Caving 16,000 Years Ago: Pleistocene Human Movement Within the Decorated Cave of Etxeberri, Western Pyrenees (France)

Archeological evidences have unearthed the fact that the history of map making existed since ages. Humans have broadened their understanding over the years, about size, shape, and processes associated with earth, which in turn contributed in making sophisticated and accurate representation of the globe and its phenomena. Advancements in space technology, digital information, and communication technologies have stimulated the growth of earth-oriented information science/system, in short theCONTENTS1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 1 1.2 Blossoming of Geoinformatics ................................................................ 2 1.3 Elements of a GIS ...................................................................................... 3 1.4 Geographic Phenomena, Types, and Its Representation ..................... 31.4.1 Spatial Data Structure .................................................................. 5 1.4.2 Spatial Layers or Geodatabase .................................................... 7 1.4.3 Planimetric Requirements ........................................................... 7 1.4.4 Errors and Data Quality in GIS ................................................ 111.5 Spatial Analysis ....................................................................................... 11 1.5.1 Geostatistics ................................................................................. 12 1.5.2 Spatial Decision Support System .............................................. 131.6 Recent Trends and Future Challenges in GIS ..................................... 14 1.6.1 2D GIS to 3D GIS ......................................................................... 15 1.6.2 2D, 3D GIS to 4D GIS .................................................................. 15 1.6.3 Crisp Data to Fuzzy Data .......................................................... 16 1.6.4 Closed to Open Environment ................................................... 161.7 Conclusion ............................................................................................... 17 References .......................................................................................................... 19development of geographical information system (GIS), which helps in representing and modeling earth’s phenomena in an ef‰cient way. Many new terminologies and terms, like geoinformatics, geomatics, geospatial systems, remote sensing (RS), GIS, etc., are often used when one deals with GIS. It has been generally felt that the term “GIS” restricts one to the idea of computer hardware and software, but the term “geoinformatics” was well received as it conveys and covers a broader meaning. There are many de‰nitions coined for the term “geoinformatics.” A simple way to understand this terminology would be to divide it as geo + informaticsthe usage of information technology for geographic analysis. This chapter considers a de‰nition on geoinformatics as “an integrated science and technology that deals with acquisition and manipulation of geographical data, transforming it into useful information using geoscienti‰c, analytical, and visualization techniques for making better decisions.” In this chapter, the term GIS is assumed to represent geoinformatics and vice versa. This chapter begins with a brie‰ng on historical background about GIS; explains basic terminologies, concepts, and spatial database organization; gives a glimpse of the variety of spatial analytical functions and applications; and, ‰nally, leads to a spectrum of issues, trends, and challenges in the geoinformatics domain.

I Geographical Information Systems and Planning.- 1 Geographical information systems: the emerging requirements.- 2 The application of geographical information systems in urban and regional planning.- 3 Growth of geographical information system applications in developing countries.- II Data Management.- 4 Intelligent information systems for accessing planning databases: the San Francisco experience.- 5 Geographical information systems database design: experiences of the Dutch National Physical Planning Agency.- III Urban Planning Applications.- 6 Information management within the planning process.- 7 Fixed asset management and geographical information systems in the Netherlands.- 8 Geographic information system development in Tacoma.- IV Decision Support Systems for Land Use Plannng.- 9 Regional planning for new housing in Randstad Holland.- 10 Geographical information system applications in environmental impact assessment.- 11 A geographical information system based decision support system for environmental zoning.- 12 Multicriteria analysis and geographical information systems: an application to agricultural land use in the Netherlands.- V Spatial Analysis, Modelling and Decision Support.- 13 The application of geographical information systems in the spatial analysis of crime.- 14 Spatial analysis and geographical information systems: a review of progress and possibilities.- 15 Geographical information systems and model based analysis: towards effective decision support systems.- 16 Decision support and geographical information systems.- VI Education and Management.- 17 Education in geographical information systems.- 18 How to cope with geographical information systems in your organisation.- VII Developments in Hardware and Software.- 19 Geoprocessing and geographic information system hardware and software: looking toward the 1990s.- 20 Geographical information systems and visualization.- VIII Information Based Societies.- 21 Geographical information systems in perspective.- References.- Color plates.

