A Framework and Software Tool to Support Collaborative Landscape Analysis: Fitting Square Pegs into Square Holes

For landscape models to be applied successfully in management situations, models must address appropriate questions, include relevant processes and interactions, be perceived as credible and involve people affected by decisions. We propose a framework for collaborative model building that can address these issues, and has its roots in adaptive management, computer‐supported collaborative work and landscape ecology. Models built through this framework integrate a variety of information sources, address relevant questions, and are customized for the particular landscape and policy environment under study. Participants are involved in the process from the start, and because their input is incorporated, they feel ownership of the resulting models, increasing the chance of model acceptance and application. There are two requirements for success: a tool that supports rapid model prototyping and modification, that makes a clear link between a conceptual and implemented model, and that has the ability to implement a wide range of model types; and a core team with skills in communication, research and analysis, and knowledge of ecology and forestry in addition to modelling. SELES (Spatially Explicit Landscape Event Simulator) is a tool for building and running models of landscape dynamics. It combines discrete event simulation with a spatial database and a relatively simple modelling language to allow rapid development of landscape simulations, and provides a high‐level means of specifying complex model behaviours ranging from management actions to natural disturbance and succession. We have applied our framework in several forest modelling projects in British Columbia, Canada. We have found that this framework increases the interest by local experts and decision‐makers to participate actively in the model building process. The workshop process and resulting models have efficiently provided insight into the dynamics of large landscapes over long time frames. The use of SELES has facilitated this process by providing a flexible, transparent environment in which models can be rapidly implemented and refined. As a result, model findings may be more readily incorporated into decision‐support systems designed to assist resource managers in making informed decisions.     

开源摄影测量实践教学软件设计与实现

针对摄影测量实践教学软件交互能力差、代码封闭等不足,提出了基于开源软件思想及利用交互式数据语言设计开发摄影测量学实践教学软件方法。软件代码公开、操作动作分解、交互能力强,涵盖了摄影测量学主要理论知识、方法和过程,具有结构清晰,教学重点突出,拓展性强的特点。教学实践证明:该软件可以适应不同水平的本科生,具有较好的教学效果。     

Towards a HPC Framework for Integrated Processing of Geographical Data: Encapsulating the Complexity of Parallel Algorithms

High-performance computing (HPC) techniques are still considered an esoteric research branch of GI processing. They are complex to use, deterring both academic modellers and commercial software developers. Yet the use of many environmental models is constrained by computation times. Furthermore, as remote sensing, environmental modelling and GIS converge, so the need for parallel computing becomes more apparent. Several case studies, parallelising the processing of raster, grid and vector-topology, demonstrate that scope exists for encapsulating the complexity of the parallelism in software frameworks, with strategies of spatial decomposition into sub-areas maximising the re-use of code from sequential algorithms. We show that parallel software frameworks can speed both the development and the execution of new applications. Based upon these case studies, the parallelisation of both interpolation and modelling in one software system is considered, with reference to pest infestation models, using both task and data parallelism. We discuss some of the requirements of a parallel software framework to underpin the integrated analysis of geographical data and environmental models.     

Fields as a framework for integrating GIS and environmental process models. Part 1: Representing spatial continuity

Linking a GIS to a spatially distributed, physically-based environmental model offers many advantages. However, the implementation of such linkages is generally problematic. Many problems arise because the relationship between the reality being represented by the mathematical model and the data model used to organize the spatial data in the GIS has not been rigorously defined. In particular, while many environmental models are based on theories that assume continuity and incorporate physical fields as independent variables, current GISs can only represent continuous phenomena in a variety of discrete data models. This paper outlines a strategy in which field variables are used to enable modellers to work directly with the spatial data as spatially continuous phenomena. This allows the manner in which the spatial data has been discretized and the ways in which it can be manipulated to be treated independently from the conceptual modelling of physical processes. Modellers can express their spatial data needs as representations of reality, rather than as elements of a GIS database, and a GIS-independent language for model development may result. By providing a formal linkage between the various models of spatial phenomena, a mechanism is created for the explicit expression of transformation rules between the different spatial data models stored and manipulated by a GIS.     

