This chapter introduces you to different types of spatial data manipulation in R and QGIS. We'll learn how to merge shapefiles and clip our data to a vector file, differences between shapefiles, how to get the intersection of point data and line data, and how to create a buffer around a feature. We'll use R and QGIS to demonstrate these operations and you'll find out that, for some of these operations, R is more convenient than QGIS, and vice versa. All of these techniques are very helpful to have in a geospatial analyst's toolbox.
After completing this chapter, you'll have hands-on knowledge of the following:
- Combining shapefiles
- Clipping points to the boundary of a shapefile
- Difference
- Intersection between two vector files
- Creating buffers
- Calculating the area of polygons
- Converting vector data types
- Creating statistical...