Digital Geographic Information System Research Articles

Application of mobile digital recording and GIS analysis of archaeological surface survey finds in the MapFarm project

Recent technological developments in the field of mobile devices have influenced the way archaeological surveys are conducted. The collection, management and analysis of archaeological data have been enriched through the use of new digital applications and devices. This paper presents a case study of the application of a technique for digital recording of archaeological surface finds in the MapFarm project, along with the subsequent analysis. This technique relies on the capabilities of modern mobile devices and web technologies, combined with the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It enables the direct digital recording of the exact location of artefacts in the field, using the GNSS receiver of smartphones, allowing the rapid extraction of collected data and their analysis with GIS. The technique was applied during the systematic archaeological survey of selected prehistoric settlements in Aegean Thrace, in the context of the research project MapFarm, which aims to expand our knowledge about the Neolithic settlers of Aegean Thrace. The implementation of this technique has significantly reduced the time required for recording in the field, ensuring at the same time a more efficient and precise analysis of data. In addition, more firm conclusions emerged regarding the distribution of the archaeological finds in the context of the intra-site level and the site’s extent, by comparison to older surface survey techniques. Analyses performed through the GIS digital tools provided an improved approach to the distribution of surface finds at the settlements under investigation.

Quality Management in GIS

This paper centers on the crucial elements of quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) in the domain of geographic information systems (GIS). A dependable and resilient GIS database is at the core of any spatial system, and it is of utmost significance across a wide range of fields, including Hajj, Umrah, tourism, real estate, and natural resource management. Given the inherent intricacy of spatial databases and their requirement for specialized technical upkeep, applications that depend on them also necessitate specialized technical expertise. To address inconsistencies within the database, best practices for database maintenance are implemented. This paper presents a systematic approach to the updating of comprehensive spatial databases and provides an overview of the quality procedures that are essential to this process. It also discusses the various safeguard mechanisms that are employed to enhance data consistency, completeness, integrity, and other qualitative aspects. The primary objective is to establish a customer-focused quality standard for spatial databases. Considering the broad definition of quality as "the extent to which project deliverables meet requirements," GIS projects face the challenge of precisely defining specifications and relevant quality standards that are tailored to specific project types and deliverables. The increasing demand for digital maps and GIS applications in Egypt emphasizes the urgent need for quality control and quality assurance procedures. This paper describes the implementation of these procedures in the creation of ten geological maps of Egypt at a scale of 1:500,000. This collaborative effort involves Cairo University and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in Egypt. Additionally, this project provides an internship opportunity for students in the College of Engineering, Civil Department, enabling them to gain practical experience in the field.

Method for determining the optimal location of public catering facilities

Relevance and goals. The relevance of the research topic is due to the need for a comprehensive study of the problems of choosing a spatial location in the context of the rapid spread of digital technologies. The purpose of the study is an attempt to substantiate the feasibility of implementing a technical solution, namely the development of a digital geographic information system aimed at determining the optimal location for public catering facilities. Materials and methods. An approach is proposed for optimizing the layout of facilities as a set of three interrelated sequential elements (stages), consisting of determining the best operational-territorial unit, determining the expected rational boundaries of the consumer service market, determining the coordinates of the location of the catering facility and finding the optimal structure for the sale of products that provides the facility catering maximum profit. The advantage of the considered technical solution is to increase the accuracy of the optimal placement of public catering facilities, which ensures an increase in the speed of actions to determine the location point, including ensuring the speed of response of public catering facilities to continuous changes in dynamic competitive markets in real time; the emergence of the ability to most reliably draw conclusions about the optimal placement of a public catering facility at any time. The research methodology is based on the use of general scientific methods: description, measurement, analysis, synthesis, comparison, modeling, as well as the use of statistical methods and linear programming. Results. Creation in the future of a program that implements the proposed model and algorithms. Conclusions. The results of the study showed the possibility of applying the proposed approach with the ability to determine the expected optimal location of the catering facility with great accuracy. The scope of the research results is associated with the subsequent creation of information technology to manage the optimization of the location of public catering facilities.

