Probability modelling to reduce decision uncertainty in environmental niche identification and driving factor analysis: CaNaSTA case studies

Hillside agro-ecosystems have a complex spatial and temporal distribution of natural resources. Farmers generally possess a vast body of knowledge about environmental resources on their farms but this knowledge is largely based on locally observable features rather than generalized knowledge. The lack of process-based knowledge concerning agro-ecosystem function creates uncertainty that obstructs sound decision-making under conditions of rising economic and ecologic pressure in many developing countries. Since the past decade, Precision Agriculture provides tools to reduce uncertainty caused by environmental variation. By describing spatial and temporal variation of the environment, Geographic Information Systems help to detect suitable crops for specific environmental niches and support farmers to find optimal management practices for their plot of land. Hence Precision Agriculture helps to raise the economic benefits of farming, ensures consistent product quality and reduces negative environmental impacts caused by inappropriate management practices. A spatial decision support system called CaNaSTA was developed to aid the decision making process of crop adoption in tropical agriculture. Using Bayesian probability statistics, CaNaSTA integrates trial data, spatial data and expert knowledge and provides maps, tables and graphs analyzing and interpreting the probability distributions of spatial phenomena. The International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) has applied CaNaSTA to three case studies related to tropical agriculture. The first case study identifies niches for specialty coffee production, the second analyses the potential of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) for tropical hillside environments in Colombia. Finally, Canasta was applied to a non-crop related area by performing a study of carbon concentration in tropical soils.

Integración de servicios de mapas de Google Maps y ArcGIS for Server en la plataforma web GeoCiudadano

Para generar plataformas integradas con servicios de mapas existen múltiples tecnologías que conllevan ventajas y desventajas en su uso; por lo tanto es necesario realizar análisis preliminares que garanticen la mejor combinación de las mismas. Las especificaciones de este tipo de plataformas no solo deben responder a los criterios técnicos del software o hardware a usar, sino también a los criterios de visualización cartográfica que hacen posible brindar al usuario una adecuada referencia espacial del territorio. El presente artículo expone algunos principios técnicos para la integración de servicios de mapas de Google Maps, con servicios Web geográficos provistos por el servidor propietario ArcGIS for Server, aplicado al caso de estudio de la plataforma Web GeoCiudadano

Press the Button: Online/Offline Mobile Applications in an Agricultural Context . GI_Forum|GI_Forum 2016, Volume 1 – open:spatial:interfaces|

In many developing countries, smartphone and internet usage has become a revolution for the population and has opened up many possibilities to use new services for communication purposes. For researchers and development organizations, it is now possible to engage more directly with beneficiaries during the implementation phase of a project. However, many regions still face the problem of a non-existent or unreliable internet connection, which is why mobile applications have to be able to work offline as well as online. In order to achieve this, the new OGC standard Geopackage was used to create an offline mobile application. Geopackage can be integrated with a native Android mobile application and is especially useful for connecting with different GIS tools, since it is interoperable with various important platforms

Press the button: online/offline mobile applications in an agricultural context

In many developing countries, smartphone and internet usage has become a revolution for the population and has opened up many possibilities to use new services for communication purposes. For researchers and development organizations, it is now possible to engage more directly with beneficiaries during the implementation phase of a project. However, many regions still face the problem of a non-existent or unreliable internet connection, which is why mobile applications have to be able to work offline as well as online. In order to achieve this, the new OGC standard Geopackage was used to create an offline mobile application. Geopackage can be integrated with a native Android mobile application and is especially useful for connecting with different GIS tools, since it is interoperable with various important platforms

The GeoCitizen-approach: community-based spatial planning – an Ecuadorian case study

Over the last years, geospatial web platforms, social media, and volunteered geographic information (VGI) have opened a window of opportunity for traditional Public Participatory GIS (PPGIS) to usher in a new era. Taking advantage of these technological achievements, this paper presents a new approach for a citizen-orientated framework of spatial planning that aims at integrating participatory community work into existing decision-making structures. One major cornerstone of the presented approach is the application of a social geoweb platform (the GeoCitizen platform) that combines geo-web technologies and social media in one single tool allowing citizens to collaboratively report observations, discuss ideas, solve, and monitor problems in their living environment at a local level. This paper gives an account of an ongoing participatory land-zoning process in the Capital District of Quito, Ecuador, where the GeoCitizen platform is applied in a long-term study

Press the Button: Online/Offline Mobile Applications in an Agricultural Context . GI_Forum|GI_Forum 2016, Volume 1 – open:spatial:interfaces|

