7th edition. QGIS online course applied to Precision Agriculture. Level 1

The course program that we now propose is based on the presentation of a free and open source software known as QGIS.

The QGIS program has a series of basic functionalities similar to other GIS programs, but it has very interesting extra functionalities that differentiate it from these and that can either complement the GIS you are currently working with, or, if you do not know any GIS, it is a very good option when deciding which GIS software to choose to start working with.

This is an introductory course on the use of geographic information systems, especially designed for engineers who work in rural areas and other professionals who regularly need to manage any type of information on a specific territory.

This is a software that, in addition to being free, is characterized by having a simple interface and at the same time being sufficiently powerful to develop tools for managing territorial information, both geographic and alphanumeric.

QGIS can work with data in various formats ( gml, dxf, kml , shape, ...) as well as having tools to work as an advanced remote information client (WMS, WFS...) located on data servers so that you can access different services such as the Cadastre , National Geographic Institute , SIGPAC , ICGC , as well as allowing the visualization of all Google Maps cartography.

Among its functionalities that differentiate it from the rest, it is worth highlighting: creation of standardized data entry forms, export to KML to view and locate your cartography on Google Earth and on mobile devices (Google Maps ), management of satellite/airplane/drone images for vegetation vigor index calculations (Remote Sensing), automation of printing multiple plans at once (all the properties in a parcel), generation of GML files for cadastral graphic validation , etc.

Now you have the opportunity to discover how geographic information is managed and you can learn it with a completely free tool, install it on your computer or laptop and practice with it from the very first moment.

GOALS:
Throughout the course we will have the opportunity for the user to learn and use the QGIS program, so that they can get the most out of it in their daily work or leisure activities.

CONTENTS:
The objectives we have set ourselves to achieve once the next course is over:

1. Find out about the free maps available and download them from the websites of the National Geographic Institute (IGN), Cartographic Institute of Catalonia (ICGC), Cadastre, Hipermapa and the Open Data website of the Generalitat.

2. Creation of our own cartography from scratch based on orthophotos to be able to create our own GIS through: digitalization of all the properties, inventory of buildings (warehouses, sheds, etc.) and infrastructure (pipe system, hydrants, wells, etc.).

3. Merging our information contained in Excel tables with graphic Cadastral/SIGPAC information. Useful for technicians who manage many plots.

4. Create data entry forms in your parcel: with buttons and drop-down menus with predetermined options to speed up and make data entry more comfortable (photographs taken in the field can be added). It can be used, for example, to add extra information in cadastral parcels or SIGPAC enclosures: species present, variety, owner name, plantation frame, presence/absence of irrigation, fertilisation, production in kg/ha in different years, etc.

5. Creation of thematic colour maps based on variables of interest.

6. Know the dimensions of the plots from the Digital Terrain Model.

7. Convert any map for viewing in Google Earth (GE). GE is a well-known software that is widely used due to its simplicity and that will allow us to see what we are viewing in our GIS, as well as create a 3D perspective and see the terrain relief in the area that interests us.

8. Use Google Maps as a base map. This allows us to view any place in the world without leaving our GIS program and we can draw plots and measure their surface area.

9. Load and view the cartography created by us on our mobile device (tablet/smartphone) with Google Maps and be able to locate plots and irrigation infrastructure in the field with the mobile phone.

10. Learn about some plugins that can be added to the program to enable extra features of interest that do not come by default in the program installation.

11. Use of StreetView. It allows us to view photographs taken by the Google car of any place in the world and to take a look at farms along roads and highways before visiting them.

12. Import/Export to different cartography formats : AutoCAD (DXF).

13. Measure lengths and surfaces directly on orthophotos and/or Google Maps, etc.).

14. Cross-referencing of maps to obtain areas included within SPA, PEIN or Natura 2000 Network zones.

15. Print maps to image format for reporting purposes.

16. Creation of plans with boxes for printing on paper and in PDF

• DATES: April 1, 7, 22, 28 and May 6 and 13, 2025.

• SCHEDULE. Afternoon: from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.