Geostatistics is a branch of science that applies statistical methods to spatial interpolation. Although geostatistics was developed independently of GIS, it has become an integral part of GIS. Without a computer and GIS mapping ability, it wouldn't be known outside a small group of geostatistical gurus. Just as one does not have to be a GIS expert to use GIS, one doesn't need to be a geostatistician to make effective use of geostatistics.