Geographic Information Technologies and the History of a Shoreline: The Case of Chapter 91 in New Bedford,Massachusetts

Abstract

This article discusses the use of geographic information technologies to assist researchers in the exploration of historical databases. The case study is a pilot project in which we used geographic information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS) to study the history of the Public Waterfront Act (the “Chapter 91” program), a policy designed to balance private property rights, public interest, and environmental protection in the Massachusetts tidelands. The issues discussed range from the role of GIS in society and its limitations as a representational tool to the ability of current GIS to deal with historical data and to manage temporal attributes.

     

地理信息系统学科中几个基本问题探讨

地理信息科学(GISci)尚不成熟,但中国地理信息系统(GIS)高等教育发展快速,因此GIS学科发展面临许多问题和挑战。尝试从哲学本体论、认识论和方法论角度探讨GIS学科中的几个基本问题:现实世界、概念世界、数字世界、空间认知、空间表达、空间分析与研究方法,同时从社会实践角度总结了GIS应用中的组织、管理与社会问题。1)系统总结地理空间、空间认知与信息表达的关系以及地理信息的基本特征;2)回顾GIS的概念与内涵演变,论证GIS概念的多样性与同一性,分析了几个代表性的GIS研究方向;3)在回顾地理学研究范式转变的基础上,探讨空间分析、知识产生过程以及基于GIS的地理学研究范式;4)辨析GIS与组织管理间的关系、GIS与社会间的互动关系,特别强调发展中国家GIS应用面临的问题。建议围绕“空间认知与表达”、“GIS方法论”、“GIS、组织与社会”进行跨学科研究,完善GIS学科体系。     

我国地理信息产业的发展现状及思考

文章讨论了地理信息和地理信息产业的涵义,以及发展我国地理信息产业的重要性,对我国地理信息产业的现状进行了思考与分析,并提出了建议。认为我国地理信息产业面临机遇与挑战,通过扶持国产GIS软件,制定空间数据标准和交换格式标准,扩大地理信息技术服务的应用领域,珍惜人才,重视教育,我国的地理信息产业将有很大的发展空间。     

GIS应用中认知阶层性对地理信息有效传输的影响

GIS应用的最终目的是使其所包含的地理信息有效传递。该文从信息科学、认知科学及地理信息科学角度出发,指出认知空间和地理空间的阶层对应性是实现地理信息有效传递的基础;提出两类空间重叠区的概念,并阐明其在信息有效传递过程中的重要作用;确立认知科学在GIS应用中的两个基本原则是建立这种对应性的理论依据;强调信息制造者(制图者)是构建这种对应性的实施者,而信息接收者(用户)对认知空间分类阶层的正确识别则是构建这种对应性的出发点。     

Affecting Geospatial Technologies: Toward a Feminist Politics of Emotion*

Building on earlier contributions to feminist understanding of geospatial technologies (GT), I seek to further develop feminist perspectives on GT along new directions. I argue that an attention to the importance of affect (feelings and emotions) and the performative nature of GT practices offers a distinctive critical edge to feminist work on GT. I emphasize the need for GT practitioners to contest the dominant meanings and uses of GT, and to participate in struggles against the oppressive or violent effects of these technologies. I argue that only when emotions, feelings, values, and ethics become an integral part of our geospatial practices can we hope that the use of GT will lead to a less violent and more just world.     

从Google Maps看我国全球化地理信息服务面临的挑战和对策

以Google Maps为代表的地图服务的推出预示着全球化地理信息服务的开始。IT领域竞争市场的形成、高分辨率卫星影像的应用及Web地理信息服务开发平台的实现是全球化地理信息服务的主要趋势。面对全球化地理信息服务发展机遇,我国面临地理数据库建设、地理信息市场社会化与地理信息区域均衡发展的严峻挑战。在分析我国地理信息服务面临挑战的基础上,从数字化建设、地理信息服务市场培育、卫星遥感技术商业化发展3方面提出我国地理信息服务发展的对策与建议。     

信息时代的企业区位研究

信息化对传统经济地理学的许多理论和概念提出了新的挑战.其中,尤其值得关注的是信息化对传统区位理论提出的挑战以及赋予其的新活力.本文首先分析信息技术广泛应用对企业区位因子的影响,然后深入探讨信息技术对企业区位产生影响的机制,最后通过美特斯邦威案例进行验证.研究表明,信息化逐渐成为企业区位选择的核心因素之一;同时,信息化也对其他区位因子产生重要影响,主要表现为促进传统物质区位因子的弱化以及带来新区位因子作用的不断突显.在信息技术驱动的企业区位再选择的过程中,“时间成本”是决定新区位的核心机制.     

