CARTOGRAPHIC RESEARCH ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE AGROINDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

The authors describe how cartographic research methods can be integrated with geographic information systems and automated mapping systems for the purpose of monitoring and analyzing negative impacts of agricultural and food processing activities on the environment. The paper also outlines basic research trends in ecological-geographical mapping and the content and types of cartographic products derived from mapping environmental impacts of the agroindustrial complex. A final section focuses on principles for the mapping of specific aspects and/or consequences of agroindustrial activity, e.g., soil erosion, agricultural chemical concentrations, water conservation issues. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1991, No. 3, pp. 5–11.     

AN EXPERIMENT IN SYSTEMATIZING THE CARTOGRAPHIC IMAGES OF GEOMORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES

The authors attempt to identify and standardize the cartographic symbols (“images”) used to represent a variety of specific geomorphological features. A large number of cartographic representations of landform features found on geological-geomorphological maps are classified in terms of their basic pattern/configuration and the level of complexity within each major pattern type. It is argued that the pattern or configuration of a cartographic symbol used to represent a geomorphological feature should represent the spatial structure of that feature with sufficient reliability to serve as a key to an understanding of its genesis. Translated from: Geomorfologiya, 1987, No. 2, pp. 62-66.     

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRADITIONAL AND NONTRADITIONAL SPATIAL IMAGES

A review of the Soviet and foreign literature on nontraditional cartographic images (cartograms) sets the stage for a critique of the position that they are only distorted versions of conventional maps. The author argues that nontraditional images are a legitimate form of cartographic presentation, employing a special non-spatial (topologic) system of measurement. As such, they are uniquely suited for the portrayal of certain kinds of information (i.e., socioeconomic) where elucidation of quantitative relations among features is more important than their faithful geometric representation. Procedures for transforming traditional images into nontraditional ones are described. Translated from: Izvestiy a AN SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1984, No. 5, pp. 121-133.     

USE OF THE CARTOGRAPHIC METHOD IN THE STUDY OF CHANNEL PROCESSES

A second paper on floodplain and channel mapping describes how the “cartographic method” (the use of maps to derive information about the world not readily available through other means of investigation) is applied through the use of special maps depicting the sizes and types of river channels, the character of floodplains and of channel deformation, and the general conditions responsible for channel evolution. The uses, strengths, and limitations of channel maps at small, intermediate, and large scales are discussed, as well as methods of cartographic presentation that have proven most effective. Translated from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1986, No. 3, pp. 99-108.     

CARTOGRAPHY ON THE EVE OF A NEW MILLENNIUM

One of Russia's foremost cartographers surveys the status of cartography on the eve of the 21st century, in a review of research presented at a plenary session of a recent national cartographic conference of the Russian Federation. The focus is on how changes in scientific paradigms (toward a so-called phenomenological paradigm) have been accompanied by the appearance of new products and modes of communication and information transmission. These, in turn, have generated needs for new programs of mass-based cartographic education and new scientific production institutes for the design and testing of new mapping technologies. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, seriya geograficheskaya, 1998, No. 1, pp. 8-17.     

Contemporary American cartographic research: a review and prospective

ABSTRACT

We review recent developments in cartographic research in North America, in the context of informing the 29th International Cartographic Conference, and 18th General Assembly in 2019. The titles of papers published since 2015 in four leading cartographic journals yielded a corpus of 245 documents containing 1109 unique terms. These terms were analyzed using Latent Dirichlet Allocation and by visual analytics to produce 14 topic groups that mapped onto five classes. These classes were named as information visualization, cartographic data, spatial analysis and applications, methods and models, and GIScience. The classes were then used as themes to discuss the recent cartographic literature more broadly, first, to review recent trends in the research and to identify research gaps, and second, to examine prospects for new research over the next 20 years. A conclusion draws some broad findings from the review, suggesting that cartographic research in the future will be aimed less at dealing with data, and more at generating insight and knowledge to better inform society about global challenges.     

CARTOGRAPHIC PERIODICALS OF EASTERN EUROPE AND THE SOVIET UNION

The Chair of the Moscow University Department of Cartography surveys the current cartographic periodicals of the USSR and Eastern Europe, with special emphasis on the USSR, Hungary, East Germany and Poland. The number and relative importance of each country's periodicals reflect general levels of economic and scientific development, although periodicals even from small countries with relatively unfamiliar languages of publication make significant contributions. The Soviet Referativnyi zhurnal, kartografiya supplies Russian-reading cartographers with information on hundreds of cartographic publications worldwide. Translated from the original by Marcia Levenson, PlanEcon, Inc., Washington, D.C. 20005.     

The Differentiation of Point Symbols using Selected Visual Variables in the Mobile Augmented Reality System

On the basis of initial studies devoted to a better understanding of how the public user (a pedestrian in the city) perceives cartographic symbols in the mobile augmented reality system, we present an attempt to determine the threshold values of differentiation for three visual variables. The variables of size, transparency, and focus were implemented into image point symbols representing five types of objects. The set of symbols was designed in accordance with the rules of cartographic design taking into consideration an analysis of 19 professional tourist works. The symbols were presented on the screen of a mobile device in a system imitating the augmented reality system against four different backgrounds: white, a wall, and two typical urban landscapes. The results of an internet survey conducted using a tablet at four locations in Poznan (Poland) allowed us to determine the following: threshold differentiation values for the analysed variables, indication of the dependence on the type of background displayed on the mobile device in augmented reality, and the advantage of using a combination of visual variables.     

