A digital earth platform for sustainability

ABSTRACT

Based on the experience of the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), this paper describes some challenges foreseen in order to develop a Digital Earth platform that can support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The use of ready-to-use derived geospatial information is essential. Future Earth’s methodology of ‘co-design’ aims to bring together natural, social scientists and decision makers to plan and carry out research for sustainability. Sustainability implies transdisciplinary research, but in order for scientists of different disciplines to work together, they will need to be able to share, access and use common data. This is by far not simple! While the good will to share data might exist, the associated technological, ethical and privacy issues are difficult to solve. An adequate e-infrastructure will be required. ISDE could consider to use the SDGs is the basis to develop the desired Digital Earth platform. This paper, by no means, covers everything for a Digital Earth platform, it aims to trigger research discussions and to have a good view about a starting point.     

北斗与高分融合的数字孪生地球

本文阐述了数字孪生地球的起源、概念、构建和发展,重点探讨了北斗、高分、数字孪生与数字地球的融合. 基于通信和计算机等共性信息基础设施,将数字孪生地球的构建分为6个步骤:全链可信时空、全息精准映射、实时泛在感知、多模数据融合、单体时空智慧和全域共智共治. 针对时空大数据从采集到应用都具有分布式特点,提出了利用“北斗+区块链”技术解决业务协作中的信任问题. 指出了高分实现虚实地球间的全息镜像,北斗作为高分产品传递时空基准,实现了虚实地球间的精准映射;另外,北斗和高分也是实现时空态势感知的主要技术. 针对海量时空大数据对数据操作和融合带来的挑战,指出了北斗网格位置码是更有效的数据组织模式. 介绍了利用时空大数据驱动人工智能(AI)和模拟仿真,可为规划、设计和决策提供最优方案. 分析了单体智慧的存在重复建设和资源浪费等问题,指出了数字孪生地球是跨界融合各种异构单体智慧,实现全域共智共治的时空底座.      

面向开放科学的地球观测信息溯源表达方法研究

随着开放科学时代的来临和空天技术的高速发展,各类地球观测信息在分布式网络环境下得以充分共享,信息的可信度成为各界关注的焦点.地球观测信息溯源作为通过过程追踪保证信息质量的关键技术变得越来越重要.本文在对国内外地球观测信息溯源现状研究的基础上,提出了一种基于PROV模型扩展的地球观测信息产品溯源表达方法,通过对溯源模型中...     

Virtual globes for UAV-based data integration: Sputnik GIS and Google Earth™ applications

The integration of local measurements and monitoring via global-scale Earth observations has become a new challenge in digital Earth science. The increasing accessibility and ease of use of virtual globes (VGs) represent primary advantages of this integration, and the digital Earth scientific community has adopted this technology as one of the main methods for disseminating the results of scientific studies. In this study, the best VG software for the dissemination and analysis of high-resolution UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) data is identified for global and continuous geographic scope support. The VGs Google Earth and Sputnik Geographic Information System (GIS) are selected and compared for this purpose. Google Earth is a free platform and one of the most widely used VGs, and one of its best features its ability to provide users with quality visual results. The proprietary software Sputnik GIS more closely approximates the analytical capacity of a traditional GIS and provides outstanding advantages, such as DEM overlapping and visualization for its dissemination.     

Pivotal principles for digital earth development in the twenty-first century

ABSTRACT

Reductionist thinking will no longer suffice to address contemporary, complex challenges that defy sectoral, national, or disciplinary boundaries. Furthermore, lessons learned from the past cannot be confidently used to predict outcomes or guide future actions. The authors propose that the confluence of a number of technology and social disruptors presents a pivotal moment in history to enable real time, accelerated, and integrated action that can adequately support a ‘future earth’ through transformational solutions. Building on more than a decade of dialogues hosted by the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), and evolving a briefing note presented to delegates of Pivotal 2015, the paper presents an emergent context for collectively addressing spatial information, sustainable development, and good governance through three guiding principles for enabling prosperous living in the twenty-first century. These are: (1) open data, (2) real-world context, and (3) informed visualization for decision support. The paper synthesizes an interdisciplinary dialogue to create a credible and positive future vision of collaborative and transparent action for the betterment of humanity and planet. It is intended that these Pivotal Principles can be used as an elegant framework for action toward the Digital Earth vision, across local, regional, and international communities and organizations.     