Revisiting the ‘Epistemization’ of Overlaying: The computerized mapping of disease project (MOD), 1965–1968

The article discusses the practice of overlaying maps for the study of disease-environment correlations in medical geography, and how it has been expressed as an epistemic practice in the early days of digital geographic information systems (GIS). It focuses on the research project “Computerized Mapping of Disease (MOD)” (1965–1968), where the epistemological promise of overlaying was made explicit and in relation to new technological affordances. I argue that the MOD project points to a dual shift in the meaning of overlaying for correlation inference during its attempted “computerization”: the transformation of overlaying from an implicit practice toward an explicit epistemic resource and toward a conceptual schema for reflecting about the nature of correlations, which effectively promoted the technology of overlaying as a new apparatus of implication. Overall, the article proposes an epistemiologically reflexive take on the history of geomedia practices.

Digital twin enabled sustainable urban road planning

Sustainable urban road planning should endeavor to meet current and future traffic-related demands and achieve financial, environmental, and social benefits, which is a complex and interdisciplinary issue that needs to consider various factors and data. Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) can provide reasonable solutions, and some existing studies integrated MCDM with geographic information system (GIS) technology. This paper presents an urban road planning approach based on digital twin (DT), MCDM, and GIS called DT-MCDM-GIS framework. DT can digitalize the physical world to provide various data for the whole process; MCDM can provide criteria and evaluation methods; GIS can provide an integrated environment for analysis. Building demolition and land use, traffic congestion, driving route selection habits, air quality, and noise are all considered in the framework for urban road planning. The proposed approach can provide a functional, economic, people-friendly, eco-friendly urban road planning scheme considering new road construction and existing old road widening to alleviate traffic congestion and provide an alternative route for drivers that conforms to their habits.

Exploration radioactive mineralization using mappable data integration approach: example from Wadi Dahab area, Southeastern Sinai, Egypt

Mineral resources exploration and mapping are main reasons for developed countries around the world, especially those experiencing comprehensive sustainable development based on industrial activities such as power generation and urban development. Recent techniques of the geospatial tools such as remote sensing (RS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are used to delineate lithological, structural lineaments, hydrothermal alteration, radiometric, and geochemical element distributions of the mineralized zones. The purpose of this study is to delineate and incorporate the different evidence relating to the possible radioactive mineralization sites, in the Wadi Dahab (WD), Southeastern Sinai, Egypt, to formulate a predictive model to explore radioactive mineralization, in which the weights of integrated evidence modelled for radioactive mineralization are used to define the probable sites of mineralization based on the statistical analyses. Digital image processing and GIS tools are usually applied more for mineral exploration to detect associated altered mineral assemblages and data modeling. Also, Landsat 8 and ASTER space-borne and other ancillary geological mappable data are processed and integrated to map alteration zones and structural lineaments and predict zones of mineralization potential as well as recognize different types of rock units. In the present study, the weighted index overlay of each essential mineral exploration evidence including alteration minerals, geochemical ore elements, radiometric measurements, and lithological and structural data, is integrated into the GIS environment suitable approach. Finally, the obtained constructed model indicates that it is an effective tool for mapping mineral alteration zones, controlled structural lineaments, and the main radioactive-rich potential rock units particularly in the granitic rocks of the WD area, which should be verified by fieldwork and laboratory examination. These validated models of newly mapped mineralized zones in the WD area would assist decision-makers in developing and benefiting from it in any possible planning for sustainable development.

Analisis Komparasi Metode Pemetaan Ekosistem Mangrove Menggunakan Penginderaan Jauh dan Sistem Informasi Geografis

The use of tools and methods in mapping mangrove ecosystem continues to change.Nowday's trend in mapping is to use remote sensing and digital geographic Information system technology. There are several commonly used methods for mapping the mangrove ecosystem, but we should be aware that choosing the right method of analysis will greatly support the quality of research. The research method is literature review from various books and accredited scientific journals. Subsequently conducted analysis of application methods of mapping mangrove ecosystem of various case studies and research needs. Based on research, there are five methods and analysis used i.e.manual interpretation with Mirror stereoscope, NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) as the most common analysis for mangrove distribution mapping. Multivariat PCA (Principal Component Analysis), FCD (Forest Canopy Density) model, and copmpare methods to mapping the extensive changes of mangrove ecosystems. Therefore, this article can be an input for the prospective mangrove ecosystem researchers in determining the preciese method of analysis. Â

