Use Of Geographic Information Systems Research Articles

Utilisation of Spatial Data in Energy Biomass Supply Chain Research—A Review

The supply logistics of energy biomasses generally involves a complex system of supply chains, which aim to achieve timely and cost-efficient feedstock deliveries to biomass demand points. The performance of supply chains is often examined in case studies where spatial data about biomass sources and transportation networks are deployed in varying resolutions and to different geographical extents. In this paper, we have reviewed 94 publications, in which spatial data were used in case studies that focused on analysing and optimising energy biomass supply chains. The reviewed publications were classified into 16 categories, according to the publication year, study methods and objectives, biomass types, supply system complexity and the spatial features of each study area. This review found that the use of geographical information systems in this context has increased in popularity in recent years, and that and the multiformity of the applied methods, study objectives and data sources have increased simultaneously. Another finding was that most of the studies that we reviewed focused on countries in which spatial biomass and transport network data of high quality were unrestrictedly available. Nevertheless, case studies, including spatial data from multiple countries, were represented marginally in the papers that we reviewed. In this paper we also argue that a standard way of reporting geographical contents in biomass case studies should be developed to improve the comprehension and reproducibility of the publications in this field of research.

Retroceso de glaciares con imágenes ópticas y de radar: Glaciar Olivares y Juncal sur

Most of the glaciers in Chile have experienced strong retreats and surface reductions from historical times to the present in response to global climate changes (1). Climate change is not the only factor, given that both the Anthropic intervention and/or natural factors may contribute to accelerating glacial shrinkage. Studies and measurements carried out by researchers have revealed that the Andean glaciers of the central zone are increasingly vulnerable to processes of mass loss and fragmentation as a result of the darkening of the ice and its effect on the absorption of solar radiation, a phenomenon known as the albedo effect. Not only are they losing surface, but they are also thinning up to two meters per year, a figure that is no less, since a large part of the glaciers in the central zone, and in particular in the Metropolitan Region, are no more than a few tens of meters Tall. Having knowledge of the variation of the glacial area is essential for the decision-making process in the management and conservation of solid water reserves and thus face potential water crises in the region over time. Through remote sensing techniques and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the aim is to determine the variation in area and volume that the Olivares Alfa, Beta, Gamma and Juncal Sur glaciers have experienced and at the same time calculate the current speed of movement Juncal Sur Glacier.

Retroceso de glaciares con imágenes ópticas y de radar: Glaciar Olivares y Juncal sur

Most of the glaciers in Chile have experienced strong retreats and surface reductions from historical times to the present in response to global climate changes (1). Climate change is not the only factor, given that both the Anthropic intervention and/or natural factors may contribute to accelerating glacial shrinkage. Studies and measurements carried out by researchers have revealed that the Andean glaciers of the central zone are increasingly vulnerable to processes of mass loss and fragmentation as a result of the darkening of the ice and its effect on the absorption of solar radiation, a phenomenon known as the albedo effect. Not only are they losing surface, but they are also thinning up to two meters per year, a figure that is no less, since a large part of the glaciers in the central zone, and in particular in the Metropolitan Region, are no more than a few tens of meters Tall. Having knowledge of the variation of the glacial area is essential for the decision-making process in the management and conservation of solid water reserves and thus face potential water crises in the region over time. Through remote sensing techniques and the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the aim is to determine the variation in area and volume that the Olivares Alfa, Beta, Gamma and Juncal Sur glaciers have experienced and at the same time calculate the current speed of movement Juncal Sur Glacier.

Evaluating Transformations in Small Metal Finds Following the Black Death

THIS PAPER SEEKS to evaluate transformations in portable material culture following the Black Death in England (1348–1349), specifically through an analysis of small metal finds data recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). It will discuss the use of Geographic Information Systems and other computational methods in archaeological research, and apply this to compare and contrast PAS data against that from excavated urban sites. The importance of PAS data will then be highlighted as a chronological and spatially wide-ranging resource for understanding socio-economic change in portable material culture throughout the Middle Ages, focussing on the significant period of demographic change in the 14th century. It is suggested that an improvement in living standards is reflected in the variety of portable objects that have been recovered, and case studies of certain artefact types, with specific emphasis on dress accessories, will be used to demonstrate this.

