Cartographic Products Research Articles

Soil Erosion and Landslide Susceptibility Mapping in Western Attica, Greece: A Rock Engineering System Approach

Two of the eight main soil degradation processes with which soils worldwide are confronted are soil erosion and landslides. Specifically, landslides are a major threat in particular areas across Europe, often leading to serious impacts on population, property, and infrastructure. Regarding the abovementioned processes, the case study of the fatal Mandra flash flood (November 2017) in the Attica Region (Greece), which caused 24 deaths, and much infrastructure and building damage, is presented with the intention of assessing the relationship between soil erosion and landslide incidents. Investigations were executed from 2018 to 2022, and their outcomes were taken into consideration by the Technical Authority of the Attica Region. Soil erosion lines were delineated in a GIS and were validated using a previously generated regional Web-GIS landslide susceptibility map. The study presents soil erosion types from the Mandra fatal flash flood event and correlates them with already existing landslide susceptibility analyses for the Attica Region. The produced susceptibility map is a cartographic product on a regional scale (1:100,000) generated via a semiquantitative heuristic methodology named the Rock Engineering System (RES). The way in which both soil erodibility and landslide susceptibility maps were generated and validated could be the basis for proposing modeling approaches that can respond to new developments in European landslide policies.

Bathymetric data visualization – A review of current methods, practices and emerging interface opportunities

Advances in 3D surveying and data processing, are encouraging the hydrographic community to consider the limitations of existing visualization methods, and the opportunities of emerging interface technologies to view bathymetric data. This paper aims to identify and document trends in the technologies and interfaces used for hydrographic visualization. First, it aims to summarize the platforms and methods currently used to visualize bathymetric data in the context of nautical cartographic production. Second, based on reported outcomes in the selected literatures, themes in the potential utility and implications of emerging tools and interfaces to improve bathymetric data visualization, are discussed.

Многоцелевой картографический ресурс как интерактивная картографическая система

The author considers the issues of changing the requirements for map making and cartographic image in connection with digital transformation of the society and mass introduction of information technologies. As a result of the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s achievements widespread implementation, new requirements for cartography in terms of creating and using models and maps have arisen. In this regard, a new digital product is proposed, a multi-purpose resource (MD). The author presents a scheme, where it is shown as a specialized interactive system containing data, information and knowledge in order to form a cartographic image at the user`s request. The process of interaction with the MD is considered, in which the audience work with it and, at the query, a cartographic product containing geospatial information and knowledge is formed for a specific task to be solved. The use of artificial intelligence technologies for automating cartographic processes is also discussed, the concept of a “smart” map is proposed

Geographic information systems as an innovative method for increasing the productivity of agricultural land

The goal is to identify and specify the stages of formation and development of geographic information systems (GIS) in agriculture, used to improve the efficiency of agricultural land. Methods – system analysis, monographic, statistical, economic, classification, grouping, logical generalization. Results – the author shows the problems of disseminating technologies that are geographically linked in the agricultural sector abroad and in Kazakhstan. The stages of cartography, remote sensing of the earth, organizational work to collect information on the biodiversity of the territory of foreign countries, starting from laboratories, then computer programming until the end of the cycle are outlined. Natural and climatic factors that influence the composition and change in the size of the land fund of the republic, in particular agricultural lands, are considered. Negative land management processes, the presence of a large amount of disturbed land resulting from industrial production, and the existence of anthropogenic pollution that worsen soil fertility are highlighted. Conclusions – the need for wide dissemination of GIS for the rational use of land resources arose during the monitoring and assessment of soil characteristics, the need to determine the forecast level of yield, water management, spatial planning and production decision-making. The argument for the use of GIS technologies is the modern land policy of the state, aimed at creating a rational balance between the sustainable development of the agroindustrial complex and the preservation of natural potential in order to improve living conditions in rural areas. Geographic information systems contribute to increasing the profitability of agricultural enterprises and optimizing its costs. Digital cartographic products are increasingly found in the practice of intensively developing farms.