Methodology for Quantifying the Energy Saving Potentials Combining Building Retrofitting, Solar Thermal Energy and Geothermal Resources

New technological, societal and legislative developments are necessary to support transitions to low-carbon energy systems. The building sector is responsible for almost 36% of the global final energy and 40% of CO2 emissions, so this sector has high potential to contribute to the expansion of positive energy districts. With this aim, a new digital Geographic Information System (GIS) platform has been developed to quantify the energy savings obtained through the implementation of refurbishment measures in residential buildings, including solar thermal collectors and geothermal technologies and assuming the postal district as the representative unit for the territory. Solar resources have been estimated from recently updated solar irradiation maps, whereas geothermal resources have been estimated from geological maps. Urbanistic data have been estimated from official cadastre databases. For representative buildings, the annual energy demand and savings are obtained and compared with reference buildings, both for heating and cooling. The GIS platform provides information on average results for each postal district, as well as estimates for buildings with particular parameters. The methodology has been applied to the Asturian region, an area of about 10,600 km2 on the Cantabrian coast of Spain, with complex orography and scattered population, qualified as a region in energy transition. High rehabilitation potentials have been achieved for buildings constructed before the implementation of the Spanish Technical Building Code of 2006, being higher for isolated houses than for collective buildings. Some examples of results are introduced in specific localities of different climatic zones.

Assessment of land-use change in coastal areas through geographical information systems

Objective: This article describes and analyzes the main concepts of coastal ecosystems, these as a result of research concerning land-use change assessments in coastal areas.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: Scientific articles were searched using keywords in English and Spanish. Articles regarding land-use change assessment in coastal areas were selected, discarding those that although being on coastal zones and geographic and soil identification did not use Geographic Information System (GIS).
 Results: A GIS is a computer-based tool for evaluating the land-use change in coastal areas by quantifying variations. It is analyzed through GIS and its contributions; highlighting its importance and constant monitoring.
 Limitations of the study/Implications: This research analyzes national and international scientific information, published from 2007 to 2019, regarding the land-use change in coastal areas quantified with the digital GIS tool.
 Findings/Conclusions: GIS are useful tools in the identification and quantitative evaluation of changes in land-use in coastal ecosystems; which require constant evaluation due to their high dynamism.

Geospatial Physicalization in Geography Education

A novel method to create a physicalization of Digital Earth resulted a new type of analogue and tactile geographic information system (GIS). The model was tested by students in Australia, who shared insights into how the model supported their learning about the concept of “overlay” while providing an interesting and engaging learning platform. Observations suggest the model promoted collaborative learning, and provided a bridge between paper maps and digital GIS. This study offers insight into preferences of school children for physicalization models in geography education and contributes to an understanding of children's spatial thinking and understanding of the overlay concept.

A Portfolio Model for the Teaching and Learning of GIS Competencies in an Upper Secondary School: A Case Study from a Finnish Geomedia Course

The fast rate of technological development in today’s modern, digitalized society provides new opportunities and challenges for the future of geography education. The availability of geographic applications and geographical information systems (GIS) also create many interesting possibilities for the analysis, interpretation and production of geographic information (GI). The objective of this paper is to explore and discuss how a digital GIS portfolio can be used as an educational method for teaching and learning about the use of GIS. In this study, a design-based research (DBR) approach is used to develop a portfolio model for use in a Geomedia course in an upper secondary school setting. The design process occurred during January 2019 with pre-service teachers (n=8) and Geography teachers (n=2) at a university in Finland. There were six development cycles including problem analysis, design process and design solutions. The idea of a DBR approach is not only to create instructional materials to support students´ in their learning and development of GIS skills, but also to be an educative process for pre-service teachers who have minimal experience in teaching GIS skills. The digital GIS portfolio model follows Bloom´s taxonomy and includes progressively more demanding, inquiry-based activities for students. The digital GIS portfolio as a pedagogical practice was tested during Spring semester in 2019 with students (n=17) who were completing a Geomedia course at a local upper secondary school. It turned out that the use of a digital GIS portfolio is a very promising method for GIS education. Use of the portfolio improved student competence at using GIS; it developed student motivation to learn about GIS; and increased students' perceptions about the importance of GIS. However, a teacher-centred approach for teaching about GIS skills was also considered to be very important. The results of this study provide practical knowledge for Geography teachers and useful advice for developing teacher training in Geography.