Spatial Diversity Mapping of Plant Species in Karlahi Forest Reserve, Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State

The analysis of the spatial species diversity in Karlahi Forest Reserve of Fufore Local Government of Adamawa State, Nigeria was carried out and it was aimed at analyzing the distribution of tree species within the forest reserve which is vital to the understanding of changes that occurred within the forest. This research adopted three methodological approaches that are, the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) and field investigation to determine the species diversity. The results of the species diversity show that zone 3 has the highest species richness with Bauhinia thonningii and Anogeissus Leiocarpus also known as “Kalgoo” and “Mark” in Hausa language respectively as dominant species and species endemism, zone 4 has the highest species red list followed by zone 3 and 2. The common species that make the red list are Pterocarpus Erinaceus, ziziphus spina-christi, Balanites Aegyptiaca, Vitellaria paradoxa, Anogeissus Leiocarpus, banhinia thonningii, Parkia Biglobosa, Detarium microcarpum. It is recommended that Land Cover information and regular species diversity audit should be incorporated into the conservation practices and Nation and state policies on Forest reserves and parks should be adhered to strictly.

Mapping the Potential of Tourism Villages Using Geographical Information System in Bintan Regency, Riau Islands, Indonesia

Tourist villages are typically formed to provide at least three major benefits to the local community, namely economic, social, and environmental benefits. Pengudang and Busung villages have the potential to be used as tourist destinations, but this potential has not been fully realized. Pengudang and Busung Villages have been unable to provide economic benefits to the surrounding community due to a lack of utilization and development of natural resources. So far, the hub of tourist activity in Bintan Regency has only been Sebong Lagoi Village and its environs. Despite the fact that there are many villages in Bintan Regency with interesting development potential. As a result, a strategy must be developed so that Pengudang Village and Busung Village, in addition to Sebong Lagoi Village, can be developed as alternative tourist destinations. The use of geographic information systems can aid in the mapping of potential tourist villages. The goal of this study is to use a geographic information system to identify and map the tourism potential in Pengudang and Busung villages. This study employed a spatial analysis based on attractiveness and supporting facilities. According to the results of spatial data processing and field surveys, Pengudang Village has five tourism potentials, while Busung Village has four.

Dynamic Analysis of Risk to Water Quality in the Baimei Reservoir Conservation Area, Fujian Province, China

The security of drinking water resources is an important concern for human survival. The extensive use of geographic information system and remote sensing data in risk assessments of water quality from a spatiotemporal perspective can complement water resource management. In this study, we investigated Baimei reservoir conservation area, Fujian Province, China. The quantitatively inversed leaf area index was used to represent the vegetation growth condition in simulations of the hydrological process using soil and water assessment tool. According to the simulation results, the spatial distribution of the risk to water quality was mainly related to the land-use condition, and the temporal distribution of the risk to water quality was mainly related to the precipitation dynamics. Single factor analysis of various scenarios showed that uncontrolled expansion of agricultural land (scenario A) would lead to an overall average increase of 231.9% in the total nitrogen (TN) load in the basin. By contrast, if agricultural lands are all transformed into forests (scenario B), then the overall TN load in the basin would decrease by an average of 20.8%. In practical terms, conversion of sloping agricultural lands to forests (scenario C) could reduce the overall TN load by 17.0%. Thus, moderate conversion of agricultural lands to forests can reduce the pollution load effectively. The simulation results obtained for scenarios with adjustments to the fertilization time and amount showed that applying fertilizer on rainy days would increase the risk to water quality compared with days without rain. The method developed in this study can be applied for dynamic analysis in water quality risk assessments of water conservation areas and can provide a scientific reference for promoting ecological management strategies and sustainable development at the regional scale.

Geospatial distribution of tertiary hospitals across Australian cities.

Objective This study aimed to map the geographic distribution of tertiary hospitals in Australia's most populous cities. Good access to hospital facilities improves the health and welfare of a community. The use of geographic information system (GIS) technology can assist in understanding spacial accessibility to services. Methods Using Quantum GIS, a geodatabase was constructed to incorporate hospital locations and demographic distribution data throughout Australia's 20 most populous cities. Data on the population's age groups were integrated into the geodatabase to investigate the distribution of age groups and their utilisation of access to emergency departments in tertiary public health care. Overall this study reported the geospatial distribution of 89 tertiary hospitals and the demographics of the population in areas around these hospitals. Results The majority of hospitals were located in the three most populated cities of New South Wales (NSW), Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle, which contain a total of 32 hospitals, with 23 (72%) of the hospitals in Sydney. There were 7.8, 24.0, 53.4 and 81.0% of the population in NSW within 1.5, 3, 6 and 50 km of the hospitals, respectively. The second-highest number of hospitals was in Victoria (n = 22), with 18 (82%) hospitals located in Melbourne. This was followed by Queensland (n = 14), with eight (57%) hospitals located in Brisbane. Conclusions The results indicate that 82.2% of the Australian population lives within a 50 km radius of a tertiary hospital, with NSW having higher age distribution percentages than the other states. The results of this study could be used to locate and improve areas of need with a high burden of disease and low accessibility to healthcare services.

