Towards the development of a strategy for a national spatial data infrastructure

In today's world of ever advancing technology the time is precisely right for investment in the development and implementation of a national spatial data infrastructure. This implies that all spatial data presently scattered in different departments and organisations are coordinated and shared. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia there are a number of different mapping and Geographic Information System (GIS) activities being implemented within various government organisations, each with its own merits. Certain research and pilot projects have also been carried out aiming to provide help and recommendations with regard to spatial data sharing and to promote awareness of the importance of spatial data to the Kingdom's development. However, there is an urgent need for a consolidation of effort to avoid the costly mistake of duplication of work; hence the need for a unified national spatial data infrastructure. This research aims to develop a conceptual framework for a strategy for a national spatial data infrastructure (SNSDI) including its main components. A proposal is presented for a Saudi national spatial data infrastructure (which happens to have the same abbreviation - SNSDI) to consolidate isolated mapping and spatial data efforts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in place of the current practice of each agency acting independently. This research project will hopefully provide a leadership role in developing a Kingdom-wide spatial data infrastructure

Design and implementation of an ocean observing system: WAVCIS (Wave-Current-Surge Information System) and its application to the Louisiana coast

WAVCIS (Wave-Current-Surge Information System for Coastal Louisiana) was designed to measure meteorological and hydrodynamic phenomena along the Louisiana coast. The information measured includes waves, currents, water depth, surge, turbidity, salinity and meteorological conditions. WAVCIS collects data and transfers it back to the data processing laboratory at LSU through wireless communication. The data undergo post-processing and archiving. Users can access the real-time or archived information through the World Wide Web. This dissertation utilized the information provided by WAVCIS stations and NDBC buoys during Hurricane Lili and Tropical Storm to examine temporal and spatial variations of storm induced meteorological and oceanographic dynamics. The results show that waves during Hurricane Lili ranged from 1.8 meters in Terrebonne Bay, 6.2 meters offshore at a depth of 20 meters and 12 meters in Central Gulf of Mexico. The track of Hurricane Lili passed over CSI 3 where the peak in significant wave height reached 2.7 meters. The maximum current speeds near sea surface and near bottom generated by Hurricane Lili were 1.8 m/s and 1.1 m/s respectively. During the peak of the storm the water column was dominated by a northwest current. Currents were initially impacted by the storms when they encountered the continental shelf. Within approximately twice the radius of maximum wind (Rw) during Hurricane Lili, the current measured by an ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) exhibited an almost perfect logarithmic profile extending to near the sea surface from the bottom. The range of the estimated shear velocity during the passage of Hurricane Lili was 5-12.5 cm/s. Storm wave energy dumping occurred along the muddy shelf in western Louisiana. Waves generated by Hurricane Lili and Tropical Storm Isidore showed considerable difference in both time and space domains. Wave spectra for Tropical Storm Isidore showed distinct peaks for both swell and wind-driven waves. The wave spectra for Hurricane Lili demonstrated complicated multiple peaks throughout the entire frequency domain. Swells with longer periods tended to survive longer in the space domain and shorter in the time domain. Hurricane Lili generated 1.4 meters of storm surge at CSI 3. The surges appeared lower than modeled estimates

Coastal Biophysical Inventory Database for the Point Reyes National Seashore

The Coastal Biophysical Inventory Database is the repository of the data gathered from a rapid assessment of approximately 161 km of the intertidal habitat managed by the Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Coastal Biophysical Inventory Database is modeled after the “Alaska Coastal Resources Inventory and Mapping Database” and CoastWalker program of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The protocol and database were adapted for this effort to represent the features of the Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area located along the northern central coast of California. The database is an integration of spatial data and observation data entered and browsed through an interface designed to complement the methods of the observation protocol. The Coastal Biophysical Inventory (CBI) and Mapping Protocol is the methodology to collect and store repeatable observations of the intertidal zone to create a baseline of information useful for resource management and potentially assist damage assessment in the event of an oil spill. The inventory contributes to the knowledge needed for the conservation of coastal resources managed in the public’s trust. The Coastal Biophysical Inventory Database is a Microsoft Access 2003 format relational database with a customized data entry interface programmed in Microsoft Access Visual Basic for Applications. The interface facilitates the entry, storage and relation of substrate, biology, photographs, and other field observations. Data can be browsed or queried using query tools common to the Microsoft Access software or using custom spatial query tools built into the interface with ESRI MapObjects LT 2.0 ActiveX COM objects. The Coastal Biophysical Inventory’s GIS data set is useful for collecting, analyzing and reporting field observations about the intertidal zone. The GIS data set is linked to the observation data set through a unique number, the Segment ID, by using the relate tools found in ArcGIS (9.2-10). The Segment ID is a non-repeating number that references a section of coastline that is delineated by the type and form of the substrate observed. The Segment ID allows connection to the biological observations and other observation records such as photos or the original data sheets. Through ArcGIS connections to the observation database using the Segment ID, summaries of biodiversity or habitat can be made by location. The Coastal Biophysical Inventory has completed its initial goals to assess the coastline of two National Parks. The data set collected provides a snapshot of information and the database allows for future observations to be recorded. It provides coastal resource managers a broad insight and orientation to the intertidal resources managed by the National Park Service