Reflections and speculations on the progress in Geographic Information Systems (GIS): a geographic perspective

Great strides have been made in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) research over the past half-century. However, this progress has created both opportunities and challenges. From a geographic perspective, certain challenges remain, including the modelling of geographic-featured environments with GIS data model, the enhancement of GIS’s analysis functions for comprehensive geographic analysis and achieving human-oriented geographic information presentation. Several basic theoretical and technical ideas that follow the workflow and processes of geographic information induction, geographic scenario modelling, geographic process analysis and geographic environment representation are proposed to fill the gaps between GIS and geography. We also call for designing methods for big geographic data-oriented analysis, making best use of videos and developing virtual geographic scenario-based GIS for further evolution.     

Bridging High School and Introductory Undergraduate Courses in Geographic Information Science and Technology

This article presents the findings of a study to determine the degree of consistency in what is taught and learned in high school and college-level introductory courses in geographic information science and technology (GIS&T). A content analysis identified sixteen topics that are generally representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities developed in introductory undergraduate courses. The findings were used to propose a standard college-level survey course in GIS&T that could inform future efforts to introduce more academically rigorous GIS&T coursework in high schools, such as through the Advanced Placement Program.     

分形理论在地理信息科学研究中的应用

该文简介分形理论 ,并讨论分形理论在地理信息科学研究中的价值和地位。针对地理信息科学发展的趋势 ,结合相应的实例 ,提出分形理论在地理信息科学中的地理数据挖掘和空间决策支持、空间数据压缩和传递、制图概括、虚拟现实等方面目前的主要研究进展和方向。     

对地理信息分类编码的认识与思考

面向GIS的地理信息分类编码是在概念水平上解决空间信息分层组织与属性数据库结构设计的重要方法。该文从地理实体、地理数据与地理信息概念角度 ,探讨地理信息分类编码对象的本质特征 ;简要分析大多数商品化GIS软件中属性数据的表达方式 ,指出地理信息分类编码实质上是从GIS数据组织的概念层次上对属性信息的分类分级 ;提出地理信息分类粒度概念 ,并建立地理信息分类模型 ,列举了在不同视图下的粗粒地理信息分类方案和代码用途 ;提出并讨论地理信息分类编码尚待进一步研究的问题 ,以及国内长期以来难以形成地理信息分类标准的原因。     

Assessing the Accuracy of The Map of the Prefectural Capital of 1261 Using Geographic Information Systems

This paper explores the application of geographic information systems (GIS) in the evaluation of the accuracy of early maps through a case study of The Map of the Prefectural Capital of 1261. The evaluation of the accuracy of early maps is an important aspect of the study of the history of cartography, but no standard methodology has been generally accepted. The purpose of this paper is to assess the positional accuracy and the relative relations of the spatial objects on The Map of the Prefectural Capital using GIS. The procedure of the study includes identification of locations of the points and features of The Map of the Prefectural Capital on a modern base map, digitization of the early map and the modern base map, overlays of the digitized early map and modern base map, and an analysis of the absolute and relative distortion of the early map. The results of the analysis show that The Map of the Prefectural Capital of 1261 is reasonably accurate considering the technical ability of the thirteenth century, although it contains a considerable amount of positional displacement. In contrast to the amount of positional displacement, the relative relations among the objects are depicted much more precisely.     

Exploring spatial relationships between stream channel features,water depths and flow velocities during flash floods using HEC-GeoRAS and Geographic Information Systems

Journal of Geographical Sciences - Water depths and flow velocities decisively influence the damage caused by flash floods. Geographic Information System (GIS) is a powerful and useful tool,...     