In many developing countries, smartphone and internet usage has become a revolution for the population and has opened up many possibilities to use new services for communication purposes. For researchers and development organizations, it is now possible to engage more directly with beneficiaries during the implementation phase of a project. However, many regions still face the problem of a non-existent or unreliable internet connection, which is why mobile applications have to be able to work offline as well as online. In order to achieve this, the new OGC standard Geopackage was used to create an offline mobile application. Geopackage can be integrated with a native Android mobile application and is especially useful for connecting with different GIS tools, since it is interoperable with various important platforms

Integración de servicios de mapas de Google Maps y ArcGIS for Server en la plataforma web GeoCiudadano

Para generar plataformas integradas con servicios de mapas existen múltiples tecnologías que conllevan ventajas y desventajas en su uso; por lo tanto es necesario realizar análisis preliminares que garanticen la mejor combinación de las mismas. Las especificaciones de este tipo de plataformas no solo deben responder a los criterios técnicos del software o hardware a usar, sino también a los criterios de visualización cartográfica que hacen posible brindar al usuario una adecuada referencia espacial del territorio. El presente artículo expone algunos principios técnicos para la integración de servicios de mapas de Google Maps, con servicios Web geográficos provistos por el servidor propietario ArcGIS for Server, aplicado al caso de estudio de la plataforma Web GeoCiudadano

HCI-Evaluation of the GeoCitizen-reporting App for citizen participation in spatial planning and community management among members of marginalized communities in Cali, Colombia . GI_Forum|GI_Forum 2016, Volume 1 – open:spatial:interfaces|

Increasingly, geospatial web applications such as www.fixmystreet.com or www.seeclickfix.com are being integrated within citizen participation processes in spatial planning and the provision of communal services. Recently, several of these platforms have been launched in Latin America and other countries of the Global South. This development raises the questions of whether citizens with low ICT-skills can fully access and use these tools, and hence whether they are empowered to participate in related community management processes. The GeoCitizen framework (www.geocitizen.org) has been designed specifically to address citizens who tend to be excluded from established planning processes, providing them with accessible and easy-to-use online tools to make their voice heard through the public space of the internet. This paper describes the set-up and results of a Human Computer Interaction (HCI) Evaluation carried out for the GeoCitizen-reporting application amongst members of marginalized communities in Cali, Colombia. It investigates whether spatially illiterate users with low ICT-skills can access and use this application to its full extent. It analyses the most common usability issues that were identified by the test user group and gives indications as to how geospatial web applications should be designed in order to meet the challenges that come along with its use

HCI-Evaluation of the GeoCitizen-reporting App for citizen participation in spatial planning and community management among members of marginalized communities in Cali, Colombia

Increasingly, geospatial web applications such as www.fixmystreet.com or www.seeclickfix.com are being integrated within citizen participation processes in spatial planning and the provision of communal services. Recently, several of these platforms have been launched in Latin America and other countries of the Global South. This development raises the questions of whether citizens with low ICT-skills can fully access and use these tools, and hence whether they are empowered to participate in related community management processes. The GeoCitizen framework (www.geocitizen.org) has been designed specifically to address citizens who tend to be excluded from established planning processes, providing them with accessible and easy-to-use online tools to make their voice heard through the public space of the internet. This paper describes the set-up and results of a Human Computer Interaction (HCI) Evaluation carried out for the GeoCitizen-reporting application amongst members of marginalized communities in Cali, Colombia. It investigates whether spatially illiterate users with low ICT-skills can access and use this application to its full extent. It analyses the most common usability issues that were identified by the test user group and gives indications as to how geospatial web applications should be designed in order to meet the challenges that come along with its use

HCI-Evaluation of the GeoCitizen-reporting App for citizen participation in spatial planning and community management among members of marginalized communities in Cali, Colombia . GI_Forum|GI_Forum 2016, Volume 1 – open:spatial:interfaces|

Increasingly, geospatial web applications such as www.fixmystreet.com or www.seeclickfix.com are being integrated within citizen participation processes in spatial planning and the provision of communal services. Recently, several of these platforms have been launched in Latin America and other countries of the Global South. This development raises the questions of whether citizens with low ICT-skills can fully access and use these tools, and hence whether they are empowered to participate in related community management processes. The GeoCitizen framework (www.geocitizen.org) has been designed specifically to address citizens who tend to be excluded from established planning processes, providing them with accessible and easy-to-use online tools to make their voice heard through the public space of the internet. This paper describes the set-up and results of a Human Computer Interaction (HCI) Evaluation carried out for the GeoCitizen-reporting application amongst members of marginalized communities in Cali, Colombia. It investigates whether spatially illiterate users with low ICT-skills can access and use this application to its full extent. It analyses the most common usability issues that were identified by the test user group and gives indications as to how geospatial web applications should be designed in order to meet the challenges that come along with its use