TERRAIN AND SURFACE MODELLING SYSTEMS: THEORY AND PRACTICE

This paper presents a critical investigation of those parts of digital mapping that relate to the specific area of terrain modelling systems. In addition, image processing and database systems are considered where they impinge on model creation or later analysis. The theoretical basis for surface mapping systems is described and an attempt is made to determine how best such systems can cover many of the practical requirements of commercial, industrial, and institutional surveyors and researchers. Some proprietary computer terrain modelling systems are mentioned where they have particular features that relate to the theme of the paper. However, most of the examples are derived from Panacea, the terrain modelling software written by the author, although in many cases any major modelling system could have been used.     

Impacts of Spatial Partitioning in Hydroecological Models: Predicting Grassland Productivity with RHESSys

Environmental models constructed with a spatial domain require choices about the representation of space. Decisions in the adaptation of a spatial data model can have significant consequences on the ability to predict environmental function as a result of changes to levels of aggregation of input parameters and scaling issues in the processes being modelled. In some cases, it is possible to construct a systematic framework to evaluate the uncertainty in predictions using different spatial models; in other cases, the realm of possibilities plus the complexity of the environmental model in question may inhibit numeric uncertainty estimates. We demonstrate a range of potential spatial data models to parameterize a landscape‐level hydroecological model (RHESSys). The effects of data model choice are illustrated, both in terms of input parameter distributions and resulting ecophysiological predictions. Predicted productivity varied widely, as a function of both the number of modelling units, and of arbitrary decisions such as the origin of a raster grid. It is therefore important to use as much information about the modelled environment as possible. Combinations of adaptive methods to evaluate distributions of input data, plus knowledge of dominant controls of ecosystem processes, can help evaluate potential representations. In this case, variance‐based delineation of vegetation patches is shown to improve the ability to intelligently choose a patch distribution that minimizes the number of patches, while maintaining a degree of aggregation that does not overly bias the predictions.     

Dynamic Modelling and Visualization on the Internet

There is a growing requirement for GIS to incorporate dynamic analytic models. At the same time, there is a need to distribute results of dynamic GIS using the Internet. Therefore, this paper sets out to explore the implementation of dynamic environmental models using Internet-based geocomputation techniques. An overview discusses shortcomings of current Internet GIS techniques for dynamic modelling based on the idea that bidirectional and sustained communication is required between the client and the server sides. Thus an applet-servlet approach is explored to demonstrate the modelling process of a chosen hydrological model, TOPMODEL, which requires frequent and efficient client-server interactions. This approach overcomes the inherent shortcomings of the current Common Gateway Interface (CGI) and more primitive Java applet techniques. We present an effective and generic way to implement dynamic modelling and visualization processes in an Internet environment. This allows users to benefit from Internet-based geocomputation techniques to gain insights into computation and representation of dynamic spatial phenomena.     

光学遥感三维计算机模拟模型的研究进展与应用

三维计算机模拟模型是遥感辐射传输机理研究的重要内容,在复杂地表正向模拟和遥感反演中扮演着重要角色。经过最近20年的发展,三维计算机建模研究取得了显著进展,在地表辐射传输过程分析、模型和算法的验证及遥感反演等方面应用广泛。为了更加充分理解三维计算机模拟模型的发展和模型间的差异,及探讨如何将其更好的应用于生活、生产,本文对三维计算机模拟模型在光学遥感的研究进行了综述。本文从模型的原理、应用和发展趋势3个方面展开了论述。首先,简要介绍了光线追踪方法和辐射度方法的原理及现有的模型;然后,对三维计算机模拟模型在遥感的主要应用进行了总结;最后,对模型未来的发展趋势展开了讨论,从运行效率、模拟精度和功能集成等方面存在的问题和需求出发,分析了三维计算机模拟模型发展和遥感应用的趋势。随着复杂地表遥感建模研究的深入,计算机技术的发展和多源遥感数据特别是高时空分辨率数据的应用,三维计算机模拟模型将在遥感理论研究和应用发挥更加重要的作用。     

