Special Issue on parallel processing in GIS

This paper explores three theoretical approaches for estimating the degree of correctness to which the accuracy figures of a gridded Digital Elevation Model (DEM) have been estimated depending on the number of checkpoints involved in the assessment process. The widely used average‐error statistic Mean Square Error (MSE) was selected for measuring the DEM accuracy. The work was focused on DEM uncertainty assessment using approximate confidence intervals. Those confidence intervals were constructed both from classical methods which assume a normal distribution of the error and from a new method based on a non‐parametric approach. The first two approaches studied, called Chi‐squared and Asymptotic Student t, consider a normal distribution of the residuals. That is especially true in the first case. The second case, due to the asymptotic properties of the t distribution, can perform reasonably well with even slightly non‐normal residuals if the sample size is large enough. The third approach developed in this article is a new method based on the theory of estimating functions which could be considered much more general than the previous two cases. It is based on a non‐parametric approach where no particular distribution is assumed. Thus, we can avoid the strong assumption of distribution normality accepted in previous work and in the majority of current standards of positional accuracy. The three approaches were tested using Monte Carlo simulation for several populations of residuals generated from originally sampled data. Those original grid DEMs, considered as ground data, were collected by means of digital photogrammetric methods from seven areas displaying differing morphology employing a 2 by 2 m sampling interval. The original grid DEMs were subsampled to generate new lower‐resolution DEMs. Each of these new DEMs was then interpolated to retrieve its original resolution using two different procedures. Height differences between original and interpolated grid DEMs were calculated to obtain residual populations. One interpolation procedure resulted in slightly non‐normal residual populations, whereas the other produced very non‐normal residuals with frequent outliers. Monte Carlo simulations allow us to report that the estimating function approach was the most robust and general of those tested. In fact, the other two approaches, especially the Chi‐squared method, were clearly affected by the degree of normality of the residual population distribution, producing less reliable results than the estimating functions approach. This last method shows good results when applied to the different datasets, even in the case of more leptokurtic populations. In the worst cases, no more than 64–128 checkpoints were required to construct an estimate of the global error of the DEM with 95% confidence. The approach therefore is an important step towards saving time and money in the evaluation of DEM accuracy using a single average‐error statistic. Nevertheless, we must take into account that MSE is essentially a single global measure of deviations, and thus incapable of characterizing the spatial variations of errors over the interpolated surface.     

Introduction to the Special Issue on Eco-compensation in China

<正>Owing to emphasis on economic growth since 1978 the ecological and environmental problems are continuously emerging in China especially in the river source areas and ecological fragile areas of China and thus,these areas have to face the conflict between economic development and environmental protection.As a result,it is an urgent need to establish a scientific and reasonable ecological compensation mechanism to coordinate the contradiction.     

Introduction to Special Issue on the Symposium on the Application of Neural Networks to the Earth Sciences

Natural Resources Research -     

Introduction to Special Issue on the 14th International Conference on Applied Geologic Remote Sensing

Natural Resources Research -     

GIS空间动态模型组件的设计与实现

组件重用技术为GIS与空间模型的集成提供了新的解决方案。该文设计的空间动态模型的GIS组件 -Dy namicGC ,它在传统GIS数据模型的基础上 ,增加了表达空间动态系统的过程和关系 (流 )的数据模型和对象接口 ,为GIS环境下创建复杂动态过程模型提供了新的工具和解决方案。该组件基于微软组件对象模型 (COM/DCOM)实现 ,充分考虑了互操作性、模型建模语言以及模型系统的可获取性需求 ,由一系列支持动态数据计算的OLE自动化对象集组成 ,可支持VB、Dephi、VisualC 等通用开发环境 ,也支持VBA、VBSCRIPT、JAVASCRIPT等脚本语言环境。使用VBA创建了经典的“生命游戏”的元胞自动机模型的实现 ,作为该组件创建动态过程模型的应用实例。     

3D GIS与3D GMS中的空间构模技术

3DGIS和3DGMS是近10年来地学领域并行发展的两大领域,该文从研究对象,数据来源,空间参照,空间构模,拓扑描述,空间量算,空间分析及应用领域等方面分析了3DGIS和3DGMS异同,并从数学模型,高程特征,属性特征和构建方式等方面讨论并重新界定了空间维数问题,重点分析了空间构模技术,将3D GIS和3D GMS中的空间构模分为基于面模型,基于体模型和混合构模3大类,并进行了分析比较和讨论,指出3D GIS和3D GMS将殊途同归,并最终建立全要素的真3D地球信息系统。     

Editorial Afterword to the Special Issue

<正>In order to greet the 36th International Conference on Solution Chemistry (36th ICSC) held in Xining,Qinghai,and organized by Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes,Chinese Academy of Sciences,the special issue on Solution Chemistry was applied for and approved by the National Publication Administration of China.     