Species living in the deep subterranean environment tend to share similar morphological characters evolved independently from epigean ancestors, the troglomorphic phenotype. They also tend to have very restricted distributions, as a consequence of their limited dispersal capabilities. Until recent years, the predominant view on the evolution of the subterranean fauna was that troglomorphic species were strictly confined to the deep subterranean environment, with the implication that species not in close geographic vicinity must have independently developed their troglomorphic characters in a sort of concerted evolution close to the traditional concept of orthogenesis. Recent developments on the knowledge of the ecology and the phylogenetic history of several groups with abundance of subterranean species are changing this view. First, there is increasing evidence that epigean and deep subterranean environments form a continuum without clear limits and that troglomorphic species can occupy different parts of this continuum at different times depending on their particular conditions. And second, the availability of molecular phylogenies has led to the discovery of monophyletic lineages of troglomorphic species only, suggesting the single origin of the subterranean colonisation and of the troglomorphic characters, with subsequent dispersal and diversification of already subterranean species.

Developing a Geographic Information System (GIS) for Mapping and Analysing Fossil Deposits at Swartkrans, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Vulnerability Assessment of Electric Power Supply under Extreme Weather Conditions

In recent years, the use of remotely sensed data and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications has been found increasing in a wide range of resources inventory, mapping, analysis, monitoring and environmental management. Remote sensing data provides an opportunity for better observation and systematic analysis of terrain conditions following the synoptic and multi-spectral coverage. In the present study, the geomorphological analysis reveals that various denudational and depositional landforms have been analysed and mapped. The soil depth ranges from extremely shallow in isolated mounds to very deep in the pediplains. Based on the slope gradient, morphometry, soil depth, vegetation cover and image characteristics of standard FCC imagery of IRS-1D LISS-III data, four categories of eroded lands i.e., very severe, severe, moderate and nil to slight have been identified and mapped. The integrated analysis of slope, geomorphology and degraded lands layers in GIS revealed that the pediplains, rolling plains and subdued plateau are associated with very severe land degradation and accounts for 6.05%, 3.85% and 3.47% of total area respectively. The analysis of percentage of degraded lands at geomorphic sub unit level indicates that severe land degradation process is dominant in the dissected ridges, isolated mounds, escarpments and plateau spurs. The remote sensing data and GIS based detailed geomorphological and degraded lands analysis ensure better understanding of landform-eroded lands relationship and distribution to assess the status of land degradation at micro geomorphic unit for reclamation, geo-environmental planning and management. Similar study also helps in the areas of natural resource management, environmental planning and management, watershed management and hazards monitoring and mitigation.

<p>Slope dynamics include different processes capable to affect the channel network and influence fluvial dynamics. Landslides and mass wasting processes can be an important source of sediments supply into riverbeds. On the other hand, water courses can erode or re-shape and re-activate slope movements. The aim of this study is the integration of different geomatics methods and techniques in the frame of a more general assessment of the interaction between slope and fluvial dynamics. The study area is situated in the Scoltenna basin in the Northern Apennines (Italy) and displays both active and dormant landslides.</p><p>The research so far conducted dealt with an integrated methodological approach applied in order to analyse slope dynamics, including remote and proximal sensing techniques, repeated field surveys and geomorphometric analysis. The key for understanding the effects of such dynamics is the complementarity and the integration of different methods and technologies. In this study, satellite interferometry, global navigation satellite systems surveys (GNSS), aerial photogrammetry based on uncrewed vehicles, and terrestrial laser scanning were used. All ancillary data related to the surveying practice were incorporated and integrated. An in-depth review of existing literature and thematic maps was performed, including the analysis of pre-existing digital data on online platforms and archives (e.g., historical aerial photos, high-resolution satellite images, hydrological dataset etc.). All datasets were organized in a multitemporal perspective, so each individual product was referred to the same georeferenced system and implemented in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment.</p><p>Three study sites, that most reflect the interaction between slope and fluvial dynamics in the Scoltenna basin, were selected to be analysed in detail and monitored through time. The first site (Olina landslide) shows geomorphological evidence of recent activity and was investigated by means of Terrestrial Laser Scanning, UAV photogrammetry (with the drone “DJI Phantom 4 RTK”) and GNSS surveys. The second site (Sasso Cervaro landslide) seems to present a complex style of activity combining multiple mechanisms; in this case UAV photogrammetry (with the drone “Autel Evo 2 Pro”) and GNSS surveys were performed. The third site (La Confetta landslide) is characterized by a recent reactivation at the foot of the slope; here UAV photogrammetry (with the drone “DJI Phantom 4 RTK”) and GNSS surveys were carried out. In the three sites, two monitoring campaigns were performed in order to recognize and monitor possible displacements through time. The next steps of the research foresee further monitoring campaigns and the integration of the collected data on slope movements with the evidence of fluvial morphodynamics.</p>

