International economic institutions: Formal mechanisms for dealing with resource conflict

States employ international economic institutions as formal mechanisms in resource related conflict management. It is little known that states incorporate water resource management treaties in regional trade agreements (REIs) to jointly manage (1) the multifaceted use of rivers and (2) the territorial implications of rivers as borders. Both can lead to political tensions. I evaluate institutional effectiveness, through REI institutional design, in militarized interstate conflict. The role of trade institutions in geo-politics is a broad theme addressed. African dyads, REIs and conflict from 1950 to 1996 are the focus. I test the liberal hypothesis that institutions diminish the likelihood of militarized interstate conflict. Findings suggest allies that share memberships in REI water treaties with provisions for territorial boundary issues are more likely to fight than are other states. This relationship is weak, however, lending support to realist claims.     

Designing a flood forecasting and inundation-mapping system integrated with spatial data infrastructures for Turkey

Turkey currently lacks a fully functional flood forecasting system (FFS). However, the studies necessary for establishing such a system are still being performed by the Turkish State Meteorological Service. The main purpose of this study was to determine the technical architecture of the FFS intended to be developed in Turkey and to design a flood forecasting and inundation-mapping system integrated with spatial data infrastructure (SDI). Because SDIs provide interoperability among the institutions by enabling collective use of data and services, this enables decision makers to take correct and rapid decisions regarding the forecasting. In the design of the system, the Web services architecture presented by the open geospatial consortium that develops international standards for SDI realizations was taken as a basis. Designed with flexibility and an expandable architecture, the system will enable instant access to up-to-date data from different institutions through Web services and meets the requirements of a real-time FFS. While the criteria requiring the expansion of the designed system were explained, its implementation was left for future studies.     

地球空间信息学与对地观测学在灾难管理中的应用研究进展

近年来地球空间信息学(Geomatics)和对地观测学(EOS)的迅速发展, 为灾难管理提供了强有力的支撑技术, 促进了灾难管理效率的提高。在简述地球空间信息学、对地观测学和灾难管理的基础上, 综述了地球空间信息学和对地观测学中多传感技术、高分辨率、多时相的卫星遥感系统的发展不仅满足了灾难管理需求数据的多源性、实时性, 而且提高了遥感影像解译精度和增强了对自然灾害的探测、识别能力; 认为日益完善的空间数据基础设施(SDI)和软件系统功能的增强, 将有利于灾难管理需求数据的可用性、可访问性和数据共享, 加强了灾难管理中海量数据管理、处理、分析和发布能力, 提高了预报和管理决策信息系统的可视化程度, 从而提高灾难管理各个环节的效率和效益。同时, 从技术的角度简述了当前地球空间信息学和对地观测技术在灾难管理应用中的局限性和存在的问题。      

Building a semantic based public transportation geoportal compliant with the INSPIRE transport network data theme

Interoperability is becoming essential for the today’s geographic information systems. Geographic information is usually available as datasets stored in databases and accessible via GIS. However, these information sources are increasingly heterogeneous and show differences in data formats, database schema and object concepts. To satisfy the increased demand for the use and sharing of geographic data in common applications, considering the heterogeneity and the methods to support interoperability are required by the GIS community. The implementation of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) such as the European INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community) enables accessibility and the sharing of geographic data and interoperability among the systems. In addition to this, traditional GIS systems perform spatial queries using a keyword-based method. However, this approach remains incapable of fully expressing the users' needs due to a lack of geographic concepts (semantics) in the dataset. Different terms may refer to similar concepts, while the same terms may refer to different concepts. This causes semantic heterogeneity in the dataset. In this context, the most promising approach is the implementation of geospatial semantics by means of ontology in the geospatial dataset to overcome this kind of ambiguity. The aim of this research is to investigate the implementation of INSPIRE as a SDI standard and the use of Semantic Technology to empower the traditional GIS approach. In this regard, a public transportation geoportal has been developed for the experimental investigation which uses a revised sample transportation data complaint with the INSPIRE Transport Network Data Theme and a developed Transportation Ontology Domain, including concepts, relationships and individuals to provide a semantic spatial search.     

A multi-criteria method for assessment of spatial data infrastructure effectiveness

There is a demand for evaluation of spatial data infrastructures (SDIs), to justify and monitor the relations between investments in SDI initiatives and the results obtained. It is also essential to pay particular attention to identifying user communities, and eliciting their assessment of effects deriving from an SDI. The paper introduces a concept of a multi-criteria method which allows to assess effectiveness of the SDI from the user perspective. The application of the proposed method in the Polish Spatial Data Infrastructure (PSDI) and its main access point to spatial data and services called ‘Geoportal 2’ as well as two groups of the national geoportal”s users (spatial planners and land surveyors) presents its potential. The total scores for the Geoportal 2 indicated the investment has potential and is quite effective, although some components of the PSDI (e.g. main access point, datasets, network services, software, hardware, procedures) may need improvements and additional analyses in the future. The contribution of this paper is the multi-criteria method which enables the analysis of outcomes, benefits (impacts) and business value of using SDI business project’s artifacts (outputs) considering the following dimensions: information and support provided, use process, user organizational performance, strategic alignment and business impact on user enterprise.     