Разработка электронных карт объектов культурного наследия Русского Севера

Now, interest in the exploration of territories located in the north of the Russian Federation is growing rapidly. The northern regions of the country began to play one of the key roles due to the redistribution of economic and financial flows, as well as increased attention to security and upholding Russian geopolitical interests. The concept of “Russian North” has moved from the category of ethno-historical to a rigid legal one and includes a list of administrative lands, where there are both huge mineral reserves and unique objects of nature and culture created by various peoples and ethnic groups. The use of geographic information systems (GIS) and maps as the results of the work of GIS is the most efficient, objective and visual tool for displaying cultural heritage objects for further use of knowledge on their functioning and conservation. This article demonstrates the experience of creating a series of electronic maps of cultural heritage objects on the territory of the Russian North (scale 1:6 500 000) based on geoinformation mapping using author’s classifications. The relevance of the study stems from the fact that at the moment there is no single unified database for mapping cultural heritage sites of the Russian North, and all cartographic materials and results of GIS operation that are in the public domain cannot provide all classification units in a single series of visual cartographic models. The article proposes for consideration three electronic maps: “Russian North. Objects of temple architecture of federal importance”, “Russian North. Objects of industrial and civil architecture of federal significance”, “Russian North. Objects of cultural heritage of regional significance”. It is proposed to introduce strict classifications of cultural heritage objects of the Russian North, which are logical for use on a series of electronic maps: categories (federal objects/regional objects), types of objects (monuments/ensembles/places of interest), content types (objects of temple/industrial and civil architecture, etc.) and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The experience of developing electronic maps of the cultural heritage of the Russian North aims to unite all the objects of these unique territories according to various classifications in a single series of thematic maps and thereby make it possible to simplify decision-making for administrators at various levels when working with protected cultural heritage objects of the Russian North.

Methodological and methodical basis for the study of two-tiered anthropogenic landscapes

The study of anthropogenic landscapes is an urgent topic in modern geography and ecology. Anthropogenic landscapes arise due to the anthropogenic activity impact on nature and have a two-tiered structure consisting of natural and anthropogenic components. The study of these landscapes requires a scientifically substantiated methodological and methodical basis that will allow us to collect, analyze and interpret data on the subject. The purpose of the article is to consider the methodological and methodical aspects of the study of the two-tiered anthropogenic landscapes. It aims to define the theoretical foundations and practical approaches to the study of these landscapes, as well as to analyze the methods of data collection and processing that provide information about the natural and anthropogenic components of the landscape. Main material. The article discusses the basic concepts and theoretical foundations of the study of two-tiered anthropogenic landscapes, including their classification and identification. The author considers methodological approaches to the study of anthropogenic landscapes, including the use of various methods of data collection and processing, analysis of cartographic material and the use of geographic information systems. The scientific significance of this article lies in the fact that it provides new approaches to the study of the two-tiered nature of anthropogenic landscapes, which we can use in further scientific research and practical activities. The results of this study can be useful for geographers, ecologists and other specialists involved in the study and protection of nature. Conclusions and further research: The study of the two-tiered nature of anthropogenic landscapes uses a variety of methods that help scientists better understand and assess the impact of anthropogenic activities on the natural environment. The use of geoinformation analysis, socio-geographical research, statistical analysis and other methods allows us to get a more complete picture of the two-tiered system, taking into account various aspects of the interaction between the anthroposphere and the biosphere. The study of the two-tiered nature of anthropogenic landscapes is an important part of modern geography and ecology. The use of classifications, integrated methodologies and geoinformation analyses helps to investigate the relationship between human activity and natural environment.