The present paper is focused on the application of a methodological model specifically designed to develop the tasks related to analysis and dissemination of the Roman Hispania site of Arucci (Aroche, Huelva). The main aim of our approach is to reconcile the diffusion of the results obtained after the excavation, documentation, and the study of the archaeological record with the methodological analysis of a Geographic Information System (GIS). We consider that a GIS is the most appropriate tool in archaeology for this purpose since it allows users to manage a large amount of data in diverse formats and insert it in a closed topographic reference frame. For that purpose, we restrict the field of action to the North House (a house built in the time of Emperor Augustus that lasted until the 3rd century AD). The real power of this research relies on the integration of the digital building archaeological record in a GIS, while the architecture of the Roman house is reconstructed virtually from archaeological remains, in this way the domestic space is visually comprehensible. According to the results obtained in this pilot experience, we can affirm that the union of GIS and infographics allows archaeological reality to surpass the strictly academic scope and promote it to society making possible the Arucci site approachable to professionals of archaeology as well as to the uninitiated. The feasibility of the proposal that was carried out within the North House encourages us to consider the export of this study model to the rest of buildings that make up the site such as the foro, macellum, balneum as, well as other domus.

Urban spatial data is the source of information in analysing risks due to natural disaster, evacuation planning, risk mapping and assessments, etc. Global positioning system (GPS) is a satellite-based technology that is used to navigate on earth. Geographical information system (GIS) is a software system that facilitates software services to mankind in various application domains such as agriculture, ecology, forestry, geomorphology analysis in earthquake and landslides, laying of underground water pipe connection and demographic studies like population migration, urban settlements, etc. Thus, spatial and temporal relations of real-time activities can be analysed to predict the future activities like predicting places of interest. Time analysis of such activities helps in personalisation of activities or development of recommendation systems, which could suggest places of interest. Thus, GPS mapping with data analytics using GIS would pave way for commercial and business development in large scale.

BackgroundThis paper discusses the hydrological problems assessment of flash floods and the encroachment of wastewater in selected urban areas of Greater Cairo using remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. The integration of hydrogeological and geomorphological analyses with the fieldwork of drainage basins (Wadi Degla) hosting these urban areas endeavors to provide the optimum mitigation measures that can be feasibly taken to achieve sustainability of the urban areas and water resources available.ResultsLandsat 5 and Sentinel-2 satellite images were obtained shortly before and after flash flood events and were downloaded and analyzed to define the active channels, urban interference, storage areas, and the natural depressions response. The quantitative flash flood estimates include total GSMap meteorological data sets, parameters of rainfall depths from remote sensing data, active channel area from satellite images, and storage areas that flooded. In GIS, digital elevation model was used to estimate the hydrographic parameters: flow direction within the catchment, flow accumulation, time zone of the catchment, and estimating of the water volume in the largely inundated depressions.ConclusionsBased on the results obtained from the study of available satellite images, it has been shown that there are two significant hydrological problems, including the lack of flash flood mitigation measures for urban areas, as the wastewater depressions and sanitary facilities are dotting in the downstream areas.

The aim of this study was the assessment, at basin scale, of the susceptibility to water-induced soil erosion processes (i.e. gully erosion and sheet/rill erosion) using geomorphological analysis, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and bivariate statistics. The study was carried out in a watershed located in Southern Italy. A detailed analysis of the pre-existing literature led to select lithology, land-use, slope angle and slope aspect as soil-erosion determining factors (DFs), as they are “non-redundant” and affect both the soil-forming processes that control soil erodibility and the erosive power of running waters. Water-produced erosional landforms, such as gullies and areas severely affected by sheet/rill erosion, were surveyed and mapped using classical techniques of geomorphological analysis. The GIS processing of the geomorphological data allowed calculating the areal density of these landforms in each DF class. Weighting values (Wi), corresponding to the susceptibility level of each DF class, were calculated using bivariate statistics. Finally, GIS overlay procedures of the thematic maps, previously reclassified on the basis of the calculated Wi, allowed to produce two Susceptibility Maps (i.e. Gully Erosion and Sheet and/or Rill Erosion Susceptibility Map). The soil-geomorphological coherence of the produced results has been checked and widely discussed in the framework of the pre-existing literature. Both the geomorphological coherence of the calculated Wi and the results of the validation procedure suggested a good reliability of the method, which is also relatively easy to apply and update.

