JAMGIS,the first Jamaican Government comprehensive multi-data geographical information system Achievements and problems

Abstract

JAMGIS, the first comprehensive multi-data geographical information system (GIS) in Jamaica, has been developed by the Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with USAID and two universities in the U.S.A. The system and its database are described and a number of problems encountered in its development and practical application are discussed. The most valuable products to date have been the delineation of areas of crop suitability, two series of twelve land use/cover maps at 1:50000 scale and statistical analyses of soil and land resources.     

Lesson Plans in Geography

Abstract

This article advocates that geography teachers undertake field studies of human systems with their students. A field trip process is described that helps teachers to guide students to explore and analyze a real human system with the expressed goal of building skills that can transfer to and complement a wide range of geographic learning tasks identified in Geography for Life: National Geography Standards 1994. Students are taken to a human system, such as a supermarket or a hotel. In groups, students interview as well as tour with a representative of a key department of the human system. Using teacher-supplied materials, groups create models or visual schematics of the whole human system they studied. The model must show the complex as a collection of interdependent elements with distinct functions. The learning outcomes achieved by students are a collection of geographic skills ideal for transfer to subsequent geographic investigations of urban places and or regions.     

Environmental decision support system project: an exploration of alternative architectures for geographical information systems

Abstract

Recent changes in information technology offer the opportunity to explore alternative architectures for geographical information systems (GIS) which might better support advanced applications. This paper describes the architecture and implementation of the environmental decision support system (EDSS), a prototype GIS tool kit. The architecture is based on a simple yet powerful systems model using only data collections, views and operations as the basic entity types. The design of the user interface, data management and data analysis within the model are outlined, with particular emphasis on the advanced facilities for which implementation is simplified by the architecture. A prototype applications system, BANKSIA, is also described.     

Algebraic approach to spatial reasoning

Abstract

A simple, exemplary system is described that performs reasoning about the spatial relationships between members of a set of spatial objects. The main problem of interest is to make sound and complete inferences about the set of all spatial relationships that hold between the objects, given prior information about a subset of the relationships. The spatial inferences are formalized within the framework of relation algebra and procedurally implemented in terms of constraint satisfaction procedures. Although the approach is general, the particular example employs a new ‘complete’ set of topological relationships that have been published elsewhere. In particular, a relation algebra for these topological relations is developed and a computational implementation of this algebra is described. Systems with such reasoning capabilities have many applications in geographical analysis and could be usefully incorporated into geographical information systems and related systems.     

Bibliography on spatiotemporal databases

Abstract

There now exist several microcomputer processing systems which incorporate algorithms and display techniques appropriate for the class of objects known as images. Zooming, histogram equalization, contrast stretching, ratioing, edge enhancement, and filtering are common options used in these systems. In the present discussion a system is proposed for the equivalent processing of general resolution elements (resells), instead of the homogeneous picture elements (pixels) which are found in image processing systems. The resel processing system requires a new, generalized, repertoire of processing algorithms and a high resolution display. A summary is provided of the facilities and procedures required, a computational metaphor using computer spreadsheets is described, and the applicability to censels (census data elements) and to medical data is suggested.     

HyperArc: a task-oriented hypertext GIS interface

Abstract

The rationale, development and -implementation of a task-oriented hypertext GIS interface (HyperArc) are described. HyperArc is a fully functional interface on an Apple Macintosh computer acting as a client to a host computer running the ARC/INFO GIS. The package has been developed using the HyperCard package, and makes full use of the Apple Macintosh WIMP interface, enabling the user to perform a range of standard ARC/INFO tasks, including a variety of map displays and data queries. The key advantage of this kind of interface is that it permits the creation of tasks or sets of spatial procedures which can be easily customised and executed by the end user without any knowledge of the system command language.     

