annual soil erosion map in the Bulango Ulu Reservoir basin. The RUSLE model incorporated soil erosion zonation features such as rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, topographic, vegetation cover, and conservation support practices. The results show that 0 and 110.31 t year−1 are the minimum and maximum soil erosion, with the average rate of soil erosion is 17.30 t year−1 in the present study area. Soil erosion risk regions were divided into five categories: very slight, slight, moderate, severe and extremely severe soil erosion areal extent and area percentages is 229.17 km2 (94.48%), 7.83 km2 (3.23%), 4.25 km2 (1.75%), 1.20 km2 (0.50%), and 0.12 km2 (0.05%), respectively. The Area Under Curve was indicated that RUSLE model had good performance (75.1%). This study demonstrates the utility of GIS and remote sensing for predicting soil erosion, allowing important information to be extracted for implementing soil conservation programs in the Bulango Ulu reservoir basin.

An Example of Kriging Method based on Environmental Temperature for Altitude Mapping Using ArcGIS Software

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how Geographic Information System (GIS) software can be used for geographical interpolation, geostatistical analysis, and the creation of maps using relatively sparse data and highlighting the significance of this software in engineering and decision making. The method used in this study is applying ordinary kriging analysis on a gathered database to develop a variation map with interpolation analysis. The selected Z-values are the altitude and Environmental temperature of the selected zone which can contain a vast range. GIS can recognize and analyze the spatial relationships that exist within digitally stored spatial data. This method can bring ease for collecting data from a location that may have difficulties in visiting and gathering data by hand. By the use of semivariogram which is a graphical representation, and the covariance between every pair of points are used to calculate the spatial relationships between interpolating points. As a result, the final output of ArcGIS is a developed map showing altitude variation in the central area of Istanbul. This option can be used in making complex maps in every desired area by predicting Z-values for all the wanted zone based on the given database. Hence, the utility of GIS can bring a great improvement and ease in decision making and planning in civil engineering branches such as transportation, infrastructure, soil mechanics, and construction.

A Systematic Literature Review: Utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Geography Education in the 21st Century

Nowadays, the development of information and communication technology is running very rapidly. Geography education has a prominent role in ecosystem sustainability and cultural development, which is influenced by geographic data. Learning in the 21st Century with technological developments has increased. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become essential in changing how geography is understood and supported in the 21st century. Therefore, this research was conducted to investigate the role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in improving the quality of geography education. This research uses the PRISMA 2020 systematic literature review method using Scopus and Google Scholar as the database. A total of 101 articles were collected, but only 12 articles met the criteria for qualitative-thematic analysis. Research findings based on a systematic literature review state that there are two subject areas for using GIS in geography education: secondary schools and higher education. GIS in secondary school-level geography teaching, focuses on the output of increasing students' understanding and knowledge of spatial thinking. The aim of implementing GIS in higher education places greater emphasis on practical benefits in future geographic education development.

GIS-Based Progress Monitoring of SDGs towards Achieving Saudi Vision 2030

The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a blueprint for securing a sustainable, healthy, and just future for people and the environment. Through the implementation of various policies and initiatives for Vision 2030, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has significantly advanced its SDGs. Geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) technologies can play vital roles in tracking and assessing the progress of various government measures. This study investigated the potential of satellite-based RS and GIS technologies for planning, evaluating, and monitoring the status of SDGs. The significance of GIS in Saudi Vision 2030 was examined through a comprehensive literature review and expert interviews. In addition, we reviewed a case study to discuss the role and challenges of utilizing GIS big data for achieving SDGs in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, we explored the use of large datasets from community scientists and satellite monitoring of SDGs. Overall, we aimed to provide insightful recommendations regarding the utilization of GIS in the effective monitoring of the progress of the SDGs in achieving Saudi Vision 2030. This can aid decision-makers and country leaders in developing assessment frameworks.