TRANSFORMATION OF THE LINE LENGTHS OF CARTOGRAPHIC MODELS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FUNCTIONAL UNITS

A paper devoted to the transformation of cartographic images based on nontraditional systems of scaling (travel time, transport effort, cost, etc.) describes the results of work to develop a more effective algorithm for such transformations, i.e., one which the authors claim provides for the more accurate determination of “transformed” line lengths than possible with earlier methods. Translated from: Izvestiya AN SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1987, No. 4, pp. 105-111.     

The design and composition of persuasive maps

Persuasive maps are ubiquitous in society, yet cartographers have largely neglected to conduct serious, holistic research on them. Persuasive maps represent a form of visual communication that differs markedly from scientific geovisualization. First, many of these maps' communicative goals are anathema to those of scientific representation. Second, many persuasive maps ignore and defy established cartographic conventions. This article argues two things. First, the cartographic discipline can gain insight about how maps communicate information from the longitudinal and holistic analysis of persuasive maps. By comparing the differences and similarities of persuasive maps to scientific geovisualizations, researchers can begin to understand how persuasive maps communicate differently than scientific ones. Second, breaking persuasive maps down into composite parts may make it possible to identify persuasive map norms (i.e., methods of design that are embraced by producers of persuasive maps). The results of a content analysis of 256 persuasive maps are discussed. The article concludes that it may be possible to take the most statistically significant results from this study to begin identifying different rhetorical styles of persuasive maps.     

THE CONCEPT OF SPACE AND ITS PRESENTATION ON MAPS: THEORETICAL ASPECTS

The author defines cartographic space, i.e., the space encompassed by geographic maps, as the entire “geographic” envelope. Maps as spatial models of the concrete three-dimensional space of this envelope [increasingly this space is viewed as four-dimensional, when the element of time is included] depict geosystems of various levels and complexity and serve as an essential basis for analyzing their properties, internal processes, and relationships. The author argues against divorcing the study of cartographic space from an understanding of the content of the objects being mapped, and critically evaluates positions of other Soviet and East European cartographers on the “dual role” of the cartographic space of maps. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1986, No. 2, pp. 3-9.     

DESIGN OF CARTOGRAPHIC LETTERING FOR COMPUTER MAPPING

Guidelines for the design of lettering in computer mapping are outlined, which include, but are not restricted to: retention of basic elements of existing lettering styles, provision of high perceptibility and simplicity of design, retention of high readability and informational properties, consistency in the assignment of particular styles to particular classes of features, and observance of letter-spacing rules established in cartographic practice. A “machine-oriented formalized cartographic language,” suitable for both machine and visual reading, analysis, and construction of map elements is proposed as the basis for the development of a system of lettering in automated cartography. Translated from: Izvestiya vuzov. Geodeziya i aerofotos'-yemka, 1986, No. 1, pp. 92-97.     

DEVELOPING THE CARTOGRAPHIC SKILLS OF GEOGRAPHY STUDENTS (Organization of laboratory work in the “Cartography” course)

The authors describe the content and objectives of laboratory work in the general cartography course at Moscow University. The course is taken by all third-semester geography students, with laboratory work designed to develop basic skills in mapping and map use rather than supply professional cartographic training. A lab syllabus, designed as a model for similar courses throughout the USSR, permits comparison of Soviet emphases with those prevailing in North American universities. Considerable attention is devoted to development of evaluative skills (selection of suitable projections, methods of presentation, etc.) and recognition of basic sources of cartographic information. Translated from: Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, geografiya, 1984, No. 5, pp. 43-48.     

A Synopsis of Nigeria’s Indigenous Cartographic Heritage

Abstract

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Over the ages, Nigerians have had various indigenous ways of spatial representation, otherwise known as ‘alternative cartographies’. Paradoxically, however, the indigenous cartographic heritage of the Nigerian people has altogether remained unsung despite its immense contributions to societal development. This paper, therefore, is a modest attempt aimed at bringing the forgotten issue of Nigeria’s cartographic legacy to the limelight. The paper takes a bird’s-eye look at Nigeria’s homegrown cartographic heritage. The various local means of representing and communicating geospatial information are discussed. The paper equally highlights the invaluable benefits of indigenous cartographic heritage as well as how to preserve such heritage.     

ON CERTAIN STATEMENTS IN “RECIDIVISM OF COMMUNICATIVE CARTOGRAPHY UNDER THE GUISE OF AUTOMATION”

Several researchers, including some affiliated with the Moscow Institute of Geodetic, Aerial Photographic, and Cartographic Engineers, an important center of geodetic and cartographic training in the USSR, continue the debate on automation in cartography featured in the preceding issue of Mapping Sciences and Remote Sensing (1986, No. 4, pp. 274–288). They advocate continuation of some of the more promising research directions outlined in Ye. Ye. Shiryayev's book, criticize certain of its ideas regarding cartographic communication, generalization, and raster digitizing, and call for increased attention to the role of the geodetic sciences in the training of cartographers. The current debate stems from lack of adequate definitions for many concepts involved with cartographic presentation, inadequate development of a theory of automation, and lack of coordination in research among concerned organizations. Translated from: Geodeziya i kartografiya, 1986, No. 7, pp. 37–42.