Introduction to the Special Issue on the “Mathematical Geology for Resource Exploration” Session at IGC32

Natural Resources Research -     

Natural Resources Research Publications on Resourcing Future Generations,and Introduction of Papers in this Special Issue

The Journal of Natural Resources Research (NRR) has, since its foundation in 1992, published and continues to publish peer-reviewed articles that make significant impact on resourcing future generations. This is in keeping with its aims and scope of publishing articles on quantitative analyses of natural (mainly but not limited to mineral) resources with regard to exploration, evaluation and exploitation, as well as environmental and risk-related aspects. However, the new papers introduced in this special issue of NRR are mostly qualitative studies with implications for policy decision-making relevant to the issue of resourcing future generations. These new papers and the recent inclusion of NRR for coverage in the Science Citation Index Expanded? (or SciSearch^®) and Journal Citation Reports^® (JCR) Science Edition will make NRR more attractive to researchers in the fields that are relevant to the issue of resourcing future generations, both as a source of knowledge as well as a medium for publication of research results.     

Modeling Short-Term Spatial and Temporal Variability of Groundwater Level Using Geostatistics and GIS

Continuous depletion of groundwater levels from deliberate and uncontrolled exploitation of groundwater resources lead to the severe problems in arid and semi-arid hard-rock regions of the world. Geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) have been proved as successful tools for efficient planning and management of the groundwater resources. The present study demonstrated applicability of geostatistics and GIS to understand spatial and temporal behavior of groundwater levels in a semi-arid hard-rock aquifer of Western India. Monthly groundwater levels of 50 sites in the study area for 36-month period (May 2006 to June 2009; excluding 3 months) were analyzed to find spatial autocorrelation and variances in the groundwater levels. Experimental variogram of the observed groundwater levels was computed at 750-m lag distance interval and the four most-widely used geostatistical models were fitted to the experimental variogram. The best-fit geostatistical model was selected by using two goodness-of-fit criteria, i.e., root mean square error (RMSE) and correlation coefficient (r). Then spatial maps of the groundwater levels were prepared through kriging technique by means of the best-fit geostatistical model. Results of two spatial statistics (Geary’s C and Moran’s I) indicated a strong positive autocorrelation in the groundwater levels within 3-km lag distance. It is emphasized that the spatial statistics are promising tools for geostatistical modeling, which help choose appropriate values of model parameters. Nugget-sill ratio (<0.25) revealed that the groundwater levels have strong spatial dependence in the area. The statistical indicators (RMSE and r) suggested that any of the three geostatistical models, i.e., spherical, circular, and exponential, can be selected as the best-fit model for reliable and accurate spatial interpolation. However, exponential model is used as the best-fit model in the present study. Selection of the exponential model as the best-fit was further supported by very high values of coefficient of determination (r ² ranging from 0.927 to 0.994). Spatial distribution maps of groundwater levels indicated that the groundwater levels are strongly affected by surface topography and the presence of surface water bodies in the study area. Temporal pattern of the groundwater levels is mainly controlled by the rainy-season recharge and amount of groundwater extraction. Furthermore, it was found that the kriging technique is helpful in identifying critical locations over the study area where water saving and groundwater augmentation techniques need to be implemented to protect depleting groundwater resources.     

GIS中的空间基准问题

GIS建设中空间基准的统一是GIS数据质量、数据共享、数据使用的基础。在我国GIS建设中普遍存在着空间基准不一致的问题。该文分析了我国GIS建设中空间基准存在的主要问题 ,并在此基础上给出了GIS建设中统一空间基准的方案、方法和步骤     

Spatial video and GIS

GIS elemental unit representations of spatial data are often defined in terms of points, lines and areas. However, another type of spatial data that is becoming frequently captured, but as yet is largely ignored in GIS, is that of video. While digital video recording is a commonly encountered medium in modern society and encompasses many forms, from simple personal camcorders through to sophisticated survey and surveillance systems, its geographical representation in a GIS has not been fully examined or realised. In the majority of cases the video footage is usually captured while the device and/or the objects being viewed are in motion. What is of particular interest is when video streams can be, or have been, associated with spatial data such as location and orientation to create geographically referenced videographic data, which, for simplicity, will be defined as spatial video. Fundamentally, the nature of video is to record space, so when spatial properties can be accurately acquired and associated with this footage, an important geographical element can be considered for integration and analysis within a GIS.

Existing spatial video systems, both commercial and research, are predominantly used in survey or LBS roles and are usually bespoke and application specific. These systems do not model spatial video to any recognised standards that is generalised to be both data and platform independent. They do not support GIS integration and/or analysis from a purely spatial content perspective. A video-image/remote-sensing centric approach prevails where usage options range from simple visualisation interfaces to interactive computer vision systems. What has been largely overlooked is a spatial approach where the inherent geographical extent recorded in each video frame can be modelled and used in a geo-spatial analysis context. While this modelling approach has not been fully realised, it does exist in a GIS form based on Open Geospatial Consortium standards, where the spatial context of video is defined in a structure called a ViewCone. However, a ViewCone only defines a 2D model of the geographical extent of each frame and is restricted to a three-or-five sided polygon representation.