Методика оценки картографического производства России

The article deals with creating a methodology for assessing cartographic production; the study showed that political, economic, scientific and technical factors make the main influence over its development. The relevance of the research is due to modern requirements for an objective display of production development, the progress and regression of which is evidenced by the change in quantitative indicators over time. The methodology is based on the analysis of the identified quantitative indicators, such as releasing cartographic products (for the entire history of development) and their abrupt changes, defined by the author as its indicators, which enable determining the degree of the factors influence. A weighted point assessment of the impact of the political, economic, scientific and technical determinant on cartographic production in the period under review was obtained; that made it possible to construct and visualize an integrated graphic model in the period from 1705 to the present. To compare the results, an expert approach to evaluation of production is proposed; it is expressed by experts in the rational arrangement of the problem analysis with the quantitative assessment of judgments and processing of their results. An assessment of cartographic production in Russia is carried out based on the developed methodology at all stages of historical development

Ferdinand von Hochstetter’s November 1860 Folio of New Zealand survey data and the location of the Pink and White Terraces

This research utilises Ferdinand von Hochstetter’s unpublished November 1860 Folio of survey data from the first major terrestrial topographical and geological survey in New Zealand. The Folio data enable reconstruction of the survey across the North Island to Lake Rotomahana, with unique bearings to the lost Pink and White Terraces. Prepared for cartographic production in Gotha, Germany, the Folio features marginalia by cartographer August Petermann and Arnim Welcker. It validates Hochstetter’s 1859 field diaries and Rotomahana Basin topography navigating to the Terraces. The Folio survey coordinates indicate the Pink and White Terrace springs lie buried beneath the shores of Lake Rotomahana. The Folio locations are consistent with earlier survey Diary iterations. They triangulate with the Basin topography and align with Mātauranga Māori. Complementary with recently published research, the Folio data provides historical primary source evidence for the search for the lost Terraces at Lake Rotomahana.

Art and Politics across the Atlantic: The Atlas maritimo del Reyno de el Perù, Chile, Costa Patagónica Oriental, y Occidental (1797)

ABSTRACT Comprised of eight charts and eight views that map the coastline of the Americas from Ecuador to Brazil, the Atlas maritimo del Reyno de el Perù, Chile, Costa Patagónica Oriental, y Occidental is an exquisite example of eighteenth-century Spanish American manuscript cartography whose production and content contribute to understanding imperial expansion and artistic exchange in the Atlantic World. Commissioned by a pilot of the Indies fleet and produced in Montevideo, this presentation atlas highlights a confluence of local and imperial interests in the cartographic production of the River Plate region. Sources include the works of prominent European explorers, and analysis of the atlas’ elaborate trompe l’oeil cartouches suggests potential artistic links with Andalusia and France. The atlas also reflects changing imperial attitudes towards Patagonia as a geostrategic location, and advances Spanish claims to the region.

Modelling and mapping of soil erosion risk based on GIS and PAP/RAC guidelines in the watershed of Tassaoute (Central High-Atlas, Morocco)

Morocco watersheds, which provided many ecosystem services necessary for the socio-economic life of rural communities, are experiencing significant change and environmental problems. Therefore, examining potential soil erosion considered a major problem in the Moroccan highlands is very important to prioritize high erosion severity areas. Keeping in view of the above aspects, the present study aimed to evaluate and map areas at risk of water erosion in the upstream Tassaoute watershed (central High Atlas, Morocco), using the Priority Action Program/Regional Activity Center (PAP/RAC) method associated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. The PAP/RAC approach consisted of integrating the natural factors that influence water erosion, namely slope, lithology, vegetation cover and land use. This method provided an accurate cartographic product that reflects the reality of the state of soil degradation and the qualitative assessment of erosion. The generated erosion risk map of the study area showed that the phenomenon of erosion threatens this basin, especially in the middle and downstream, such that 40% of the basin surface has significant erosion and the high and very high degree of erosion represented 27% of the total surface of the study area. These results therefore demonstrated the PAP/CAR model reliability in assessing and mapping of water erosion risks in the upstream Tassaoute basin.

Problem-solving procedures in spatially explicit tasks: comparing procedures with printed and digital cartographic documents

Abstract The aim of this research study is to compare the procedures for solving geographical problems with printed and digital cartographic products. These documents are used in various areas of society, including regional development or visual communication in the media. A total of 27 probands participated in the research. Individuals were randomly divided into two groups, one group working with a printed atlas and the other with a digital atlas in the same version. Respondents were tested using stationary and wearable eye-trackers while completing a didactic test to determine different levels of map skills. The results of the research showed that although the procedures and the success rate for solving the different tasks did not differ between the two groups of respondents, the differences were mainly in the time needed for the solution and in the satisfaction in the use of a given type of cartographic work.