脑靶向紫杉醇纳米胶束的体外实验研究

目的 研发一种新型的治疗乳腺癌脑转移的靶向递药系统。方法 采用薄膜水化法制备载药胶束,将胶束与脑靶向分子Angiopep-2连接,使胶束具有脑靶向功能。结果 体外细胞实验证实该胶束具有良好的靶向性。结论 连接有靶向分子Angiopep-2的纳米胶束具有良好的脑靶向功能。     

Use of an expert system to map forest soils from a geographical information system

Abstract

Mapping forest soils using conventional methods is time consuming and expensive. An expert system is described and applied to the mapping of five forest soil-landscape units formed on a single granitoid parent material. Three thematic maps were considered important in influencing the distribution of soils. The first showed the distribution of nine classes of native eucalypt forests, and the second and third were derived from a digital elevation model and represented slope gradient and a soil wetness index combined with topographical position. These layers were input to a raster based geographical information system (GIS) and then geometrically co-registered to a regular 30 m grid. From a knowledge of soil distributions, the relationships between the soil-landscape units and the three data layers were quantified by an experienced soil scientist and used as rules in a rule based expert system. The thematic layers accessed from the GIS provided data for the expert system to infer the forest soil-landscape unit most likely to occur at any given pixel. The soil-landscape map output by the expert system compared favourably with a conventional soil-landscape map generated using interpretation of aerial photographs.     

Structuring image data within a multi-media information system

Abstract

This paper describes a generic structure model for large numbers of spatially-related images held within a multi-media information system. Applications vary from multi-scale map tilings underlying geographical information system user interfaces to sets of spatially-related visual data held in image form, such as ‘structured walks’ and sets of views with finder maps. The model enables an abstract structure to be soft-configured onto any indexed collection of images and related to standard databases of textual and graphical information at various levels. This is achieved by defining a number of customized ‘image structures’ and providing techniques for their manipulation. Key features of the model are defined in VDM-SL, a formal specification language being standardized by the International Organization for Standardization. The formal definitions are accompanied by explanations in English and by examples. Prototype implementations are described. A glossary of symbols, terms and expressions is given in the Appendix.     

Teachers as Learners Examine Land-Use Change in the Local Environment Using Remote Sensing Imagery

Abstract

In environmental science education, learners are exposed to earth phenomena that occur across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. However, it is challenging for learners to grasp the significance of spatial and temporal change because they have limited perspectives of the Earth. Within the scientific community, remotely sensed imagery is used for observing the Earth as a system. These same tools can be applied at all levels in environmental science education to help learners understand and visualize earth change. In this article, the experiences of teachers as learners are described as they conducted a temporal analysis of a local wetland using aerial photography in an inquiry-based activity.     

DISTORTIONS IN PRESETTLEMENT LAND EVALUATION: THE CASE OF SWAN RIVER,WESTERN AUSTRALIA∗

The United States Department of Energy is required by law to plan, acquire, store, and maintain a Strategic Petroleum Reserve of crude oil and petroleum products. This is to be used if there is an interruption in crude oil supply. The plan is described and then analyzed with a linear programming model. The results show that the plan is generally well formulated.     

From Geographic Holism to Geographic Information System

Substantial changes in a core idea of geography, integration, have occurred since Alexander von Humboldt published Kosmos (1845-1862). These changes are part of a larger shift in Western civilization to mechanistic reasoning. This shift led to the strengthening of system-based analysis, central to the development of geographic information systems (GIS). The duality of holism and the systems approach has led to an apparent contradiction in geography. R. Hartshorne in The Nature of Geography described this contradiction, but as did Alfred Hettner and Emil Wisotzki before, moved to partial systems as the core concept of geographic integration. Hartshorne's concept of vertical integration is the antecedent for the ubiquitous GIS layer model. The reduction of geographic relationships and processes to mechanistic components (layers) aids the systematic approach, but may lessen geographic understanding of a place's interrelationships. Although the partiality of the system approach was already acknowledged by Finch and Hartshorne in the 1930s, the tension between holistic and system approaches in geography remains. Holism and system-based approaches are indeed complementary methods for developing geographic understanding. Using holistic approaches to understand geographic phenomena, before we teleologically (following a purpose) analyze phenomena as a system, extends GIS to include broader interrelationships of geography in specific locations.     