Site suitability assessment for the development of wind power plant in Wolaita area, Southern Ethiopia: an AHP-GIS model

The primary driver of economic growth is energy, predominantly derived from fossil fuels, the demand for which has experienced a significant increase since the advent of the Industrial Revolution. The emissions of hazardous gases resulting from the utilization of these fuels have been well acknowledged, therefore exerting a notable impact on the environment. In the context of Ethiopia, it is observed that despite the presence of ample renewable resources, the accessibility to power continues to be constrained. In order to effectively tackle this issue, it is imperative to redirect attention towards the utilization of renewable sources, such as wind energy, as a means of enhancing the existing power grid infrastructure. The present study used geospatial tools to evaluate the appropriateness of the Wolayita region for the establishment of a wind power facility. The process of site selection is guided by multiple factors, and a multi-criteria approach is facilitated through the utilization of Geographic Information System (GIS). The evaluation of seven characteristics was conducted utilizing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, which involved pairwise comparisons and weighted scoring. The process of suitability mapping involves the classification of locations into four distinct categories, which range from the most suitable to the least suitable. The findings demonstrate that the area of 0.628% (28.00 km2) is deemed the most suitable, while 54.61% (2433.96 km2) is considered somewhat acceptable. Additionally, 0.85% (37.85 km2) is identified as the least suitable, leaving a remaining 43.91% (1060.00 km2) that is deemed unsuitable. The central, northwestern, and southern regions are identified as optimal geographic areas. The results of this study facilitate the process of investing in renewable energy, thereby assisting Ethiopian authorities and organizations in promoting sustainable development. This report serves as a crucial reference point for the wind energy industry.

PEMETAAN PRASARANA DAN KONTUR KAMPUS UNIVERSITAS WIRARAJA BERDASARKAN CITRA PENGINDRAAN JAUH

Wiraraja University campus from its establishment in 1986 to 2023 has a period of 37 years which has experienced many developments, especially learning infrastructure. The development of infrastructure needs to be mapped to determine the distribution of learning infrastructure on the Wiraraja University campus. The utilization of geographic information system (GIS) technology and the development of infrastructure on the Wiraraja University campus, it is necessary to map the infrastructure and contours on the Wiraraja University campus which will later obtain an overview of the infrastructure. The purpose of the study was to determine the infrastructure map and the percentage of infrastructure to the overall land and contour map of Wiraraja University campus. The research used Google Earth and ArcMap. The research data collection was carried out by field survey and data collection of infrastructure on the campus of Wiraraja University and the research data was carried out by frequency analysis.
 Land use on the campus of Wiraraja University is divided into the categories of buildings, sports fields, covered and open parking, parks, roads and vacant land. The land area of Wiraraja University campus based on Google Earth images with the digitization method is 22,711.86 m2. The largest land use is used as a building at 37.54%, while the smallest land use is used as a covered parking lot at 1.78%. The elevation of the Wiraraja University campus is between 3.67 - 5.94 m elevation and the highest elevation is 5.94 meters and the lowest elevation is 3.67 meters above mean sea level.

Understanding the impact of hydrodynamics on coastal erosion in Latin America: a systematic review

Coastal zones in Latin America support a significant regional population and are vital for providing essential ecosystem services that underpin crucial socio economic activities. However, these zones face pressing challenges, with coastal erosion being a prominent concern. Coastal erosion not only jeopardizes coastal stability but also leads to occasional loss of natural habitats. This is particularly worrisome for sandy beaches due to the consistent shoreline retreat in specific regions. Short term adverse effects of coastal erosion are often attributed to human activities. Nonetheless, the influence of hydrodynamic processes, intensified by extreme events, is gaining prominence. This is due to the combined impact of tides, waves, currents, and other factors, resulting in accelerated shoreline retreat and significant losses of infrastructure and beach areas across Latin America. This article conducts a comprehensive analysis of case studies in Latin America related to coastal erosion due to hydrodynamic processes. Employing a systematic review approach, data is extracted from Scopus and Web of Science databases. From an initial dataset of 701 records, 62 records meet strict eligibility criteria. Case studies present evidence of how hydrodynamic processes interact with various factors, encompassing oceanic climatic conditions, atmospheric climatic conditions, anthropogenic influences, geomorphological and bathymetric characteristics, geological and tectonic factors, and climate change related aspects. These interactions have an immediate and significant impact on sandy beaches, emphasizing the necessity of comprehensively addressing these linkages when analyzing shoreline changes. This approach aids in identifying key erosion mechanisms and developing effective mitigation measures. Furthermore, the article provides a concise overview of data sources, tools, and methodologies identified in the case studies, spanning from field investigations to the utilization of geographic information systems and numerical models. Underscores the crucial role of international academic collaboration in coastal erosion research, facilitating the adoption of innovative methodologies from other regions, potentially offering a more comprehensive perspective in the formulation of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Finally, potential areas for future research in Latin America are explored, including the assessment of extreme event variability and its impacts on local and regional hydrodynamic processes. This aspect holds critical importance in steering future research towards scenarios that encompass economic and social considerations.