From data to decision-making – experiences in Integrated Earth Observation (IEO)

Within the confines of Earth Observation Scientific Knowledge and Technology Transfer in Hungary (EKAT) titled ESA PECS project we gained forum for utilization of our earth observation (EO) knowledge and possibility for further development of experiences. The project aims the horizontal preparation of Hungary for ESA membership – for a dynamically developing sphere in the common part of science, technology and business. For the efficient transfer and dissemination, we preconceived target groups and principles to reach main take-up points and to open new forums of information exchange. Nowadays, user-friendly service, complex supply and real-validation process all have great importance. Joining units of suitable data choice, entire ingestion–processing chains and ergonomic interfaces can only offer a timely and professional solution for the challenges of industry and business sectors. It has to be clearly seen, that information and communication technologies (ICT) and information control becomes a more and more significant part of EO services.     

Big Data and cloud computing: innovation opportunities and challenges

ABSTRACT

Big Data has emerged in the past few years as a new paradigm providing abundant data and opportunities to improve and/or enable research and decision-support applications with unprecedented value for digital earth applications including business, sciences and engineering. At the same time, Big Data presents challenges for digital earth to store, transport, process, mine and serve the data. Cloud computing provides fundamental support to address the challenges with shared computing resources including computing, storage, networking and analytical software; the application of these resources has fostered impressive Big Data advancements. This paper surveys the two frontiers – Big Data and cloud computing – and reviews the advantages and consequences of utilizing cloud computing to tackling Big Data in the digital earth and relevant science domains. From the aspects of a general introduction, sources, challenges, technology status and research opportunities, the following observations are offered: (i) cloud computing and Big Data enable science discoveries and application developments; (ii) cloud computing provides major solutions for Big Data; (iii) Big Data, spatiotemporal thinking and various application domains drive the advancement of cloud computing and relevant technologies with new requirements; (iv) intrinsic spatiotemporal principles of Big Data and geospatial sciences provide the source for finding technical and theoretical solutions to optimize cloud computing and processing Big Data; (v) open availability of Big Data and processing capability pose social challenges of geospatial significance and (vi) a weave of innovations is transforming Big Data into geospatial research, engineering and business values. This review introduces future innovations and a research agenda for cloud computing supporting the transformation of the volume, velocity, variety and veracity into values of Big Data for local to global digital earth science and applications.     

GEOID: GRID Services for Earth Observation Image Data Processing

Abstract

Recent developments in space technology and exponential increase in demand of earth observation data from space have generated a requirement of a data processing environment, where users can discover the data and process, based on their requirements. Grid Services for Earth Observation Image Data Processing (GEOID) is proposed with a motivation to cater to future earth observation applications requirements of digital earth. This paper discusses the overview of the GEOID architecture, its deployment scenario, use-cases and simulation results. Core technologies used for implementation include Grid computing and Service Oriented Architecture. GEOID provides capability to address requirements of applications such as real-time monitoring, time series data processing and processing with user required quality to meet the requirements of end user applications. GEOID allows users to access the archive products or the raw satellite data stream and process their area of interest. Simulations show that applications such as time series analysis show considerable improvement in processing time by using GEOID.     

数字地球中影像数据的Zipf-like访问分布及应用分析

在数字地球GlobeSIGht系统中,统计分析不同采集时间尺度的4个系统日志,得出了影像数据瓦片请求均符合幂律分布中的Zipf-like分布的结论。该结论有助于数字地球系统在诸如影像数据存储分布和缓存等方面的性能优化设计和分析。     

Using modular 3D digital earth applications based on point clouds for the study of complex sites

This article discusses the use of 3D technologies in digital earth applications (DEAs) to study complex sites. These are large areas containing objects with heterogeneous shapes and semantic information. The study proposes that DEAs should be modular, have multi-tier architectures, and be developed as Free and Open Source Software if possible. In DEAs requiring high reliability in the 3D measurements, point clouds are proposed as basis for the 3D Digital digital earth representation. For the development of DEAs, we propose to follow a workflow with four components: data acquisition and processing, data management, data analysis and data visualization. For every component, technological challenges of using 3D technologies are identified and solutions applied for a case study are presented. The case study is a modular 3D DEA developed for the archaeological project Mapping the Via Appia. The 3D DEA allows archaeologists to virtually analyze a complex study area.     

