What type of features in GIS can be represented as points, lines, or polygons?

Discrete features in GIS refer to distinct entities that can be clearly defined and have specific locations. These features can be represented in various geometric forms, specifically as points, lines, or polygons, depending on their characteristics.

Points are used to represent features that have a defined location but occupy little to no space, such as a well or a tree. Lines are utilized for linear features that connect multiple points, like roads or rivers. Polygons are employed for areas that encompass space, such as lakes or land parcels. This versatility makes discrete features vital in GIS, as they allow for a comprehensive representation of various physical and cultural elements in the environment.

In contrast, continuous phenomena, while prevalent in spatial analysis, describe features that can vary continuously across a space, such as temperature or elevation, which typically require different modeling techniques. Geometric shapes might imply various geometric forms without the specificity needed for feature representation and data structures refer to the ways data is organized for storage and retrieval. These do not accurately capture the nature of discrete features in GIS.