Sebaran Objek Wisata Bahari di Kecamatan Nusaniwe, Kota Ambon Berbasis Sistem Informasi Geografis

The utilization of geographic information systems (GIS) can make a significant contribution in analyzing the distribution of marine tourism objects in Nusaniwe District. This will help to make better decisions in developing supporting infrastructure, promotion, and improving the quality of services for tourists. This research utilizes Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to map the distribution of marine tourism objects in Nusaniwe District, Ambon City. The results showed that there are eight tourist attractions in Nusaniwe District including; Pintu Kota, Namalatu Beach, Santai Beach, Lima Jari Beach - Dutch Pool, Amahusu Beach, Batu Lubang Beach, Wainitu Beach and Tanjung Nusaniwe. The results of Mapping the distribution of marine tourism objects in Nusaniwe District are expected to help the community in the destination of traveling in Ambon City, especially marine tourism and also useful for the Ambon City government, especially the Tourism Office so that in the future it continues to pay attention and continues to develop marine tourism objects in Ambon City as one of the tourist attractions in Nusaniwe District.

The Utilization of Geographic Information Systems for Settlement Location Determination in Supporting Sustainable Development: Study Case in Sedayu Sub-District, Bantul Regency, DIY

The phenomenon of unsuitable settlement becomes a major issue in environmental problems in big cities. The purpose of this study is to provide innovation design recommendations for determining the location of appropriate settlements to realize the implementation of smart cities. The resulting output of this study is an innovation in settlement location determination. The innovation using a geographic information system equipped with a variety of spatially processed information with overlay techniques. The results of the geographic information system process are then extracted into a mobile application design. Study case in Sedayu District show that the area consists of 36.9% of the area is not suitable for analysis; 36.4% of the area is not suitable for use, and 26.7% of the area is suitable for use. Mobile application design in this study called Smart Application for Smart Resident with two main features, My Contribution (KOKU) and Recommendations and Settlement Locations feature. This innovation can help the community by providing information and recommendations for suitable, less suitable, and unsuitable settlement locations. Thus, the existence of the result study can be a consideration of the community in determining the location of settlements by aspects of sustainable development.

Spatial evaluation of healthcare accessibility across archipelagic communities of Maluku Province, Indonesia.

The Maluku Province is an underdeveloped region in Indonesia with over 1,340 scattered islands. Due to the limited health facilities and transportation infrastructure, access to healthcare is very challenging. Here, we combined data from various sources to locate the population clusters, health facilities, roads, and ports/docks, and then utilize geographic information systems (GIS) to estimate distances from residents to health facilities. Health workforce distribution data was then integrated to elucidate overall healthcare equity among districts in the province. The average distances to puskesmas (primary health clinics) were 8.89 km (by land) and 18.43 km (by land and water) respectively, and the average distances to hospitals were 56.19 km (by land) and 73.09 km (by land and water), with large disparities within and among districts. Analysis of health workforce data shows that 65% of 207 puskesmas lack physicians, while 49% lack midwives. Ambon, Tual, and Southeast Maluku have the highest health equity, while East Ceram, Buru, and South Buru have the lowest. In general, this study demonstrates the utility of GIS and spatial analyses, which can help identify problem areas in healthcare accessibility and equity in archipelago settings, and provide recommendations to stakeholders such as public health officials and district administrators.