Impact of Digital Farming on Sustainable Development and Planning in Agriculture and Increasing the Competitiveness of the Agricultural Business

To develop agriculture, it is crucial to introduce digital farming. This is a fundamentally new management strategy based on digital technologies associated with the use of geographic information systems of global positioning, onboard computers, and smart equipment, as well as managerial and executive processes that can differentiate the methods of farming, fertilization, and adding chemical ameliorants and plant protection products. The study aims at determining the applied aspects and key components within a system of digital farming as a tool for the sustainable development of the agricultural business. The authors chose a mixed type of research, with a predominance of qualitative research methods. In particular, to collect data, the authors analyzed scientific sources on the research problem and conducted an expert survey measuring the degree of consistency of expert opinions with mathematical processing of the results obtained. It was determined that in Russia, it is necessary to consistently introduce the use of digital farming. This includes the introduction of parallel stirring, the ability to turn off the sections of the seeder on the floors, the re-equipment of crop protection sprayers to turn off the sections on the floors, and the acquisition of new equipment for differentiated fertilization. The authors conclude that the introduction of digital farming by agricultural producers is a tool for sustainable development and planning in agriculture and increasing the competitiveness of the agricultural business since it increases the economic (increased yields, reduced crop losses, increased land bank efficiency), environmental (production in risky farming areas), and social (increasing the level of personnel qualification and social standards) efficiency of their activities.

Remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS)-based high-resolution mapping of potential groundwater recharge zones on the hard rock terrains of the Cameroon volcanic line (CVL)

Groundwater is the major water reserve in the present context of global warming-related droughts that appear to be more intense in hard rock terrains. The use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies are increasingly beneficial to groundwater research, by allowing for low cost and larger-scale high-resolution mapping compared to conventional hydrogeological exploration methods. This study aimed at developing a high-resolution map of potential groundwater recharge (GWRpot) zones for the drought-stricken Banka hard rock terrain, straddling the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). Shuttle Radar Tomography Mission (SRTM)-30m and Landsat 8 satellite images constituted the main data source that was ground-truthed through field mapping and used to produce various thematic GIS layers: geology slope, aspect, land use & land cover, drainage density and lineament density of spatial resolution 16m x 16m. The layers were each attributed a fixed score and weight to groundwater recharge, computed using Multi-Influencing Factor (MIF) and Analytical Hierarchy Process of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (AHP-MCDA) techniques. Lastly, a Weighted Overlay Analysis was done using the layers to produce the GWRpot zones for the study area. The resulting map shows that 60% of the study area, covering the south, west-northwest and the north-northeast portions of the map have moderate to very high recharge potentials. This result is particularly useful for groundwater targeting in the area and demonstrates the effectiveness of the method in hard rock terrains where traditional methods have been less efficient in properly delineating groundwater recharge zones.Article highlightsGroundwater is generally the safest and most reliable source of water in water scarce environments, and forms when surface water goes into the ground.More areas where water can enter the ground means more chances of getting enough groundwater. Conventional ways of knowing these areas are time consuming and costly, whereas RS and GIS-based methods are less costly and use lesser time.We used the RS, GIS, high-resolution field mapping and statistical methods of blending several factors to produce the potential groundwater recharge zones on a part of the hardrocks of the CVL, that shows 60% of the study area, covering the south, west-northwest and the north-northeast portions of the area have moderate to very high recharge potentials.

Prospects for improving geostrategic asset management of the country on the basis of the unified spatial data system

In the article, the authors considered the theoretical provisions of the use of geographical information systems in cadastral activities. The paper analyzed the regulatory framework of cadastral activities, the provision of information and cartographic information. The authors noted that significant attention is paid to the provision of public services in the field of cadastre in electronic form and the implementation of cadastral activities using Internet technologies. The authors also mentioned that to date, a huge number of different software systems with distinctive features that are necessary for the effective conduct of cadastral activities have been developed in the country. The paper contains the most common violations in the establishment of territorial zones, implements the experience of using the functionality of GIS, examines the stages of checking for violations of semantic and graphical data, and makes proposals aimed at eliminating errors in order to place land plots on state cadastral registration. In order to ensure the correct operation of information systems, it’s advisable to determine the legal relations associated with the lawful creation and operation of GIS that meet the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation. Nowadays it is also necessary to develop a number of domestic GIS for the purposes of cadastral activities.