Seleção de indicadores de paisagem para as áreas ambientais em assentamento rural

Os Assentamentos Rurais (ARs) são a materialização do processo de reforma agrária no Brasil, sendo caracterizados pela sua multifuncionalidade. Com relação à função ambiental, os ARs devem respeitar os dispositivos legais da Política Nacional do Meio Ambiente (PNMA), com a conservação das áreas de preservação permanente (PP) e de reserva legal (RL); áreas ambientais do AR. Desta forma, é de extrema importância a seleção e a utilização de indicadores para auxiliar na avaliação e monitoramento destas áreas em ARs, associando-se a Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG). Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo é selecionar indicadores de paisagens para as áreas ambientais em ARs, exemplificado no AR Rosa Luxemburgo II, em São Cristovão, Sergipe. Após revisão bibliográfica, definiu-se oito indicadores de paisagem da categoria 'Uso da Terra', associando-se a utilização de ferramentas de processamento digital de imagens e plataforma SIG. Como principais resultados, têm-se que, no AR estudado, na fase de ordenamento espacial do AR, existe significativa omissão das áreas de PP; cerca de 61% e 48% das áreas ambientais e de RL, respectivamente, estão efetivamente ocupadas com vegetação nativa, necessitando a recomposição florestal das demais áreas ambientais, para a plena disponibilidade dos serviços ecossistêmicos; e, a existência da Assessoria Técnica, Social e Ambiental à Reforma Agrária (ATES) não representou ações ambientais de conservação e de proteção das áreas de PP e RL. Como conclusões, tem-se que os indicadores de paisagem, no modelo DPSIR, são importantes para a avaliação e o monitoramento das áreas ambientais em ARs, mostrando-se uma ferramenta efetiva para o planejamento e a gestão ambiental de ARs.

Global Heat Flow: New Estimates Using Digital Maps and GIS Techniques

The digital geophysical maps and GIS (Geographic Information System) techniques have been employed in obtaining a better understanding of global heat flow. The starting point has been a system of 1o x 1o equal longitude grid consisting of 64800 cells. Superposed on this grid system are a set of 190 polygons that approximates boundaries of tectonic provinces and another set of 137 polygons that outlines age provinces. The area extents of these “tectonic polygons” were determined, and heat flow values calculated based on the empirical relation between heat flow and age of last thermos-tectonic event. Maps derived using such polygon representations reveal a pattern quite similar to that obtained in higher-degree spherical harmonic representations of global heat flow. In addition, an updated assessment of observational data has been carried out and estimated values assigned for cells where observational data are currently unavailable. This practice has been found to provide reasonable bounds in interpolations, leading to better representations of heat flow on a global scale. The mean global heat flow values obtained by this procedure is found to fall in the interval of 58 to 63mW/m². This estimate is lower than that reported in some of the previous studies in which use has been made of theoretical values derived from half-space cooling models as substitutes for experimental data. According to the results of the present work, based on reappraisal of global heat flow database and with due emphasis on observational data, the global conductive heat loss falls in the range of 28 to 35TW. This is nearly 22 to 35% less than those reported in earlier studies.