Developing a spatial data infrastructure for Rwanda : case study of land administration sector.

Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.Governments all over the world are being challenged to develop Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), to improve the access and use of spatial data for decision support and sustainable development. Therefore, SDI is part of the basic infrastructure that needs to be efficiently implemented and managed in the interest of any nation. The aim of this study, therefore, is to assess the feasibility of SDI implementation in Rwanda, using the Land administration geospatial data sector as a case study, given time constraints of the research. To achieve this, the concept of SDI is firstly explained in order to provide a common understanding of the concept. The new trends in the new Land Administration System of Rwanda, with emphasis on spatial data management are also presented. This information is generated from various written materials. Field work was also conducted by means of questionnaires, interviews and observation in attempt to assess Land Administration geospatial data, related assets and gaps with reference to SDI framework requirements. A situational analysis is carried out from the field work results. The research sets the scene providing the major findings. The main spatial data providers are public and based on national level. Land use and cadastral related spatial data are the least developed, and Land Administration application data are quiet non-existent. Various users, mainly decision makers, exist but lack effective access to data. A number of challenges, such as a high duplication of data collection and maintenance, lack of appropriate ways of data sharing, a shortage of human resources in Geo-information, absence of policies and regulations, are also found in the Land Administration spatial data sector. Nevertheless, the new Land Administration System orientations and national priorities in terms of information technology, offer a favourable environment for the implementation of SDI. Having considered this, the research proceeds to propose a Land Administration SDI prototype with its main application of Spatial Data discovery Facility, and then highlights its benefits. The research ends with a conclusion and recommendations for future research

The Analysis of Open Source Software and Data for Establishment of GIS Services Throughout the Network in a Mapping Organization at National or International Level

Federal agencies and their partners collect and manage large amounts of geospatial data but it is often not easily found when needed, and sometimes data is collected or purchased multiple times. In short, the best government data is not always organized and managed efficiently to support decision making in a timely and cost effective manner. National mapping agencies, various Departments responsible for collection of different types of Geospatial data and their authorities cannot, for very long, continue to operate, as they did a few years ago like people living in an island. Leaders need to look at what is now possible that was not possible before, considering capabilities such as cloud computing, crowd sourced data collection, available Open source remotely sensed data and multi source information vital in decision-making as well as new Web-accessible services that provide, sometimes at no cost. Many of these services previously could be obtained only from local GIS experts. These authorities need to consider the available solution and gather information about new capabilities, reconsider agency missions and goals, review and revise policies, make budget and human resource for decisions, and evaluate new products, cloud services, and cloud service providers. To do so, we need, choosing the right tools to rich the above-mentioned goals. As we know, Data collection is the most cost effective part of the mapping and establishment of a Geographic Information system. However, it is not only because of the cost for the data collection task but also because of the damages caused by the delay and the time that takes to provide the user with proper information necessary for making decision from the field up to the user’s hand. In fact, the time consumption of a project for data collection, processing, and presentation of geospatial information has more effect on the cost of a bigger project such as disaster management, construction, city planning, environment, etc. Of course, with such a pre-assumption that we provide all the necessary information from the existing sources directed to user’s computer. The best description for a good GIS project optimization or improvement is finding a methodology to reduce the time and cost, and increase data and service quality (meaning; Accuracy, updateness, completeness, consistency, suitability, information content, integrity, integration capability, and fitness for use as well as user’s specific needs and conditions that must be addressed with a special attention). Every one of the above-mentioned issues must be addressed individually and at the same time, the whole solution must be provided in a global manner considering all the criteria. In this thesis at first, we will discuss about the problem we are facing and what is needed to be done as establishment of National Spatial Data Infra-Structure (NSDI), the definition and related components. Then after, we will be looking for available Open Source Software solutions to cover the whole process to manage; Data collection, Data base management system, data processing and finally data services and presentation. The first distinction among Software is whether they are, Open source and free or commercial and proprietary. It is important to note that in order to make distinction among softwares it is necessary to define a clear specification for this categorization. It is somehow very difficult to distinguish what software belongs to which class from legal point of view and therefore, makes it necessary to clarify what is meant by various terms. With reference to this concept there are 2 global distinctions then, inside each group, we distinguish another classification regarding their functionalities and applications they are made for in GIScience. According to the outcome of the second chapter, which is the technical process for selection of suitable and reliable software according to the characteristics of the users need and required components, we will come to next chapter. In chapter 3, we elaborate in to the details of the GeoNode software as our best candidate tools to take responsibilities of those issues stated before. In Chapter 4, we will discuss the existing Open Source Data globally available with the predefined data quality criteria (Such as theme, data content, scale, licensing, and coverage) according to the metadata statement inside the datasets by mean of bibliographic review, technical documentation and web search engines. We will discuss in chapter 5 further data quality concepts and consequently define sets of protocol for evaluation of all datasets according to the tasks that a mapping organization in general, needed to be responsible to the probable users in different disciplines such as; Reconnaissance, City Planning, Topographic mapping, Transportation, Environment control, disaster management and etc… In Chapter 6, all the data quality assessment and protocols will be implemented into the pre-filtered, proposed datasets. In the final scores and ranking result, each datasets will have a value corresponding to their quality according to the sets of rules that are defined in previous chapter. In last steps, there will be a vector of weight that is derived from the questions that has to be answered by user with reference to the project in hand in order to finalize the most appropriate selection of Free and Open Source Data. This Data quality preference has to be defined by identifying a set of weight vector, and then they have to be applied to the quality matrix in order to get a final quality scores and ranking. At the end of this chapter there will be a section presenting data sets utilization in various projects such as “ Early Impact Analysis” as well as “Extreme Rainfall Detection System (ERDS)- version 2” performed by ITHACA. Finally, in conclusion, the important criteria, as well as future trend in GIS software are discussed and at the end recommendations will be presented