The Portuguese Land Cover Monitoring System (SMOS): from research and development (R&D) to operations

The Portuguese Land Cover Monitoring System SMOS (Sistema de Monitorização da Ocupação do Solo) is an initiative conceived and developed by Direção-Geral do Território (DGT) with the aim of continuously produce reference and thematic cartographic products on land use land cover for continental Portugal. SMOS is a collaborative and multifunctional system that involves the Public Administration, the national scientific and technological system, the private sector and the citizen, guided by user needs and open data policy. SMOS represents a paradigm shift in cartography production and uses the latest developments in space technologies and Artificial Intelligence to create maps with more detail, quality and promptness. Here, SMOS is presented, including the initial steps leading to the implementation of the system, its organization and governance, cartographic products and viewers, and foreseen developments.

MULTI-TEMPORAL AND MULTI-SENSOR GLACIER MONITORING

Abstract. Glaciers are subject to drastic mass loss in the last decades and their importance as an environmental and hydrological resource requires regular monitoring. Geomatics techniques are the ideal tool to survey these complex and remote areas, with different remote sensing platforms and sensors to choose from depending on the scale and accuracy to be monitored.In this case study, the Broulè glacier (Valpelline, Aosta Valley, Italy) was monitored for several years using a DJI Phantom 4 RTK UAV, an airborne PhaseOne camera, and a very high-resolution images Pléiades satellite stereo pair to estimate the glacier's melting and to investigate the possibility of carrying out monitoring campaigns limiting in-situ surveys. A comparison of the 3D models and cartographic products obtained from the different sensors made it possible to estimate the accuracies achievable and check them on rocky areas around the glacier considered to be invariant over time. Although the orography of the area and the poor accessibility did not allow a balanced distribution of Ground Control Points (GCPs) and Check Points (CPs), the RMSE in the photogrammetric models was a few centimetres. An altimetric comparison between the photogrammetric DSMs allowed us to estimate the error at -1.6 m, which is strongly influenced by the altimetry of the terrain.Therefore, although it is impossible to rely solely on satellite imagery for a centimetric survey, it seems possible to continue the multi-temporal monitoring over the years using remote sensing (aerial and satellite) with a previous good cartographic base supported by good field campaigns.

Electronic Atlas of Climatic Changes in the Western Russian Arctic in 1950–2021 as Geoinformatic Support of Railway Development

The Arctic zone of the Russian Federation is one of the most intensively developing regions of the country. Amongst the major domains of economic and industrial growth and improvement is transport infrastructure and particularly the railway network. This area is being exposed to negative factors of rapid climate change that can significantly affect and compromise this activity. Thus, it is vital to take them into account during design, construction, and operation of the railway infrastructure facilities. This work details the production of a digital atlas comprising the 1950–2021 dynamics of the main hydrometeorological parameters: air and soil temperature, precipitation, wind speed, air and soil humidity, and snow cover thickness. The maps are based on climatic data derived from the MERRA-2 (Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2) reanalysis. In total there are 459, which are arranged into 7 chapters. The atlas geographically covers the western part of the Russian Arctic encompassing the regions of quite intensive transport development, which includes the construction of the Northern Latitudinal Railway. Original algorithms of geospatial data processing and their further representation as well as the maps compiled in GIS environment are discussed. Comprehensive analysis of climatic changes in the region of the Russian Arctic including detailed quantitative evaluation over 40 years is given. In the Discussion, we focus on those changes of the regional climate which, from our point of view, are the most significant for consideration by railway operators. The obtained results contribute to framing the theoretical basis of design, development, and sustainable operation of the railway infrastructure in the Arctic and facilitate the decision-making process. This is the first experience of building a specialized climatic cartographic product for the needs of the Russian railways, and to our knowledge the first atlas such as that in the world. In the future, the amassed experience may be transferred to other regions of the Russian Federation as well as similar regions in Canada, Sweden and Highland China that are also subject to significant climate change.

Green Infrastructure and Healthy Cities: proposal for a Linear Park for the city of Itapuranga, Goiás (Brazil)

The instrument called Parque Linear must be, a priori, understood as an important sustainable measure for the use and occupation of urban green areas, in the environmental, social, economic and cultural spheres. These areas, within the Brazilian jurisdiction, are considered by the environmental legislation as Areas of Permanent Preservation (APP), that is, there are a series of prohibitions of constructions and so on. But they are characterized as residual spaces of the remaining natural landscape (when existing) and are, for the most part, invaded and degraded by the urbanization model adopted until today. Due to these problems, many cities in the world and in Brazil have sought to insert this type of park as a measure to mitigate the degraded state in which water courses in urban areas are found, with the aim of improving the quality of life of the population. Thus, this work aims to discuss and demonstrate the relevance of this theme, based on the proposition of Parque Linear in the urban area of Itapuranga, Goiás (Brazil), in the light of the movement for the construction of Healthy Cities, which aims to improve the quality of urban life. As a methodology, bibliographical research, cartographic production, field visit and dialogue with city residents were carried out. The results showed the possibility of installing a linear park adjacent to the GO-230 highway, which cuts through the urban area of the city (urbanized highway), taking advantage of the green areas already present in the stretch, which surround the Tamborim river. In addition, they provided demonstration of the importance of installing this type of instrument to promote the quality of urban life.