Earthquake-Induced Landslides Hazard Zonation of Rudbar-Manjil Using CAMEL Model

Earthquake-induced landslides are of the phenomena that have caused huge losses to human in recent years. Although many studies on the identification and characterization of landslides are generally done, the review of landslides caused by earthquakes is very young especially in Iran. This paper describes zoning of landslides triggered by 1990 Rudbar–Manjil earthquake with moment magnitude (Mw) 7.3 using a comprehensive areal model of earthquake-induced landslides (CAMEL). At first, the necessary information including disturbance distance (distance from river and road), ground strength class, ground moisture, shaking intensity, slope angle, slope height, soil depth, terrain roughness, material type, and vegetation were collected using aerial photos, Landsat satellite images, geological and topographic maps, and site investigation of the studied region. These data were digitized and weighed using the digital geographic information system in a comparative manner, and then concentration and hazard of the seismic landslides were predicted using the CAMEL program. It can be concluded that CAMEL displays a better performance in predicting and zoning earthquake-induced soil landslides than earthquake-induced rock landslides.

Geospatial Techniques for Assessment of Bank Erosion and Accretion in the Marala Alexandria Reach of the River Chenab, Pakistan

Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are widely used for change detection in rivers caused by erosion and accretion. Digital image processing techniques and GIS analysis capabilities are used for detecting temporal variations of erosion and accretion characteristics between the years 1999 and 2011 in a 40 km long Marala Alexandria reach of River Chenab. Landsat satellite images for the years 1999, 2007 and 2011 were processed to analyze the river channel migration, changes in the river width and the rate of erosion and accretion. Analyses showed that the right bank was under erosion in both time spans, however high rate of deposition is exhibited in middle reaches. The maximum erosion was 1569843 m2 and 1486160 m2 along the right bank at a distance of 24-28 km downstream of the Marala barrage in the time span of 1999-2007 and 2007-2011, respectively. Along right bank mainly there is trend of accretion but erosion is much greater between 20 and 28 km reach. Maximum accretion was 5144584 m2 from 1999-2007 and 2950110 m2 from 2007-2011 on the right bank downstream of the Marala Barrage. The derived results of channel migration were validated by comparing with SRTM data to assess the accuracy of image classification. Integration of remote sensing data with GIS is efficient and economical technique to assess land losses and channel changes in large rivers.

A comparison of raster-based travel time surfaces against vector-based network calculations as applied in the study of rural food deserts

While the term food insecurity is gaining popularity in contemporary literature, there is debate as to how tenets of this phenomenon can be quantitatively measured. One of these tenets, proximity to food resources, which is used to measure food deserts, can be measured within a digital GIS (Geographic Information System). Metrics such as Euclidean and network distance represent planimetric distance measurements between locations and resources, but do not truly represent the empirical cost that serves as a barrier, most notably time and/or money, to those who must decide to travel to these resources. While the vector data model has been the standard by which these calculations are done within a GIS, raster-based travel time surfaces can serve as a faster, replicable and scalable alternative. However, little research has been done to test the efficacy of these surfaces and their alignment with vector-based network calculations. In this research, we developed two travel-time surfaces for a rural region in southeastern North Carolina. One represented travel times to grocery stores and while the other represented travel time to convenience stores. We found that the travel times derived from this surface were statistically consistent with vector-based counterparts for sample sizes at a 95% confidence. When utilized correctly using an appropriate scale and spatial resolution, these surfaces have the potential to be effective tools in the study of food deserts.

Seismotectonic database of Turkey

Turkey is located in one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Characterizing seismic source zones in this region requires evaluation and integration of geological, geophysical, seismological and geodetical data. This first seismotectonic database for Turkey presented herein was prepared, under the framework of the National Earthquake Strategy and Action Plan—2023. The geographic information system (GIS)-based database includes maps of active faults, catalogues of instrumental and historical earthquakes, moment tensor solutions and data on crustal thickness. On the basis of these data, 18 major seismotectonic zones were delineated for Turkey and the surrounding region. The compilation and storage of the seismotectonic data sets in a digital GIS will allow analyses and systematic updates as new data accrete over time.