展望大数据时代的地球空间信息学

20世纪90年代,随着全球信息化和互联网的推进,地球空间信息学应运而生,推动了数字地球和数字城市的建设。21世纪以来,随着全球信息化与工业化的高度集成发展,出现了物联网和云计算,人类进入了大数据时代。本文论述大数据时代地球空间信息学的特点(无所不在、多维动态、互联网+网络化、全自动与实时化、从感知到认知、众包与自发地理信息、面向服务)和必须解决的主要关键技术问题(全球空天地一体化的非线性地球参考框架构建技术、星基导航增强技术、天地一体化网络通信技术、多源成像数据在轨处理技术、天基信息智能终端服务技术、天基资源调度与网络安全、基于载荷的多功能卫星平台设计与研制)。本文最后给出大数据时代地球空间信息学的新定义,即地球空间信息学是用各种手段和集成各种方法对地球及地球上的实体目标(physical objects)和人类活动(human activities)进行时空数据采集、信息提取、网络管理、知识发现、空间感知认知和智能位置服务的一门多学科交叉的科学和技术。从这个新定义出发,地球空间信息学将在构建智慧地球和智慧城市的大数据时代面临更多的发展机遇和艰巨的任务,必将为人类社会的进步和可持续发展作出更大的贡献。     

地球观测数据共享的发展和趋势

地球观测数据共享是地球科学和相关学科科研活动中非常重要的基础性工作,是对地观测信息生命周期中的重要环节。受到由资源提供者、资源消费者和资源加工者组成的社会生态系统发展变化的影响,共享模式经历了无共享、项目共享、部门共享、社会共享等渐进的4个发展阶段,并呈现出区域差异和阶段差异。地球观测数据共享的概念体系包含数据开放、数据共享、数据互联等不同层次的问题,并受到信息技术等使能技术的驱动。其中开放性代表数据在网络中可被访问的状态,共享性是对于数据重复使用的授权和模式,互联性则是强调可共享数据资源在科学含义上的相互理解。而地球观测数据共享的技术体系则包含数据开放技术、数据共享技术和数据出版与引用技术。目前地球观测领域的数据共享正在经历巨大的文化、政策、技术和应用变革,下一代的地球观测数据设施集中体现了数据的共享和协作,并将呈现国际化、多学科化、标准化、设施化、大数据化和公众社会化等新的技术特征,将对相关科学活动产生重大影响。     

Development of GIS-based environmental information system: an Indian scenario

Abstract

Ideally, scientists should be able to format, explore, analyse, and visualise data in a simple, powerful and fast application that would seamlessly integrate georeferenced data from a variety of data sources into an intuitive visualisation. The focus of an Environmental Information System is providing environmental information to decision makers, policy planners, scientists and engineers, research workers, etc. which ensures integration of data collection, collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination to all concerned. All such queries should be responded to supplying substantive information in the form of reports. The paper presents an innovative way to utilise the geographic information associated with the environmental data. The stand-alone application is the integration of using ArcObjects Environmental System Research Institute ArcGIS Engine 9.1 and VB.Net. The geographic information system (GIS)-based application, a framework of digital earth in terms of environmental information system provides a user-friendly query interface, which gives information about various environmental parameters in tabular as well as on map display. It also provides the visual interpretation to make further analysis and future decisions at multiple scales, locations and extents. The facility for modifying the map attributes and corresponding databases is integrated to update the information system. Output spatial data are produced in the form of reports using selected fields with display on map.     

基于GIS与SketchUp的三维校园建模分析与实现

近年来,数字地球、虚拟现实等技术的迅速发展带动了三维GIS的快速发展,三维数字校园技术也应运而生。本文选取河南财经政法大学龙子湖校区为模型,介绍了数字校园的重要组成部分——三维虚拟校园模型的建立与展示。采集校园建筑物轮廓底图数据并将其导入Sketch Up软件,以Sketch Up为建模平台,创建三维虚拟校园的原型,再通过Google Earth和Arc Scene软件进行三维展现。该系统的建立允许我们对校园景观进行全方位、多层次的体验,对于数字校园建设具有一定的指导意义。     

Big Earth data: disruptive changes in Earth observation data management and analysis?

