As the name suggests, single layer analyses are those that are undertaken on an
individual feature dataset. Buffering1
is the process of creating an output polygon
layer containing a zone (or zones) of a specified width around an input point, line,
or polygon feature. Buffers are particularly suited for determining the area of
influence around features of interest. Geoprocessing2
is a suite of tools provided by
many geographic information system (GIS) software packages that allow the user to
automate many of the mundane tasks associated with manipulating GIS data.
Geoprocessing usually involves the input of one or more feature datasets, followed
by a spatially explicit analysis, and resulting in an output feature dataset.