Development of a Predictive Model for Estimating Stocks of Medicinal Plants Using GIS Tools on the Example of the Middle Urals

Introduction. Intensive anthropogenic impact leads to a sharp reduction in natural reserves of many valuable plants. In this regard, previously obtained data on stocks quickly become obsolete. Therefore, the inventory of stocks of medicinal plants in the Russian Federation as a whole and the Middle Urals, in particular, remains an urgent problem. Unfortunately, modern technologies are not being implemented intensively enough in the domestic pharmacy. In our opinion, the reasons for this are expensive software, insufficient theoretical and practical skills to work on personal computers, as well as the specifics of the industry. Despite this, the use of geographic information systems (GIS) in pharmacy is quite promising [7–9]. The use of geographical information systems as a methodological basis will make it possible to map the areas of medicinal plants, to analyze plant communities not only for the territory of the Middle Urals at a high scientific level [1, 4].Aim. Development of predictive models for the distribution of medicinal plants based on a comprehensive assessment of the state of populations of wild medicinal plants of the Middle Urals.Materials and methods. The determination of raw material reserves of the studied species of medicinal plants was carried out on specific thickets according to the generally accepted methodology. The authenticity of raw materials was established by the macroscopic method when collecting samples of raw materials. In the course of the study, stocks of 4652 populations of 27 species of medicinal plants growing in the Middle Urals were studied. The collection of the material was carried out in the period from 2006 to 2019 during the survey of the administrative districts of the Perm Krai and the Sverdlovsk region. A comparative comprehensive assessment of resource and phytochemical indicators was studied using the example of 6 species of wild medicinal plants: Origanum vulgare L., Lamiaceae, Hypericum perforatum L., Hypericaceae and Hypericum maculatum Crantz, Hypericaceae, Tanacetum vulgare L., Asteraceae, Artemisia absinthium L., Asteraceae, Leonurus quinquelobatus Gilib., Lamiaceae, Achillea millefolium L., Asteraceae.Results and discussion. In the course of resource and phytochemical studies of representatives of the medicinal flora of the Middle Urals, a comprehensive assessment of the state of populations of wild medicinal plants – sources of medicinal plant raw materials (herba Origani vulgaris, herba Hyperici, flores Tanaceti vulgaris, herba Artemisiae absinthii, herba Achilleae millefolii and herba Leonuri) was carried out. A geospatial analysis of the distribution of medicinal plant populations by soil types within the regions of the Middle Urals was carried out. An algorithm for constructing predictive models of the distribution of populations of wild medicinal plants of the Middle Urals has been worked out. A set of maps of the "occurrence" of medicinal plants in the study area has been developed.Conclusion. The conducted complex of studies will allow updating information about the medicinal flora of the Middle Urals. Developed on the example of a number of representatives of the medicinal flora of the Middle Urals, the algorithm for constructing forecast maps can be used for any regions in the presence of appropriate topos.

A framework for considering the use of computational design technologies in the built environment design process

This research proposes a Computation in Design (C-in-D) framework for design practices to consider the adoption of computational technologies in their design process. Examples of computational design technologies include but are not limited to computational algorithms, the Internet of Things (IoT), reality capture and digital fabrications. We develop the framework by categorizing design projects based on their physical scales, defining the work stages in a design project, and decomposing the design process into tasks and data flows. The computational design technologies can then be assessed by mapping its usage onto these data flows. The framework provides a basic structure for practices to customize and systematically assess the impacts of using computational design technologies in their design process. We demonstrate the C-in-D framework in three case studies, a sculpture design, an interior retrofit, and a form-based code development. The demonstration shows that web-based interactive parametric modeling and reality capture technologies can improve collaboration between the artist and modeler in the sculpture design project. IoT and optimization algorithms can improve the daylighting performance of the interior retrofit, and the use of Geographic Information System and reality capture technology can improve site analysis and visioning of the form-based code development process. The framework is a valuable tool for facilitating the adoption of new design technologies in practice.

Digital methodology to detect vulnerable areas to flooding in urban zones located in the mountains

The risk of flooding in cities near riverbeds is a latent concern, especially during the rainy season. A specific case is that of Misantla, located in the State of Veracruz-Mexico, where floods have already caused social and economic damages. For flood prevention, this study proposes a digital methodology based on specialized ArcGIS, HEC-RAS and HEC-GeoRAS software, taking as a case study the urban areas located in mountainous areas of Misantla, Veracruz; likewise, hydrodynamic models supported by field studies and the use of geographic information systems (GIS) were used in order to know the vulnerable areas. The simulation shows the probable flood zones and the maximum depth levels that flows can reach in extraordinary rainfall events, which is an important element for risk assessment. By forecasting flooding areas, the spatial resolutions used also have a direct impact on mitigating damages caused by flooding. The study results in a risk map showing the sectors of the population most vulnerable to the problem of flooding and information for the design of protection works. In the city of Misantla, the case of this study, the simulated risk map shows that 57.3% of the surface area of the city of Misantla, particularly the downtown area, is at risk of flooding.