ABSTRACT

Turning Earth observation (EO) data consistently and systematically into valuable global information layers is an ongoing challenge for the EO community. Recently, the term ‘big Earth data’ emerged to describe massive EO datasets that confronts analysts and their traditional workflows with a range of challenges. We argue that the altered circumstances must be actively intercepted by an evolution of EO to revolutionise their application in various domains. The disruptive element is that analysts and end-users increasingly rely on Web-based workflows. In this contribution we study selected systems and portals, put them in the context of challenges and opportunities and highlight selected shortcomings and possible future developments that we consider relevant for the imminent uptake of big Earth data.     

Community Geography: Addressing Barriers in Public Participation GIS

Early advocates of Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) envisioned a future in which members of the public (broadly) and members of marginalized communities (specifically) would utilize geographic information and spatial technologies to affect positive change within their communities. Yet in spite of the emergence and success of PPGIS, open source geospatial tools, and the geoweb, access barriers recognized by proponents of PPGIS in the mid-1990s persist. As a result, PPGIS facilitators continue to be instrumental in addressing access barriers to geospatial technologies among resource poor organizations and marginalized groups. ‘Community geography’, is a growing area of academic geography that leverages university community partnerships to facilitate access to spatial technology, data, and analysis. Experiences from community geography programmes at three universities (Chicago State University, Syracuse University, and Columbus State University) demonstrate the benefits and challenges of a facilitated model of PPGIS.     

大数据视角下的地矿工作发展与变革研究

本文提出了地矿大数据应用需要考虑地球系统和社会系统两个方面的内部规律,分析了地矿大数据的三类组成,给出了地矿大数据的四层应用架构;重点就大数据下地矿工作发展和变革提出了四项建议,包括重视数据,转变地矿工作决策模式;收集数据,夯实地矿工作决策基础;分析数据,提高地矿工作科学决策水平;开放数据,提高地矿工作服务能力和水平。     

Modeling the spread of spatio-temporal phenomena through the incorporation of ANFIS and genetically controlled cellular automata: a case study on forest fire

Abstract

Virtual representation and simulation of spatio-temporal phenomena is a promising goal for the production of an advanced digital earth. Spread modeling, which is one of the most helpful analyses in the geographic information system (GIS), plays a prominent role in meeting this objective. This study proposes a new model that considers both aspects of static and dynamic behaviors of spreadable spatio-temporal in cellular automata (CA) modeling. Therefore, artificial intelligence tools such as adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and genetic algorithm (GA) were used in accordance with the objectives of knowledge discovery and optimization. Significant conditions in updating states are considered so traditional CA transition rules can be accompanied with the impact of fuzzy discovered knowledge and the solution of spread optimization. We focused on the estimation of forest fire growth as an important case study for decision makers. A two-dimensional cellular representation of the combustion of heterogeneous fuel types and density on non-flat terrain were successfully linked with dynamic wind and slope impact. The validation of the simulation on experimental data indicated a relatively realistic head-fire shape. Further investigations showed that the results obtained using the dynamic controlling with GA in the absence of static modeling with ANFIS were unacceptable.     

遥感与中国可持续发展:机遇和挑战

中国要实现可持续发展,必须积极应对资源短缺、环境恶化、海洋开发和气候变化等一系列重大资源环境问题;随着全球经济发展一体化进程加快,中国必须以全球视角研究和解决面临的资源环境问题。遥感在地球科学、环境科学、资源科学与全球变化研究中具有宏观动态的优点,是不可替代的全球观测手段,是实施可持续发展战略的基础性技术支撑。本文回顾了遥感科学技术进步的历程,总结了国际上围绕可持续发展所开展的全球遥感科学计划,分析了中国遥感现状和服务于可持续发展的前景,并结合国际上地球综合观测系统的发展态势,提出了中国遥感科学技术发展面临的挑战和机遇,进一步阐述了遥感发展面临的建立地球综合观测系统之系统、高精度遥感模型与参数反演、遥感产品真实性检验与遥感性能判据及测试系统、遥感数据与地球系统模式同化、遥感大数据与主动服务等前沿科学与技术问题。最后指出遥感要更好地服务于社会可持续发展,服务于国家的全球战略,服务于国民经济建设;必须创新遥感应用服务模式,加快遥感产业化和商业化进程;建议推进卫星观测系统的商业化,加快无人机遥感发展,促进遥感应用市场化。