Linking reforestation policies with land use change in northern Vietnam: Why local factors matter

In many countries worldwide, similar state policies on land management have been implemented as a response to deforestation in mountainous areas. So far, few studies have examined to which extent these policies have actually contributed to reforestation. This is the focus of our analysis, based on a case study in Vietnam. Because land access and land use were traditionally governed by common rules, we examine land use changes from an institutional perspective. We use the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, coupled with an historical perspective and the analysis of actors’ perception and dominant narratives on land management and forests. Results show that national policies significantly interfered with local factors, leading to a complex course of decision-making and action. Substantial reforestation in the area was not a response by farmers to policy incentives but rather the unexpected outcome of the disruption of local institutions by these policies. We argue that, because national interventions have relied on false or exaggerated narratives and beliefs, their implementation is in conflict with the local reality in upland areas, leading to unpredictable and locally dependent outcomes. We defend hence the need for local level studies and also recommend considering local institutions for land use change analysis in contexts where land use systems are characterised by a high degree of human interaction.     

Partnership approach to disaster management in Bangladesh: a critical policy assessment

The geographic location of Bangladesh at the confluence of the three mighty river systems of the world renders her one of the most vulnerable places to natural disasters. Human-induced climate change exacerbates the problem. This study shows that the Government of Bangladesh has already established a multi-layered institutional mechanism for disaster management, with formal recognition of the role of various stakeholders. Historically, NGOs and other informal support mechanisms in the country also have made significant contributions during and after disaster recovery. Despite the presence of some strengths, such as long experience in disaster response and recovery, the people’s resilience, and donor support, the current management strategies suffer from a host of policy and institutional weaknesses. Most prominent is the absence of a functioning partnership among the stakeholders within these formal set-ups. What is lacking is the development and embodiment of a culture of collective decision-making in planning, in resource sharing, and in implementing disaster management policies and programs in an integrated and transparent way. The paper suggests a partnership framework to implement prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery phases of disaster management.     

Towards an Open Information Infrastructure for Disaster Research and Management: Data Management and Information Systems Inside DFNK

The development of new and better methods for preventing and managing natural disasters requires a variety of different data sets, covering the range from referenced data, e.g. topographic data and digital elevation models, to various kinds of thematic data, e.g. data about soil, vegetation and land usage as well as monitoring data like precipitation and water levels. So a well-organised data and information management and the implementation of a modern processing environment to acquire, store, analyse and visualise data were decisive for the success of the German Research Network Natural Disasters (DFNK). An information infrastructure was established to support data management and information flows inside the network. A web-based portal offers general information to the public and internal documents, data and software tools to the project community. A catalog service allows the overview of existing but distributed data scombined with flexible data retrieval. Based on internet technology and global standards these concepts contribute to a superior information infrastructure and finally substantiate to the development of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI). SDIs aim is to improve availability and usability of spatial data for the manifold application areas. Disaster management is one field depending on a very high level on high-quality data equipment, and on a working SDI.     

A Grid platform for the European Civil Protection e-Infrastructure: the Forest Fires use scenario

During the full cycle of the emergency management, Civil Protection operative procedures involve many actors belonging to several institutions playing different roles. In this context the sharing of information is a vital requirement to make correct and effective decisions. Therefore a European-wide technological infrastructure providing a distributed and coordinated access to different kinds of resources (data, information, services, expertise, etc.) could enhance existing Civil Protection applications and even enable new ones. In the recent years Grid technologies have reached a mature state providing a platform for secure and coordinated resource sharing between the participants in the so-called Virtual Organizations. Moreover the Earth and Space Sciences Informatics provide the conceptual tools for modelling the geospatial information shared in Civil Protection applications during its entire life cycle. Therefore a European Civil Protection e-infrastructure could be based on a Grid platform enhanced with Earth Sciences specific services. However Civil Protection applications stress the requirements of Earth Sciences research applications, for example in terms of real-time support. Therefore a set of high-level services specifically tailored for such applications must be built on top of the Grid platform. As a result of a requirement analysis, the FP6 project CYCLOPS has proposed an architectural framework for the future European Civil Protection e-Infrastructure. In this architecture a layer of high-level services tailored to Civil Protection applications is built on top of the EGEE Grid middleware. This architectural approach has been tested implementing a prototype of a grid-enabled RISICO, the application for wild fire risk assessment used by the Italian Civil Protection.     