Tsunamis, storms, surges, coastal flooding & rise in sea level results in risk of human life in coastal cities. Such kind of risks associated with coastal cities can be reduced with help of sustainable development & planning. Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) & Geographical Information System (GIS) provides huge platform for planning & sustainable development of the coastal city. Analysis of Coastal geomorphology, coastal processes & coastal hazards through SRS & GIS are major part of Sustainable development of coastal city. In this paper, we have proposed system architecture for Sustainable development of Coastal city. Satellite Remote Sensing is coast effective and time effective technique for present & historical analysis of Coastal city for coastal processes, coastal landform. Geographical Information System provides facility to perform spatial analysis & provides results in statistical & visual form.

Geographic information system (GIS) is a computer-assisted system for capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial data and nonspatial attribute data. The data can be derived from different sources such as survey data, geographical/topographical/aerial maps, satellite data, or archived data. Data can be in the form of locational data (such as latitudes/longitudes) or tabular (attribute) data. The introduction of modern technologies has led to an increased use of computers and information technology in all aspects of spatial data handling. The handling of spatial data involves data acquisition, storage and maintenance, processing, analysis, and output. GIS is a computerized database management system for capturing, storing, validating, maintaining, analyzing, displaying, and managing spatially referenced data with a primary function to integrate data from a variety of sources. GIS constitutes hardware, software, data, people, and methods. Advanced GIS can address questions related to location, condition, trends, patterns, and modeling. Manual digitization of existing paper maps, existing digital data, aerial photographs, remote-sensing satellite imagery, and global positioning system (GPS) are promising sources for data input in GIS. Before generation of any spatial data, one has to understand the available data types, data analysis procedures, and their capabilities in GIS to get realistic outputs. GIS is being widely used as spatial analysis tool for effective and efficient means of data generation, management, analysis, and display. Recent advances in computer technology, remote sensing, GPS, and communication technology augmented the development of enhanced functions of GIS in the field of data generation, management, analysis, and display. Data derived from remote sensing, GPS, and field surveys could be effectively used in GIS in mapping, monitoring, and management of land resources and dissemination of information at appropriate destinations in various location-based applications.

An organization's future developments are influenced by its managements' decisions. This can only happen by strengthening research and development strategies. Market monitoring and analyzing systems are designed to provide an organized flow of information to enable and support the marketing activities of an organization. In recent years the development of Market Information Analysis Systems (MIASs) to monitor and control the market has been significantly increased. However, the concept of such systems is not new and has been around for many years. Early systems were paper-based but, with the advancement of computing and information technology these systems have become more electronic and (semi) automated in nature. This paper presents a MIAS for Samsung Company in Iran which uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Polygon, and Spatial Databases as a component to improve the efficiency of market information analysis and monitoring systems. It also reviews the technical capabilities of GIS, Polygon, and Spatial Databases and shows how these capabilities align with accepted elements of MIAS.

Precision Viticulture (PV) is a concept that is beginning to have an impact on the wine-growing sector. Its practical implementation is dependant on various technological developments: crop sensors and yield monitors, local and remote sensors, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), VRA (Variable-Rate Application) equipment and machinery, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and systems for data analysis and interpretation. This paper reviews a number of research lines related to PV. These areas of research have focused on four very specific fields: 1) quantification and evaluation of within-field variability, 2) delineation of zones of differential treatment at parcel level, based on the analysis and interpretation of this variability, 3) development of Variable-Rate Technologies (VRT) and, finally, 4) evaluation of the opportunities for site-specific vineyard management. Research in these fields should allow winegrowers and enologists to know and understand why yield variability exists within the same parcel, what the causes of this variability are, how the yield and its quality are interrelated and, if spatial variability exists, whether site-specific vineyard management is justifiable on a technical and economic basis.