Deception Island 1967–1970 Volcano Eruptions from Historical Aerial Frames and Satellite Imagery (Antarctic Peninsula)

Aerial frames and satellite imagery are widely recognized data sources from which to produce maps. For volcanoes, maps enable the quantification of erupted ash and the destruction caused. The last eruptive sequence on Deception Island was endured from 1967 to 1970. Analogue maps were produced via classical photogrammetric methods with a high degree of human intervention mainly to analyse the volcanic-centres areas only. However, historical aerial frames cover the whole of Deception Island. Structure from motion photogrammetry, a near-automated compilation of digital image processing strategies, minimizes the degree of human intervention to produce orthographic mosaics and digital elevation models from digital aerial frames. Orthographic mosaics were produced from historical aerial frames of 1956 and 1968, and a Kompsat-3 image of 2020. Their shared root-mean-square deviation was 1.8 m and 1.7 m in easting and northing, respectively, at ground control points measured with phase-differential global navigation satellite systems. The digital elevation models were processed with a root-mean-square deviation of 2.3 m and 3.6 m from 1956 and 1968 aerial frames, respectively. As the first application, erupted ashfall and the subsequent destruction, mainly at the former Chilean and British bases, were identified, and the volume of erupted ash was assessed to be over 0.16 km3 within the area mapped by these new digital cartographic products.

Геоінформаційні системи для створення геодезичної основи і побудови генеральних планів населених пунктів

The use of geoinformation systems in conducting geodetic activity is a modern method of geodetic production. The development of a master plan for the territory of a settlement begins with the implementation of geodetic measurement works and the construction of a geodetic cartographic base. Geodetic measuring works are now carried out with modern geodetic devices that provide high accuracy of results, which meets the modern requirements of conducting geodetic activities in our country. With the help of modern software, they process the results of geodetic measurements and further build cartographic material. The application of Remote Sensing of the Earth data makes it possible to spatially link to terrain contours and determine the scope of geodetic measurement works for the further development of general plans of settlements. Modern requirements for the development of urban planning and land management documentation require the use of the latest devices and technologies. The use of high-precision electronic tacheometers and satellite radio navigation systems makes it possible to perform geodetic measurement work quickly and qualitatively in compliance with modern requirements for them. The use of GIS technologies, remote sensing of the Earth and modern programming makes it possible to create cartographic products in digital and paper form. The main purpose of using GIS technologies and DZZ data is to quickly identify the territory of the geodetic survey, find the points of the State Geodetic Network according to the data of the geoportal of Ukraine as a GIS technology system for linking to the starting points and obtaining initial information about them. The use of information layers of the Public Cadastral Map can help to find the source information about the territories of geodetic measurements as quickly as po The use of geodetic software enables the processing of the results of geodetic measurements and the construction of maps, plans, schemes and other cartographic products in symbols of the appropriate scale quickly and accurately. The construction of such cartographic materials serves as a geodetic basis for the development of general plans for the settlement. Our study was the territory of the village of Ivano-Shychyne, Bogodukhiv district, Kharkiv region, which belongs to the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine. To develop a master plan for the village of Ivano-Shychyne with complex relief conditions and the development of degradation processes of the soil cover had to perform a geodetic cartographic basis in digital form. And only after that, develop a master plan, since the old cartographic materials have long since lost their weight. The whole situation has changed a long time ago, new building blocks have appeared, the street and road network has developed. To compare the situation, we used the data of the DZZ, where we found significant changes, which were reflected on the constructed cartographic materials, which simplifies the solution to the problem.

Certain arguments against the hypothesis that portolan charts were genuine late-medieval cartographic products

ABSTRACT A sample of 12 representations of the Adriatic Sea on portolan charts, created between the late thirteenth century and the late 16th, were subjected to a series of tests in order to examine their navigational applicability. However, the by-products of their results strongly suggest that it is impossible that portolan charts were, in terms of their geometry, genuine late-medieval cartographic products. It was demonstrated that, during the 300 years of their continuous production, their accuracy was not improved, and their anticlockwise tilt was not chronologically aligned with the dynamics of magnetic declination across the research area. Moreover, it was explicitly demonstrated that bearing measurements which could have been performed aboard ship (from sailor's perspective) cannot be used to create charts which display such levels of geometric accuracy, not only in the late medieval period, but in general.

