Geometrical entities for analysis of geographical entities in Geographic Information Systems using oriented object data modeling

El presente artículo propone una metodología (usando el modelado de datos orientado a objetos) en la utilización de entidades geométricas tales como Punto, Polilínea y Polígono de una manera abstracta con el fin de usar sus propiedades y algunas funciones para luego ser usados en los Sistemas de Información Geográfica (GIS en sus siglas en ingles) de una manera automatizada y entendible en la programación y/o automatización de algoritmos facilitando su aplicación para la representación de entidades geográficas. Al final del presente artículo se expondrán algunos ejemplos sencillos de la implementación de cada abstracción para su mejor entendimiento.This paper proposes a methodology (using Object-oriented data modeling) to use geometrical entities such as “Point” (Punto in Spanish), “Polyline” (Polilínea in Spanish) and “Polygon” (Polígono in Spanish) using an abstract way using their properties and some functions upon themselves, in order to use them in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Programming in an easier way to represent geographical entities. The last part you can see some simple examples about performing these abstractions

A mechanistic ecohydrological model to investigate complex interactions in cold and warm water‐controlled environments: 1. Theoretical framework and plot‐scale analysis

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95321/1/jame60.pd

Improving the Physical Processes and Model Integration Functionality of an Energy Balance Model for Snow and Glacier Melt

The Hindu-Kush Himalayan region possesses a large resource of snow and ice, which acts as a freshwater reservoir for irrigation, domestic water consumption or hydroelectric power for billions of people in South Asia. Monitoring hydrologic resources in this region is challenging because of the difficulty of installing and maintaining a climate and hydrologic monitoring network, limited transportation and communication infrastructure and difficult access to glaciers. As a result of the high, rugged topographic relief, ground observations in the region are extremely sparse. Reanalysis data offer the potential to compensate for the data scarcity, which is a barrier in hydrological modeling and analysis for improving water resources management. Reanalysis weather data products integrate observations with atmospheric model physics to produce a spatially and temporally complete weather record in the post-satellite era. This dissertation creates an integrated hydrologic modeling system that tests whether streamflow prediction can be improved by taking advantage of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) remote sensing and reanalysis weather data products in physically based energy balance snow melt and hydrologic models. This study also enhances the energy balance snowmelt model by adding capability to quantify glacier melt. The novelty of this integrated modeling tool resides in allowing the user to isolate various components of surface water inputs (rainfall, snow and glacier ice melt) in a cost-free, open source graphical-user interface-based system that can be used for government and institutional decision-making. Direct, physically based validation of this system is challenging due to the data scarcity in this region, but, to the extent possible, the model was validated through comparison to observed streamflow and to point measurements at locations in the United States having available dat

Object-orientation and integration for modelling water resource systems using the ACRU model.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Water is a limiting resource in South Africa, with demand in many catchments exceeding supply, necessitating transfers of water between catchments. This situation requires detailed and integrated management of the country’s water resources, considering environmental, social and economic aspects as outlined in the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998). Integrated water resources management (IWRM) will require better data and information through monitoring and integrated water resources modelling. The ACRU hydrological model is an important repository of South African water research and knowledge. In recent years there have been technological advances in computer programming techniques and model integration. The thesis for this study was that the valuable knowledge already existing in the ACRU model could be leveraged to provide a better hydrological model to support IWRM in South Africa by: (i) restructuring the model using object-oriented design and programming techniques, and (ii) implementing a model interface standard. Object-oriented restructuring of the ACRU model resulted in a more flexible model enabling better representation of complex water resource systems. The restructuring also resulted in a more extensible model to facilitate the inclusion of new modules and improved data handling. A new model input structure was developed using Extensible Markup Language (XML) to complement the object-oriented structure of the ACRU model. It was recognised that different models have different purposes and strengths. The OpenMI 2.0 model interface standard was implemented for ACRU, enabling ntegration with other OpenMI 2.0 compliant specialised models representing different domains to provide a more holistic IWRM view of water resource systems. Model integration using OpenMI was demonstrated by linking ACRU to the eWater Source river network model. A case study in the upper uMngeni Catchment in South Africa demonstrated: (i) the benefits of the object-oriented design of the restructured ACRU model, in the context of using ACRU to create modelled catchment-scale water resource accounts, and (ii) the integration of ACRU with another model using OpenMI. The case study also demonstrated that despite the improvements to the ACRU model, the simulations are only as good as the model input data

Designing a human-centred, mobile interface to support real-time flood forecasting and warning system

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThere is a demand for human-centred technology which improves the management of flood events. This thesis describes the development, design and evaluation of a mobile GIS-based hydrological model. The application provides hydrological forecasts and issues flood warnings. The thesis reports on the usability and practicality of the application. The application, a mobile-based hydrological modelling system, permits the integrated handling of real-time rainfall data from a wireless monitoring network. A spatially distributed GIS-based model integrates this incoming data, approximating real-time, to generate data on catchment hydrology and runoff. The data can be accessed from any android-based mobile computer or mobile phone. It may be further analysed online using several GIS and numerical functions. A human-centred approach to design was taken. Design guidelines for a user-centric application were developed and deployed in the first prototype. There was intensive consultation with potential users. Particular attention was paid to the ease of use of the mobile interface. Users’ needs and attitudes were relevant in the achievement of a highly functional but intuitive interface. The first prototype underwent intensive testing with users. After the initial testing of the first prototype an interactive approach was taken to development. This generated a high-fidelity prototype which was matched to the taxonomy from a user’s mental model. Users were interrogated under controlled laboratory conditions as they performed predefined tasks which were selected to generate data across all aspects of the system and to identify weaknesses. Subsequent to this work there was a major prototype re-design. User test data, identified issues and an improved mental taxonomy closer were used to further refine the application. Of particular note was new functionality which aligned with user expectations and enhanced the applications credibility. The final evaluation of the system was undertaken with diverse subjects. Overall, the subjects considered the system efficient and effective. Users said the system was easy to learn and integrate into their work. Task completion rates were satisfactory. The final interviews with users confirmed that the application was ready to proceed to the implementation phase