Oceanographic Considerations for the Management and Protection of Surfing Breaks

Although the physical characteristics of surfing breaks are well described in the literature, there is little specific research on surfing and coastal management. Such research is required because coastal engineering has had significant impacts to surfing breaks, both positive and negative. Strategic planning and environmental impact assessment methods, a central tenet of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), are recommended by this thesis to maximise surfing amenities. The research reported here identifies key oceanographic considerations required for ICZM around surfing breaks including: surfing wave parameters; surfing break components; relationship between surfer skill, surfing manoeuvre type and wave parameters; wind effects on waves; currents; geomorphic surfing break categorisation; beach-state and morphology; and offshore wave transformations. Key coastal activities that can have impacts to surfing breaks are identified. Environmental data types to consider during coastal studies around surfing breaks are presented and geographic information systems (GIS) are used to manage and interpret such information. To monitor surfing breaks, a shallow water multibeam echo sounding system was utilised and a RTK GPS water level correction and hydrographic GIS methodology developed. Including surfing in coastal management requires coastal engineering solutions that incorporate surfing. As an example, the efficacy of the artificial surfing reef (ASR) at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, was evaluated. GIS, multibeam echo soundings, oceanographic measurements, photography, and wave modelling were all applied to monitor sea floor morphology around the reef. Results showed that the beach-state has more cellular circulation since the reef was installed, and a groin effect on the offshore bar was caused by the structure within the monitoring period, trapping sediment updrift and eroding sediment downdrift. No identifiable shoreline salient was observed. Landward of the reef, a scour hole ~3 times the surface area of the reef has formed. The current literature on ASRs has primarily focused on reef shape and its role in creating surfing waves. However, this study suggests that impacts to the offshore bar, beach-state, scour hole and surf zone hydrodynamics should all be included in future surfing reef designs. More real world reef studies, including ongoing monitoring of existing surfing reefs are required to validate theoretical concepts in the published literature

Report of the Working Group on Marine Habitat Mapping (WGMHM) [5-8 April, Bremerhaven, Germany]

Contributor: Pål Mortense

Cartography in Croatia 2007–2011 National Report to the ICA 15th General Assembly, Paris, 2011

<p>Croatia has been a member of the International Cartographic Association – ICA since 1995 and one of its obligations has been to submit national reports about its cartographic activities at general assemblies held everyfour years. The bearer of those activities in Croatia is the Croatian Cartographic Society. The State Geodetic Administration recognized the value and importance of those activities and has been financially supporting the work on national report for several years.</p