Identifying need for spay and neuter services: A GIS-based analysis

Abstract This study provides a method for assessing the need for spay and neuter services in Massachusetts by creating a composite index that accounts for spatial accessibility and social vulnerability. An accessibility index (AI) of existing low-cost spay/neuter (S/N) facilities was created using the two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method which was then combined with the social vulnerability index (SVI) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create a need index (NI). Two methods for selecting the final target areas from the NI results were examined and used to make recommendations for S/N funding allocation. The construction of the NI (i.e. factors included or weights applied to factors) had a significant impact on the results. The NI displayed statistically significant spatial autocorrelation, and hot spot analysis revealed statistically significant clusters of comparatively high- and low-need regions in the state. The target areas identified were strongly influenced by high levels of social vulnerability in urban areas and low spatial accessibility of low-cost S/N facilities in more rural western Massachusetts. The results of this project demonstrate the utility of geographic information systems (GIS)-based analysis in veterinary and shelter medicine, as well as the potential for the use of non-veterinary specific data, such as the CDC SVI, when planning the equitable distribution of limited resources. One Health impact statement Providing spay and neuter (S/N) services to owned and free-roaming cats, dogs and other companion animal species is integral to the health and well-being of the animals themselves. Their human companions also reap the physical and mental health benefits of the human–animal bond, in addition to the environmental and public health impact of limiting free-roaming dog and cat populations. By recognizing the relationships between human and animal populations, existing gaps in need can be addressed through the use of human data to inform decisions on animal health when relevant animal health service data are lacking. A composite index of factors accounting for the social vulnerability was combined with the spatial accessibility of existing S/N resources to create a final index of need for S/N resources. This transdisciplinary approach takes methodologies from public health, acknowledges the impact of the vulnerability of human populations on surrounding companion animal populations, and applies a practical method of identifying the need for specific veterinary medical services.

Utilization of Geographic Information System for hydrological analyses: A case study of Karbala province, Iraq

Analyses are the power point of GIS because GIS can process and analyze different spatial and attribute data, leading to new results for supporting decision makers. The research aims to study advanced hydrologic analyses for the western part of Karbala province, Iraq. The hydrologic analysis is done based on where that DEM creates from the field survey method. This analysis gives digital maps and tables showing the region's main and minor hydrological properties, such as flow direction, flow accumulation, stream order, stream to feature, basin, and watershed maps. Also, it can be calculated as area, perimeter, lengths of streams, and numbers of stream orders for the main watersheds that are effective in the study area. These analyses are very important for making decisions in studying the hydrologic properties of any region in Iraq, and the GIS technique saves time, cost, and effort.

Application and utility of geographic information systems in pharmacy specific health research: A scoping review.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are considered essential tools to analyze spatially referenced health data. The purpose of this scoping review is to describe how GIS is used in pharmacy specific health research. During July 2020, the following databases were searched: EMBASE, MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science and Scopus. The search strategy included terms relating to spatial analysis and pharmacy. Studies were considered eligible if they involved the use of GIS and focused on pharmacies. A narrative and tabular synthesis of the results was carried out, structured around the spatial analysis methods utilized across studies, as well as the characteristics of pharmacies evaluated in studies. After a review of 6967 sources, 48 studies were included in this review. Twenty-nine studies were conducted in the United States (60.4%) and thirty-six focused on accessibility (75.0%; n=36). Twenty-two studies investigated the relationship between sociodemographic aspects of the population and the accessibility and availability of pharmacies (45.8%). Twelve studies (25.0%) performed distance analysis and six studies (12.5%) performed geostatistical analysis. Community pharmacies were the setting evaluated most frequently, with over-the-counter selling products being the most evaluated pharmacy variable (13.3%; n=6). Population density (58.3%; n=28), income indicators (43.8%; n=21) and minority community composition rates (41.7%; n=20) were the most used population variables. GIS have been increasingly used in pharmacy specific health research. Generally, research has sought to identify potential barriers to access and their effects on the population. Future research may benefit by utilizing robust spatial methods and applications across countries outside of the United States. Doing so could help to confirm the impact of sociodemographic characteristics on the availability and/or accessibility of pharmacies globally.