A Web GIS Based Decision Support System for Agriculture Crop Monitoring System-A Case Study from Part of Medak District

The success of planning for developmental activities depends on the quality and quantity of information available on both natural and socio-economic resources. It is, therefore, essential to devise the ways and means of organizing computerized information system. These systems must be capable of handling vast amount of data collected by modern techniques and produce up to date information. Remote sensing technology has already demonstrated its capabilities to provide information on natural resources such as crop, land use, soils, forest etc., on regular basis. The role of remote sensing and GIS in agricultural applications can be broadly categorized into two groups-inventorying/mapping and management. While remote sensing data alone are mostly used for, inventorying, crop acreage estimation, crop condition assessment, crop yield forecasting, soil mapping, etc., purposes, the management related activities like irrigation management, cropping system analysis, precision farming, etc., needs various other types of spatial physical! Environmental information. The latter has to be integrated with remote sensing data, where the functionality of GIS will be used. In the present study, techniques of remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) have been used to monitor and map the Sugarcane crop at farm level. The Quick bird data of 60 cm resolution was acquired and was geometrically corrected and georeferenced for subsequent processing and analysis using Digital Image Processing (DIP) and GIS. After the generation of the thematic layers at farm level using GIS, using the various customization tolls available in the GIS a web based monitoring system for the sugarcane has been prepared. This monitoring system helps the decision makers to take appropriate decisions in order to increase the crop production and other activities related to the crop. The Web GIS helps the non-technical users to access the information and take appropriate measures to improve the crop production. These user-friendly systems need to be developed and made simple in order to take the technology from the scientific community to the common man.

A first overview of open access digital data for the Ross Sea: complexities, ethics, and management opportunities

It is now understood that the Ross Sea stands as one of the last relatively pristine (ocean) areas. Many decades of international research have been carried out under the Antarctic Treaty System stipulating that data acquired under this scheme must be shared with the global community. In line with Carlson (Nature 469:293, 2011, Polar Research 10.3402/polar.v32i0.20789, 2013), we find little evidence of enforcement towards making digital geographic information systems (GIS) project data available online for the wider Ross Sea ecosystem. While it is possible to find easily >40 digital datasets for most areas and pixels worldwide, despite many decades of research in the Ross Sea, only app. 100 digital datasets can be found for the study area. It simply shows that data from many studies in the region are not available. High-quality population and trend data explicit in space and time are mostly missing in the public realm, e.g., from the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR.org). This presents an ethical dilemma because it still appears that sufficient data exist for a pro-active and pre-cautionary management of this region. No coherent and efficient management scheme truly exists and is applied for this precious part of the world now heavily affected by global stressors and mismanagement of data and resources.

2D and 3D GIS-based geological and geomechanical survey during tunnel excavation

The survey of rock mass conditions during the excavation of a tunnel is critical to ensuring the adequacy of the planned rock support measures. Information acquired by mapping the tunnel heading has a limited extension, making it difficult to mentally connect features and visualize the geometry and the systematics of geological structures along the tunnel axis. Therefore, a digital GIS (Geographic Information System)-based method has been developed to perform the geological survey and to automate a part of the geological/geomechanical mapping during tunnel excavation. A rugged tablet PC is used to digitally collect rock mass characteristics into a georeferenced map of the tunnel heading. Data are then added to a central database by a routine that automatically converts the relative coordinates of the face/walls maps to the geographic coordinates of the site. From the converted data, a horizontal cross-section of the encountered geology is drawn, and a 3D model of the surveyed discontinuities is automatically generated by a custom geoprocessing tool. A graph parallel to the tunnel axis, termed a parallel data viewer (PDV), allows one to automatically plot and control data associated with the excavation, such as geomechanical parameters, convergence values, overprofile height, wedge volumes and rock support classes. The horizontal geological cross-section along the tunnel axis and PDV dramatically increase comprehension of interactions between the rock mass and the support measures; they visually summarize a substantial amount of information and describe complex technical concepts in a way comprehensible even to non-specialists. The capacity of anticipating forthcoming geological problems, hence reducing hazards, is improved by representing interpretations of drillings on the site map and in 3D. The 3D model of the geology–tunnel interaction is used to calculate volumes of wedges and to assess the adequacy of rock support using parameters that accurately describe the real geological conditions.