A Local Example of Land‐Use Change: Southern Illinois—1807, 1938, and 1993*

This article provides an analysis of a wetland site in southern Illinois from presettlement to the present. The study area is part of the Cache River‐Cypress Creek Wetland, which has international importance, as recognized by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Land‐cover data for 1807, 1938, and 1993 were created and analyzed with a geographic information system (GIS). Land‐use change by topographic setting (uplands, transitional, and bottomlands) and soil productivity was quantified and studied. Interviews with local experts informed this analysis. Results illustrate the complexity of environmental change and its driving forces. First, notable forest and swamp acreage was converted to cropland between 1807 and 1938 and, to a lesser degree, from 1938 to 1993. Second, there were land‐use variations by topographic region. Between 1807 and 1938, the largest transformation occurred in the uplands, with substantial acreage converted from forest to cropland. Between 1938 and 1993, however, agriculture decreased in the upland areas as hilly areas reverted to forest cover. At the same time, agriculture expanded in the bottomlands as this land was drained for farming. Third, there are interesting patterns within these categories of land‐use change, as soil productivity is an indicator of what lands were taken out of cropland and converted back to grassland and forest.     

遥感与地理信息系统技术在洪湖市湿地钉螺分布研究中的应用

血吸虫(Schistosoma)是一种寄生虫,可以寄生在人体或动物体内,主要依靠钉螺(Oncomelania hupensis)繁殖.遥感技术作为一种监测手段,辅助地理信息系统空间分析,可以有效地对钉螺分布区进行监测和数据提取.运用阈值提取和空间分析的方法,对2001年洪湖市钉螺栖息地的分布情况进行了分析和研究.在归一化植被指数为0.2～0.3和穗帽湿度指数为7～13的阈值下,提取出可疑钉螺栖息地分布的数据,根据实际钉螺分布图对其进行精度评价,其正确率达到86.20%.82.77%的可疑钉螺栖息地分布在沟渠之中,这说明沟渠具有适合钉螺生长的最佳环境条件.遥感与地理信息系统技术相结合的研究方法对洪湖市钉螺分布监测具有可行性,可以作为血吸虫防治工作的新方法.     

Reflecting on Role Play in Geographic Education: The Case of the Banana War

Abstract

Debates over the nature and extent of globalization raise many issues to be addressed in a geographic education. In this paper, I briefly review case method instruction and role-play as teaching strategies suitable for material on globalization and other geographic subject matter, and then sketch an overview of an undergraduate geography role-play that treats themes of globalization and agricultural trade. The role-play revolves around a real-world trade dispute, referred to as the Banana War, that was waged between the United States and the European Union during much of the 1990s over who could sell how many bananas to Europe. I conclude the paper by reflecting on the contributions of, limitations to and possibilities for case method instruction and role-play in geographic education.     

Evaluating the Accuracy and Effectiveness of Criminal Geographic Profiling Methods: The Case of Dandora,Kenya

Criminal geographic profiling (CGP) prioritizes offender search, extensively reducing the resources expended in criminal investigations. The utility of CGP has, however, remained unclear when variations in environmental characteristics and offense type are introduced. This study evaluates several CGP strategies with data from Dandora, a small but densely populated suburb of Nairobi, Kenya. The research employs error distance and search-cost measures to determine CGP accuracy. Characterized by much shorter journeys to crime than those observed in Western cities, this study discovers significant applicability of CGP strategies in prioritizing offender searches. The negative exponential CGP strategy is identified to generate the most accurate geo-profiles.     

沟域经济的地域类型识别研究——以北京市门头沟区为例

以村庄为基本单元,结合实地调研和村庄级统计材料,收集门头沟区18条典型沟域的沟域经济发展数据。在对其沟域经济类型区进行研究的基础上,对地域类型进行了划分,并探讨了不同地域类型下的沟域经济空间结构。根据熵权一层次模型,结合实地调研数据、专家意见及村庄级资料,研究得出沟域平均海拔、区位条件等是沟域经济地域类型划分的主导要素...     

多维植被信息系统及其应用前景

3S(地理信息系统GIS、遥感RS、全球定位系统GPS)及其相关技术的发展，使得植被信息系统的构建和应用成为可能。早期的植被图没有涉及到高度维和时间维，其应用受到很大的限制。因此有必要建立一种基于时空的多维植被信息系统，它的组成包括地理信息系统GIS、数据处理模块DPM、数据存取模块DAM、植被分析模块VAM和交互显示模块IDM，可用于植被的时空分析、三维景观显示、植被—地形—气候关系研究以及植被综合管理等方面，特别适合于山地植被的研究。多维植被信息系统具备立体直观的用户友好界面和强大的时空数据处理能力，并可通过数据库和网络进行资源共享，使植被研究和管理自动化、无纸化，其应用前景广阔。