发达国家地质大数据管理现状分析与启示：以美、英、澳、加为例

科学数据是国家重要战略资源,数据共享是这种资源有效开发利用的手段之一,也是当今科学研究范式向数据密集型转变的重要基础。现代信息技术与勘查方法的深度融合,使得地质勘查和地学研究领域被急速推向大数据时代,亟需从宏观层面上进行科学管理。欧美一些国家通过颁布政策方针及铺设数据基础设施等方式,推动着本国地质大数据管理的有效实施。文章对美、英、澳、加四国地质调查局的数据管理工作方面做了调查,从数据管理范围、数据政策、战略计划、重要数据库及主要数据工具等方面现状进行了介绍与分析,并对中国地质调查行业数据管理工作提出了一些建议：（1）数据管理政策应采用自顶向下设计,自底向上实施;（2）数据开放共享、融合交流是世界地调机构的发展趋势;（3）大力推进地质云建设,三位一体实现大数据治理;（4）促进数据共享基础设施建设,通过参与国际治理争取拿到更多的话语权。     

欧盟空间信息基础设施建设(INSPIRE):兼议对中国地学信息化的启示

欧盟空间信息基础设施(INSPIRE)是欧洲空间信息基础设施建设法令。目的是建立欧盟统一的空间信息基础设施,实现有关环境空间信息在统一的框架下全欧盟范围内的共享,便于跨区域的政策决策及应用。通过近7年的实施,INSPIRE完成了欧盟层面的立法和各参与国层面具有法律效力的执行规则,制定了一系列技术规范和技术指南,并在各参与国中执行实施。总结分析欧盟空间信息基础设施(INSPIRE)的目的与意义、组织管理体系、实施方案、空间信息的融合与互操作、统一架构与相关规范等方面的相关经验,提出了对中国地学信息化的几点启示。     

矿产资源潜力评价成果数据信息管理系统设计与实现

全国矿产资源潜力评价（2006-2013）工作历时8年,是建国以来规模最大的矿情调查工作之一,形成了海量（TB级）的成果数据。如何高效的管理该数据集,实现数据的广泛应用,成为数据共享服务的关键和难点。文章以全国矿产潜力评价成果数据为基础,运用GIS技术,分析了地质大数据存储管理、基于元数据的查询检索、空间数据可视化等关键技术,提出了一种针对海量、多源、异构的地质数据的统一管理思路。通过对成果数据的分析整理,构建元数据库作为存储不同类型数据的索引,完成数据的统一集成管理,同时实现数据的快速查询访问;借助强大成熟的Mapgis k9功能模块和开源的NASA World Wind三维数字地球引擎,进行二次开发,搭建适合于矿产资源潜力评价成果数据信息管理系统平台,为矿产资源潜力评价成果数据推广应用提供信息技术支撑,提高潜力评价数据的信息化服务能力。     

防震减灾空间信息资源改造方案设计

本文简要介绍“数字福建”项目中防震减灾空间信息资源改造的设计方案     

Global environmental sustainability: Intragenerational equity and conceptions of justice in multilateral environmental regimes

With specific focus on two environmental regimes (the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and the Climate Change Convention), this paper seeks to indicate the prospects and limitations of the aspirations for distributive justice by the political South within the context of sustainability in general, and the institutions for global environmental governance in particular. It is argued that while these aspirations have produced important normative shifts in the rule-structure of global environmental management, they have not proved momentous enough to generate policies outside of what the prevailing neoliberal socio-economic regime might permit. Hence, although the texts of global environmental agreements accommodate concepts that express egalitarian notions of justice, core policies remain firmly rooted in market-based neoliberal interpretations of justice, which mainly serve to sustain the status quo.     

国际上水资源综合管理进展

中国近年实施最严格水资源管理制度、全面推行河长制等一系列政策,不断探索完善水资源综合管理的体制和机制。为加强对水资源综合管理的认识,推动中国水资源综合管理的实施,结合国际社会对水资源综合管理认识和实践新成果,主要梳理总结水资源综合管理理念的形成过程、主要组成、实施状况、存在问题和发展趋势。结果显示:(1)随着对传统水资源管理存在分散化等问题的认识,水资源综合管理的理念逐渐形成,并已被国际社会所接受;(2)水资源综合管理实施"综合"途径管理水资源,强调通过完善实施的环境条件、机构框架、具体管理手段和稳健的水基础设施投资机制,实现用水效率、社会公平、环境可持续的均衡;(3)许多国家已把综合管理的理念和措施纳入到其水资源管理政策和体制框架设计中,并在水管理的实践过程中取得新进展;(4)国际上水资源综合管理理念和经验为进一步完善中国水资源管理提供了启示和借鉴;(5)未来水资源综合管理将进一步得到推广实施,从理念到解决具体水问题的实践过程将进一步加强,并呈现多样性和动态性特征。尽管面临由于气候变化影响和水与社会经济交互作用导致的不确定性、复杂性等问题的挑战,随着水资源综合管理的实践和水科学研究进步,水资源管理将进一步采用整体、多学科和可持续的途径,助力可持续发展目标的实现。     