Модель процесса создания картографической продукции для решения задачи синтеза системы картографического производства

The article deals with solving the tasks of designing a cartographic support system and arranging the process of its targeted application. The definition of its concept is given. Within the framework of the paper, electronic maps of the area are considered as products. The system functioning for the consumer is described. During the research, the results’ quality indicators vector of the production and publishing processes are substantiated. The functional-stochastic dependencies between the components of the results’ quality indicators vector are established and the operational functionality linking the performance indicator with the cost of resources and time is justified. A mathematical model of the purposeful production process of cartographic products is constructed, which enables predicting the degree of the goal achievement, a priori assessing its quality and synthesizing a system of cartographic production by means of a directional enumeration of the model parameters values. The simulation results let us formulate proposals on the structure of the cartographic support system based on the requirements imposed by the results. An illustrative numerical example demonstrating the operability of the offered method is given.

Геосервисное решение проблемы актуализации пространственных данных по результатам государственного топографического мониторинга

The authors reveal the informational and functional contents of the geoservice, using the example of the proposed mechanism for updating spatial data using state topographic monitoring materials. The algorithm of a geoservice functioning based on the data obtained in the process of survey, detailed topographic monitoring and its further use as geoinformation services for solving the tasks of socio-economic, environmental, defense and national security of the Russian Federation is shown. The analysis of domestic experience in this field (the national spatial data system, the geoportal of the Federal Spatial Data Fund, the Public Cadastral Map, the Roscosmos Group of Companies, the “People’s Map”, i.e. Open Street Map on the Yandex Maps geoportal, etc.) enables determining the composition of geoinformation resources requiring periodic and operational updating. Creating and actualization of digital (electronic) topographic maps and other types of digital cartographic products in real time, using continuous topographic monitoring data, and presenting them to users through the geoservice “State topographic monitoring” is a promising scientific and practical direction for development of geoinformation mapping and infrastructure designed to spread relevant spatial data.

Geocognitive mapping technology

The author of the article considers the need to develop a new direction in cartography due to the fact that human civilization has reached the threshold of a fundamentally new era of the existence of the economy and society — the era of knowledge. Adoption of effective management and project decisions in such areas as spatial (territorial) development of the Russian Federation, ensuring the defense and security of the country, cadastral registration of real estate objects, preservation of objects of historical and cultural heritage, environmental protection, use of natural resources, development of the domestic tourism industry, the design and construction of buildings and structures, science, education, etc., is impossible without the creation of modern cartographic software. The article discusses the process of creating and using cartographic products containing geospatial knowledge. The approach of thematic mapping considered by the author on the basis of geospatial knowledge of certain subject areas is presented by a set-theoretic description. The process of geocognitive mapping is represented by a technological scheme. A feature of the geocognitive mapping process is the use in the combination of professional knowledge in the fields of thematic cartography and each of the subject areas to be represented in thematic geospatial models and maps. On the basis of the above studies, the following methodological principle of mapping based on geoscience can be formulated: geospatial knowledge displayed on the map about a particular subject area is a set of information about the objects of this subject area, their properties and the relationships connecting them, the processes taking place in this subject area, as well as methods of analysis emerging situations and ways of solving certain problems this subject area by developing spatial solutions.

The Think-Aloud Method for Evaluating the Usability of a Regional Atlas

The think-aloud method is a widely used method for evaluating the usability of websites and software. However, it can also be used with cartographic products, an area which has been neglected up to now. It is a method in which test participants verbalise all their thought processes aloud. The participants are given a test scenario containing tasks to be completed. The method aims to reveal the participants’ subjective attitudes toward a product in order to evaluate its usability. The present paper describes the use of the think-aloud method to evaluate the usability of a cartographic work—the regional atlas of the Moravian-Silesian Region. The study includes (I) a complete review of the method, based on the studies conducted; (II) testing tools for working with recorded data; (III) designing an experiment for evaluating the usability of the atlas; and (IV) the resulting qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the atlas based on the obtained results. During the study, three approaches were proposed to process and analyse the audio recordings. The first option was to separate the audio recordings into individual annotations and analyse them. The second option was to convert the recordings to text and perform a linguistic analysis. The third supplementary option was to use all the material produced and to analyse it subjectively and retrospectively, from the researcher’s perspective. All three options were used in the final assessment of the atlas. Based on the participants’ statements, any shortcomings in the studied atlas were identified for each topic (e.g., non-dominant maps or exceedingly complex infographics), and recommendations for their elimination were proposed.