Analyzing library collections with starfield visualizations

This paper presents a qualitative and formative study of the uses of a starfield-based visualization interface for analysis of library collections. The evaluation process has produced feedback that suggests ways to significantly improve starfield interfaces and the interaction process to improve their learnability and usability. The study also gave us clear indication of additional potential uses of starfield visualizations that can be exploited by further functionality and interface development. We report on resulting implications for the design and use of starfield visualizations that will impact their graphical interface features, their use for managing data quality and their potential for various forms of visual data mining. Although the current implementation and analysis focuses on the collection of a physical library, the most important contributions of our work will be in digital libraries, in which volume, complexity and dynamism of collections are increasing dramatically and tools are needed for visualization and analysis

Late-Holocene environments reconstructed from peatlands: linking geochemistry and palynology

The principal aim of the PhD work presented here is to explore how geochemistry and palynological approaches on peatlands, particularly when considered together, can help in the understanding of Holocene (the last ~11600 years) environmental changes. To achieve this general aim, different types of peatlands (ombrotrophic and minerothrophic), environments (boreal and temperate zones) and Holocene chronological intervals (although with special attention to the Late Holocene) have been studied. The focus has been on gaining insights into how different environmental stressors –such as climate and human activities– influenced past environments. In particular, the following processes have been addressed: 1) natural- and human-induced soil erosion and its relation with forest evolution and hydrological changes on wetlands; 2) changes in past climate and its relation with peat organic matter decomposition, vegetation and other aspects of the environment, including human activity, and paying special attention to the Little Ice Age period, and 3) trends in past atmospheric metal pollution and its possible link with changes in the tree cover. Within geochemistry, both physical (loss on ignition and density of the peat) and chemical (elemental composition, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios, lead isotope ratios, peat humification and infrared spectroscopy) analyses were applied, whereas within palynology both pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs were considered. Because the inherent complexity in the functioning of natural systems is behind the interaction among different compartments of ecosystems (i.e., biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere), the combined use of geochemistry and palynology enabled us to obtain a more integrated overview of past environmental changes beyond what would have been possible by any of these disciplines independently. Knowing the past evolution of ecosystems at large enough temporal scales is crucial to understand their dynamic and functioning, hence, this knowledge should be considered when implementing present-day environmental policies

Experiences with starfield visualizations for analysis of library collections

This paper presents a qualitative and formative study of the uses of a starfield-based visualization interface for analysis of library collections. The evaluation process has produced feedback that suggests ways to significantly improve starfield interfaces and the interaction process to improve their learnability and usability. The study also gave us clear indication of additional potential uses of starfield visualizations that can be exploited by further functionality and interface development. We report on resulting implications for the design and use of starfield visualizations that will impact their graphical interface features, their use for managing data quality and their potential for various forms of visual data mining. Although the current implementation and analysis focuses on the collection of a physical library, the most important contributions of our work will be in digital libraries, in which volume, complexity and dynamism of collections are increasing dramatically and tools are needed for visualization and analysis