AUTOMATED ISOCHRONES AND THE LOCATIONS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN CITIES

A method is described for the automatic calculation and graphical reproduction of isochrones around emergency medical centers in large cities. The isochrones are set for different time standards and for varying traffic conditions. The technique is based on the concept of a velocity field. It permits a rapid evaluation of coverage standards under different operating conditions.     

VIEWS OF THE AAG: RESULTS OF THE LONG RANGE PLANNING MEMBERSHIP SURVEY

In this issue THE PROFESSIONAL GEOGRAPHER presents the first two reports in a series on the Association's long-range planning process, which was described by Past President Marcus in May. David Morgan outlines here the results of a survey of members' attitudes on a number of important questions.     

INVOLUNTARY POPULATION MOVEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

The box-and-whisker diagram, described here, is a simple but effective device for portraying frequency distributions clearly, accurately, and fully. It is a useful means for providing legends and category divisions for choropleth maps, being capable of handling skewed distributions without suppressing the skewness. Maps are used to illustrate the utility of the method for examining different types of distributions and for making map comparisons to discover relationships among variables.     

A CO-ORDINATE SYSTEM FOR STUDYING INTERACTIONS IN THE PRIMARY CHRISTALLER LATTICE∗

The co-ordinate system (x, y) for the triangular Christaller lattice is generalized by the addition of a third, dependent, z-axis. The extended system yields the lattice distances between lattice points, whereas the original system yields only the plane Euclidean distance.     

SIRO-DBMS SIRO-DBMS: a database tool-kit for geographical information systems

Abstract

Progress in technical database management systems offers alternative strategies for the design and implementation of databases for geographical information systems. Desirable extensions in the user data types and database management are reviewed. A prototype geographical database tool-kit, SIRO-DBMS, which provides some spatial data types and spatial access methods as external attachments to a kernel relational database management system, is described. An ability to fragment a large set of entities into several relations while retaining the ability to search the full set as a logical unit is provided. Implementation of the geometric data types is based on mapping the types of data into a set of attributes of the atomic types supported by the kernel and specifying the relational designs for the set of atomic attributes.     

Migration as Spatial Interaction

Abstract

The migration process is presented through the use of a movement model. The model described is a heuristic device that can be used by (1) teachers to point out the salient factors involved in migration, or (2) by researchers as a guide to theory formulation. The behavioral aspects of the decision to migrate are discussed in a spatial interaction framework. Numerous research efforts are put in a logical geographical structure for classroom presentation.     

Research related to geographical information systems at the Natural Environment Research Council's Unit for Thematic Information Systems

Abstract

The wide variety of research into aspects of geographical information systems (GIS) undertaken at the Natural Environment Research Council's Unit for Thematic Information Systems is described. This includes work on spatial data models, on the application of artificial intelligence to improve the quality of input of remotely-sensed data, on automation of map cataloguing, on improving display and on GIS modelling.     

A geographical information system for some Mediterranean benthic communities

Abstract

This paper describes a regional geographical information system (GIS) for some Mediterranean benthic communities. The area covered by the GIS lies between the cities of La Ciotat and Giens in southeast France. The distinctive characteristics of this GIS compared with others usually described in the literature, are that all its layers describe the same theme but as seen at different moments with different scales and techniques used by different oceanographers. A method was devised to synthesize, on a pixel basis, the content of all these layers. Each pixel within each layer is weighted with a function relating to the year of survey, the sampling technique and the scale of the original map corresponding to that layer. The synthesis map is composed of the highest weighted values found in the set of layers. Also at each pixel, conflicts between the contents of layers are quantified and mapped.