Review of the Use of GIS in Public Health and Food Safety

The use of geographic information systems (GIS) is increasingly common in the scientific domains of public health and food safety. In this paper, we present the results of three analyses that we conducted to explore the application of GIS in these domains. The analysis includes a case study to test the feasibility of providing GIS services through an application developed with open-source tools. The first section presents the results from a scoping review looking at the current GIS practices in the public health and food safety domains as found in scientific literature. The second section shares the findings from a visual exploration of the use of GIS by EU agencies and supra-national bodies in the public health and food safety domains. The third section presents the current scenario of GIS used at the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), which was tracked with an internal survey circulated among EFSA's scientific community. Alongside the three analyses, we look at current practices in terms of 1) fields in which GIS is used, 2) the infrastructure used for GIS, 3) GIS data, and 4) the methodology used for data collection, processing and analysis. The results show that GIS is used in multiple fields related to public health and food safety, such as epidemiology, plant health, animal health, and agriculture. We conclude that despite facing challenges regarding data quality issues, legal implications, and technical limitations, GIS has great potential given its relevance to the current environmental and health crises: such a holistic approach is in line with the One Health concept supported by EFSA and different European and international institutions. Moreover, GIS facilitates transition from control to prevention thanks to its capacity to develop spatial models that move from description to prediction. Finally, GIS facilitates communication, which guides better policy making.

Report of the 6th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on Geospatial Humanities (GeoHumanities 2022)

The field of Geospatial Humanities addresses the use of geographic information systems and other spatial technologies in humanities research, looking to address questions related to space and place. The field is constantly evolving, and currently it is posing very interesting challenges relating, for example, to the identification and analysis of real, vague, and imaginary space in humanities sources like archival manuscripts, maps, encyclopedias, newspapers, correspondence collections, and more. These kinds of documents pose new challenges for identifying and analyzing spatial information, and a strong emphasis is being put on new methodologies that leverage the standard tools from geographic information systems, as well as more advanced methods (e.g., based on machine learning) such as text- and image-based geographical analysis, this way combining GIS, NLP, Deep Mapping, Computer Vision, and Qualitative Spatial Representation, among others.

Applications of GIS and remote sensing in public participation and stakeholder engagement for watershed management

The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies for the development of water quality management programs and for post-implementation assessments has increased dramatically in the past decade. This increase in adoption has been made more accessible through the interfaces of many popular software tools used in the regulation and assessment of water quality. Customized applications of these tools will increase, as ease of access and affordability of directly monitored and remotely sensed datasets improve over time. Concurrently, there is a need for inclusive participatory engagement with stakeholders to achieve solutions to current watershed management challenges. This paper explores the potential of these GIS and remote sensing datasets, tools, models, and immersive engagement technologies from other domains, for improving public participation and stakeholder engagement throughout the watershed planning process. To do so, an initial review is presented about the use of GIS and remote sensing in watershed management and its role in impairment identification, model development, and planning and implementation. Then, ways in which GIS and remote sensing can be integrated with stakeholder engagement through (1) leveraging GIS and remote sensing datasets, and (2) stakeholder engagement approaches including outreach and education, modeler-led development, and stakeholder-led involvement and feedback, are discussed. Finally, future perspectives on the potential for transforming public participation and stakeholder engagement in the watershed management process through applications of GIS and remote sensing are presented.

AI helps fleet operators plan electric switch [Automotive Transport

This article discusses road transport companies switching internal-combustion engine vehicles (ICEs) to electric vehicles (EVs) and the AI strategies that are helping plan infrastructure such as charging point location and forecasting and analysis of data to help run vehicle fleets more efficiently. It touches on topics such as ownership cost reduction, net-zero targets, infrastructure elements and regional variation on EV performance. Other topics discussed include: data analytics and AI already being used in particular companies e.g. BT for improving their scheduling and location selection, and combining the use of geographic information systems (GIS), spatial analytics, machine learning and computer vision to improve forecasting, data understanding, mapping retail activity, and informed map-based analyses.