GIS-based simulation as an exploratory analysis for space-time processes

The purpose of this paper is to argue for a novel use of geographical information system (GIS) as an exploratory device for understanding complex space-time processes. Conventionally, a GIS has been configured as a spatial database management system. Therefore, the capabilities of data input, storage, retrieval, manipulation and display have been well developed, whereas the analytical and dynamic processing and modelling capabilities are under-developed. The importance of integrating GIS with dynamic and analytical models has been widely recognised. Extending the use of GIS into spatial simulation represents a plausible research direction. On the other hand, the usefulness of conventional deductive model becomes limited when dealing with complex space-time processes. In essence, the inherent complexity calls for a simulation approach. The new nonlinear modelling paradigm, for example, cellular automata (CA), opened a way in which behaviourally-richer dynamics and more micro-spatial data could be incorporated into understanding space-time processes. It is argued therefore that GIS can be used as a platform – a controlled environment or laboratory – for exploring complex space-time processes. The discussion of GIS-based simulation in this paper is illustrated with a primitive simulation of the evolution of urban spatial structure. Received: 2 July 1997/Accepted: 19 November 1998     

Simulation Modelling Applied to Runoff Modelling Using MapScript

Dynamic spatial analysis addresses computational aspects of space–time processing. This paper describes the development of a spatial analysis tool and modelling framework that together offer a solution for simulating landscape processes. A better approach to integrating landscape spatial analysis with Geographical Information Systems is advocated in this paper. Enhancements include special spatial operators and map algebra language constructs to handle dispersal and advective flows over landscape surfaces. These functional components to landscape modelling are developed in a modular way and are linked together in a modelling framework that performs dynamic simulation. The concepts and modelling framework are demonstrated using a hydrological modelling example. The approach provides a modelling environment for scientists and land resource managers to write and to visualize spatial process models with ease.     

Spatiotemporal variability of urban growth factors: A global and local perspective on the megacity of Mumbai

The rapid growth of megacities requires special attention among urban planners worldwide, and particularly in Mumbai, India, where growth is very pronounced. To cope with the planning challenges this will bring, developing a retrospective understanding of urban land-use dynamics and the underlying driving-forces behind urban growth is a key prerequisite. This research uses regression-based land-use change models – and in particular non-spatial logistic regression models (LR) and auto-logistic regression models (ALR) – for the Mumbai region over the period 1973–2010, in order to determine the drivers behind spatiotemporal urban expansion. Both global models are complemented by a local, spatial model, the so-called geographically weighted logistic regression (GWLR) model, one that explicitly permits variations in driving-forces across space. The study comes to two main conclusions. First, both global models suggest similar driving-forces behind urban growth over time, revealing that LRs and ALRs result in estimated coefficients with comparable magnitudes. Second, all the local coefficients show distinctive temporal and spatial variations. It is therefore concluded that GWLR aids our understanding of urban growth processes, and so can assist context-related planning and policymaking activities when seeking to secure a sustainable urban future.     

Tessellations in GIS: Part I—putting it all together

This article attempts to describe the role of tessellated models of space within the discipline of geographic information systems (GIS)—a speciality coming largely out of geography and land surveying, where there was a strong need to represent information about the land’s surface within a computer system rather than on the original paper maps. We look at some of the basic operations in GIS, including dynamic and kinetic applications. We examine issues of topology and data structures and produce a tessellation model that may be widely applied both to traditional “object” and “field” data types. Based on this framework, it can be argued that tessellation models are fundamental to our understanding and processing of geographical space, and provide a coherent framework for understanding the “space” in which we exist. This first article examines static structures, and a subsequent article looks at “change”—what happens when things move.     

基于地层信息插值的FLAC3D简易建模方法

为建立一种简易的FLAC3D建模方法,降低FLAC3D前处理时的建模难度,本文基于Python编程语言开发了建模文件生成程序。该程序以岩体各层位的高程信息为基础,采用Kriging插值生成离散网格点数据;并采用离散网格点自动生成建模所需要的网格数据文件;将该文件导入FLAC3D软件中,即可生成与真实钻孔数据和地层信息吻合的三维模型。程序提供了3种FLAC3D内置单元模型可供选择。该方法采用Kriging插值算法,可生成精确的三维地层模型数据。与FLAC3D软件自身的脚本建模语言相比,该方法简单快速。本文使用3类应用数据进行建模,验证提出的插值建模方法可以针对复杂的地形和地质信息生成精确的三维模型。研究成果为采用FLAC3D进行复杂地质区域数值模拟计算提供了一种简单、高效、准确的建模工具。     

AutoCAD地形图的三维可视化研究

提出了一种AutoCAD与Surfer软件相结合实现地形图三维可视化的方法.该方法将AutoCAD的地形图文件(DWG格式)通过图形交换文件(DXF格式)输出,使用高级语言编程,转化为Surfer软件所对应的数据文件,快速生成二维或三维图形.     

