What does extrusion refer to in GIS?

Extrusion in GIS refers to the process of creating three-dimensional representations from two-dimensional data or non-3D data. This technique involves extending features vertically in a 3D space, effectively representing height or volume, which can be particularly useful for visualizing buildings, terrain, or other structures. For example, when a 2D polygon representing a building footprint is extruded to a certain height, it gives a clear visual representation of the building's structure in a 3D model.

This capability is important in various fields such as urban planning, architectural design, and environmental modeling, allowing users to better understand spatial relationships and physical characteristics of the landscape or urban environment. By enhancing our understanding through visualization, extrusion contributes to more informed decision-making in planning and analysis.

The other options focus on different GIS concepts. Converting vector data to raster data involves changing the format and is unrelated to creating 3D representations. Mapping geographical boundaries is more about delineating areas rather than adjusting data to visualize it in three dimensions. Simulating environmental changes refers to modeling potential changes in the environment over time, which is distinct from the act of creating 3D visualizations from flat data.