Thus, this article examines the potential of modelling spatial video through the use of elemental data types within GIS; gives some examples of using this approach; describes some problems in using spatial video within GIS; and then demonstrates how these problems are being solved. This is done in three stages: Firstly, a detailed overview of spatial video in its current GIS role is provided – this is achieved through a complete introduction to the distinct elements of spatial video followed by a review of its use in both commercial and academic application areas. Secondly, a brief theoretical overview of an alternative GIS-constrained ViewCone data structure is given that defines a more flexible spatial video model for both 2D and 3D GIS analysis and visualisation. Thirdly, a selective sample of results is presented based on an implementation of this approach being applied to a constrained spatial video data source in a specific study area.     

城市洪水分析模拟的GIS方法研究

城市独特的双重排水体系以及城市化过程的不断加剧,使城市洪水问题的研究远较农村地区的洪水研究复杂。本文在总结国内外城市洪水研究的经验的基础上,探讨利用地理信息系统(GIS)进行城市洪水过程的分析与模拟,提出了一套完整的GIS求解策略,包括流域水文特征参数的提取、分布式降雨-径流模型及洪水演进模型、开放式GIS系统的对象结构、模型与GIS集成的若干技术与理论问题、时序GIS以及三维和四维时空体的视觉化表现方法等,并应用于福建三明市1994年5月3日城市洪水过程的反演及洪水风险分析,取得较好的结果。本文的研究在城市洪水分析的模拟、3系统集成及环境模型的视觉化表现等方面具有广泛的应用价值和理论意义。     

地理学“空间分析导论”课程设置研究

空间分析是地理学和其他相关学科的重要研究手段与方法,其重要性日益引起关注。结合1960年代以来空间分析的发展脉络及各时期的典型方法,在对国内外40多所高校、组织与机构的空间分析课程大纲对比研究和教学实践的基础上,提出了“空间分析导论”课程的教学大纲、具体内容和实习软件等问题,最后对空间分析课程设置提出几点建议:① 拟定空间分析课程66学时左右,其中至少12学时左右的上机实习,实习软件可以针对不同的数据类型选用ArcGIS、GeoDa和R。② 在地理学相关专业或其他学科领域的本科高年级开设入门级的空间分析导论课程,之后,根据具体情况在研究生阶段开设比如"地统计学"、"空间模型与建模"等专题课程。③ 为进一步完善国内空间分析课程教材,可考虑选择引进国外相关著作,并筛选、开发相关的教学案例,编写详细的上机实习操作指导。     

Natural Resources Research Publications on Geochemical Anomaly and Mineral Potential Mapping,and Introduction to the Special Issue of Papers in These Fields

In its 26 years of existence, the journal of Natural Resources Research (NRR) has published and continues to publish papers on geochemical anomaly and mineral potential mapping. This is consistent with its aims and scope to publish quantitative studies of natural (mainly but not limited to mineral) resources exploration, evaluation and exploitation, including environmental and risk-related aspects. Over the years, NRR has contributed significantly more to the publication of developments in mineral potential mapping and notably less to the publication of developments in geochemical anomaly mapping. In more detail, NRR has contributed significantly more to the publication of research on development of robust quantitative methods for analysis and synthesis of spatial evidence of mineral potential but notably less to the publication of research on development of geologically focused models of mineral potential. The editorship of NRR recognizes the latter as a challenge to promote further research on development of numerically robust as well as geologically focused mineral potential models, and this special issue is a major initiative in response to that challenge. The recent inclusion of Natural Resources Research for coverage by the Clarivate Analytics (formerly the Institute for Scientific Information) in the Science Citation Index Expanded? and Journal Citation Reports^® (JCR) Science Edition will help make Natural Resources Research meet that challenge.     

基于GIS的三江平原退耕还湿空间决策分析

以三江平原为研究区,探讨了利用遥感和GIS技术确定退耕还湿的数量及其空间分布的可行性。通过建立土地利用、现有沼泽湿地缓冲区、环境背景因子(高程、土壤类型、地貌类型、河流缓冲区)、耕地生产力数据等栅格GIS数据库,选取具有区域特色的退耕还湿指标,利用各指标构建了基于GIS的一、二级退耕还湿决策模型及其空间复合模型,并且得到一、二级退耕面积分别为525652hm²、194029hm²,分别为现有耕地面积的8.76%和3.23%。最后,将其分别与研究区行政区数据进行空间叠加统计分析,得到各县级行政区退耕还湿情况。研究结果可以为三江平原的湿地恢复提供科学依据。