Question

Which one is the most appropriate application of the buffer tool?

a) Select trees within 20 meters of river
b) Calculate distance between fire stations A and B
c) Create map of areas within 5 miles of power plant
d) Create a map of all streets within Champaign Urbana

Answer 1

The most appropriate application of the buffer tool is to 'Create map of areas within 5 miles of power plant', as it involves creating an area of specific distance around a feature.

Step-by-step explanation:

The buffer tool in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is best used when you need to visualize the area around a certain point, line, or polygon. If we apply this to the options given, the most appropriate application of the buffer tool is to 'Create map of areas within 5 miles of power plant'. This is because it directly involves creating an area of a specified distance around a feature, which is precisely what the buffer tool is designed for. In contrast, selecting trees within 20 meters of a river or creating a map of all streets within Champaign Urbana might use additional GIS tools and do not specifically require a buffer. Calculating the distance between two points, like fire stations, doesn't require a buffer area at all, but rather a direct measurement tool.