Vulnerability assessment for preliminary flood risk mapping and management in coastal areas

Despite continuing technological advancement in hazard and vulnerability assessment, risk modelling and hazard mitigation techniques, losses to disasters associated with natural hazards continue and in some cases are increasing across Europe and worldwide. This paper focuses on the need to bridge the gap between technical solutions and the sociopolitical contexts in which these are produced, to better understand and create more effective risk management regimes. We do so with application of the science–policy co-production frame to landslide risk management in Italy. The methodology deployed included a desk study informed by semi-structured interviews carried out with selected key stakeholders at national, regional and municipal level. We propose a normative and analytical framework for transferring co-production into natural hazard research by presenting a matrix identifying four contexts within which co-production may unfold. The matrix is based on two axes, which distinguish between innovation and its absence in science and policy domains. We examine several examples of co-production, such as the water–soil integrated approach to risk management or the implementation of hazard/risk assessment. The results highlight that the insulation of science from the institutional context within which knowledge is produced and used is a very problematic issue. This often hinders the implementation of desirable policies and undermines the effectiveness of interventions. Moreover, innovation in science and policy does not automatically result in successful solutions for landslide risk management. Finally, results confirm the utility of co-production but also highlight methodological challenges associated with the introduction of this new conceptual paradigm into the well-structured communities of scientists and policy-makers.     

无缝空间数据中心概念模型及其技术体系

随着空间数据中心技术在国土资源等领域地逐渐成熟,开拓出一套具有自身特色的空间数据集成管理与开发利用模式,是一种新型的分布式地理信息系统(geographic information system,GIS)应用模型.然而,空间数据集成与整合利用、增量更新问题以及不同厂家的功能共享与合作开发仍然是亟待解决的问题.在空间数据中心技术的基础上,引入分布式异构空间数据无缝集成技术,建立了数据无缝、功能无缝和应用无缝3个层次的无缝空间数据中心概念模型,并讨论了其技术体系.      

江西省地质灾害和矿山复绿数据库设计

为实现数据的统一集中存储及资料的互通互联,在对江西省地质灾害数据研究现状进行分析的基础上,从数据共享的角度提出建立江西省地质灾害和矿山复绿数据库。论文从数据库的概念设计、逻辑设计和物理设计等方面详细介绍了江西省地质灾害和矿山复绿数据的设计和建设过程。在概念设计阶段对地质灾害的基本E-R图进行设计;逻辑设计中对地质灾害和矿山复绿信息编码、空间数据库的结构和业务数据库逻辑结构进行了详细的讨论;物理结构设计对数据库表结构进行了介绍。最后介绍了部分地质灾害数据的管理功能。     

LusTRE: a framework of linked environmental thesauri for metadata management

The paper illustrates a Linked Thesaurus Framework for the Environment, named LusTRE, to facilitate data sharing across different environmental disciplines. It provides a knowledge infrastructure of multilingual thesauri and code lists, interlinking them so that they can be used as one integrated linked data source. This multilingual thesaurus is published according to the Linked Data Best Practices and supports metadata compilation and data discovery for describing and finding Environmental geodata. A human readable web interface is provided for the exploitation of LusTRE as well as a set of web services for programmatic access to the knowledge infrastructure. LusTRE has been exploited within the European directive INSPIRE and SEIS piloting testbeds implemented within the EU project eENVplus in order to support cross-border and cross-domain data sharing. It is aimed at supporting multilingual data search and query refinement. In order to show how interlinked content can help users to more easily express metadata within Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI), LusTRE web services have been integrated within existing metadata editors and geoportals.     

Developing a Geological Management Information System： National Important Mining Zone Database

INTRODUCTIONGeographic information systems (GIS) is a newtechnology of storing and processing spatial informa-tion , which can combine graphics with many types ofdatabase .It can also exhibit accurate and real spaceinformation with charts and texts according to actualneed ,and canintegrate geographic locations and cor-related data attributes as an organic whole .Geoscien-tists have shown GIS to be a very useful tool in theanalysis of geoscience problems (Zhao et al .,2004 ;Singer ,1993…