长白山地区火山机构信息系统的建立

长白山火山机构信息系统是在系统设计与分析基础上建立的,共有5个模块组成:①长白山地区火山岩岩石化学数据库系统;②常量元素岩石化学分析系统;③微量元素岩石化学分析系统;④长白山火山构造信息系统;⑤长白山地区岩性岩相信息系统。数据库系统模块用VB语言开发完成;分析系统模块(2个)的建立是通过界面设计、结构分析、编程实现的;火山机构信息系统及岩性、岩相信息系统模块是在Mapinfo软件的支持下完成的。     

Improving the reliability of landslide susceptibility mapping through spatial uncertainty analysis: a case study of Al Hoceima,Northern Morocco

This paper aims at providing an answer as to whether generalization obtained with data-driven modelling can be used to gauge the plausibility of the physically based (PB) model’s prediction. Two statistical models namely; Weight of Evidence (WofE) and Logistic Regression (LR), and a PB model using the infinite slope assumptions were evaluated and compared with respect to their abilities to predict susceptible areas to shallow landslides at the 1:10.000 urban scale. Threshold-dependent performance metrics showed that the three methods produced statistically comparable results in terms of success and prediction rates. However, with the Area Under the receiver operator Curve (AUC), statistical models are more accurate (88.7 and 84.6% for LR and WofE, respectively) than the PB model (only 69.8%). Nevertheless, in such data-sparse situation, the usual approaches for validation, i.e. comparing observed with predicted data, are insufficient, formal uncertainty analysis (UA) is a means for evaluating the validity and reliability of the model. We then refitted the PB model using a stochastic modification of the infinite slope stability model input scheme using Monte Carlo (MC) method backed with sensitivity analysis (SA). For statistical models, we used an informal Student t-test for estimating the certainty of the predicted probability (PP) at each location. Both modelling outputs independently show a high validity; and whereas the level of confidence in LR and WofE models remained the same after performance re-evaluation, the accuracy of the PB model showed an improvement (AUC = 72%). This result is reasonable and provides a further validation of PB model. So, in urban slope analysis, where PB diagnostic is necessary, statistical and PB modelling may play equally supportive roles in landslide hazard assessment.     

MATLAB语言在非线性最小二乘估计中的应用

伴随着测量事业的发展,要编制测量参数估计的矩阵运算程序越来越复杂,难度也越来越大。MATLAB与其他编程语言相比,具有简单直观、速度快等特点。本文将MATLAB语言运用于非线性模型参数估计,并给出了单纯形法进行非线性参数估计的函数程序。     

A Spatial Analysis System for Integrating Data,Methods and Models on Environmental Risks and Health Outcomes

Integrating data on health outcomes with methods of disease mapping and spatially explicit models of environmental contaminants are important aspects of environmental health surveillance. In this article, we describe a modular, web‐based spatial analysis system that uses GIS, spatial analysis methods and software services delivered over computer networks to achieve this end. The Environmental Health Surveillance System (EHSS) is a prototype system that is designed to serve three purposes: a secure environment for producing maps of disease outcomes from individual‐level data while preserving privacy; an automated process of linking environmental data, environmental models, and GIS tasks like geocoding for the purposes of estimating individual exposures to environmental contaminants; and mechanisms to visualize the spatial patterns of disease outcomes via Web‐based mapping interfaces and interactive tools like Google Earth.     

Modelling the Real World: Conceptual Modelling in Spatiotemporal Information System Design

Throughout the relatively young history of research on spatiotemporal modelling, a substantial number of models have been presented. However, since a spatiotemporal model represents a closer approximation to the real world than is the case for traditional models, such models must be based on a thorough understanding of how objects 'behave' in reality. One way to acquire such knowledge is using conceptual modelling methodologies . In this paper, an overview of different modelling principles and a selection of conceptual modelling languages are presented together with examples related to a selection of spatiotemporal problems.