Representing Complex Geographic Phenomena in GIS

Conventionally, spatial data models have been designed according to object- or field-based conceptualizations of reality. Conceptualization of complex geographic phenomena that have both object- and field-like properties, such as wildfire and precipitation, has not yet been incorporated into GIS data models. To this end, a new conceptual framework is proposed in this research for organizing data about such complex geographic phenomena in a GIS as a hierarchy of events, processes, and states. In this framework, discrete objects are used to show how events and processes progress in space and time, and fields are used to model how states of geographic themes vary in a space-time frame. Precipitation is used to demonstrate the construction and application of the proposed framework with digital precipitation data from April 15 to May 22, 1998, for the state of Oklahoma, U.S.A. With the proposed framework, two sets of algorithms have been developed. One set automatically assembles precipitation events and processes from the data and stores the precipitation data in the hierarchy of events, processes, and states, so that attributes about events, processes, and states are readily available for information query. The other set of algorithms computes information about the spatio-temporal behavior and interaction of events and processes. The proposed approach greatly enhances support for complex spatio-temporal queries on the behavior and relationships of events and processes.     

A Visual Art Interface to an Embedded Sequence of Maps

The role of art in relation to maps is being reappraised on the basis of a perceived ability to depict aspects of a place that maps alone cannot. Many as opposed to one perspective on a place communicates more fully the essence of that place (with art as a valuable source of qualitative geospatial data) and so maps and art should be presented in the same visualization package. This paper outlines the development and implementation of an interface where a scanned painting forms the mode of access to an embedded sequence of maps. The interface is used to represent the history and habitat extent of the kea (alpine parrot) in New Zealand from pre human colonization times through to their present, limited range to a speculation on their future habitat. The painting and the map (in what has been termed in the literature as an anti-map / map combination) are in their own separate layers and joined by an interactive link. The interface harnesses the ability of visual art to aggregate multiple themes, locations and times into a single cohesive image, coupled with map composition and symbology that complements the painting. The ability to contain many temporal instances is close to the comic strip frame (and instances of Renaissance art) in particular, with, in this case, an implicit time frame from left to right on the painting. The use of an artistic image minimizes use of text to depict events, due to the visual and narrative power of the painting.     

Maps and Mapping Technologies of the Persian Gulf War

Assessing the recent Persian Gulf War from a cartographic standpoint is now possible. Unlike in previous wars, which established new technologies for postwar cartographic exploitation, the gulf war is unique in having presented a proving ground for electronic cartographic technology. An analysis is given of map coverage of the war by the media, especially magazines and newspapers, and from a military perspective. From a cartographic standpoint, the winners in the war include hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, geographic information systems (GIS), workstation-based image processing and cartographic map-production systems, and radar imaging from aircraft. More fully exploiting and building on the success of these technologies in peacetime seems to be a clear mandate for academic and professional cartography.     

A Painting Technique for Single-Copy Color-Map Generation

A technique used for well over a decade by the U.S. Geological Survey to prepare maps for scanning and printing can be adapted for other uses as well, resulting in excellent-quality single display copies and facilitating color-scheme experimentation for maps. Materials needed for and steps in the process are detailed here.     

Interface Design for Geographic Visualization: Tools for Representing Reliability

Digital "softcopy" maps are becoming the norm—replacing static paper maps in applications from wayfinding to scientific research. As a result, the design of interface tools that allow users to manipulate map parameters effectively and efficiently is likely to become as fundamental to cartography as the design of maps themselves. This article presents some principles for the design of interfaces to geo-referenced data. These principles are summarized in a hierarchical approach to interface design with conceptual, operational, and implementational levels. This hierarchical approach leads designers from questions about the goals of the system and the users of that system to the creation of tools to accomplish those goals and interface controls that allow effective interaction with the tools. The article goes on to describe the application of these principles to a prototype geographic visualization system designed for exploration of spatial data sets and visualization of reliability of both data and data abstractions associated with environmental change. The prototype involves a synthesis of concepts and methods derived from cartography, scientific visualization, and exploratory data analysis into a system for exploratory spatial data analysis and spatial decision support.     

‘This was different’: transferring climate mitigation knowledge practices south to south with the MAPS programme

This article is a case study of the Mitigation Action Plans and Scenarios programme (MAPS) which worked in climate change mitigation and development policy-making spaces in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and South Africa from 2010–2015. The MAPS programme was focused on achieving change in the commitment of southern decision makers to mitigate against climate change through government-mandated, stakeholder processes which generated evidence making a case for a low carbon transition. The article draws on reflective materials generated in the last year of the project. The value of MAPS was found in the well-tested data and evidence-driven scenario building; locally specific and country-driven processes; a culture of knowledge sharing through facilitated communities of practice; the role of professional facilitation in process design and in conducting stakeholder processes; shared experiences of working in the south, and particularly with cultural differences and conflict; and new ways of working south–south with each other, and with donors. These MAPS programme experiences stood in contrast to previous north–south knowledge sharing involvements. Theoretically, the article asks whether MAPS represents southern theory-making (after Connell, 2007). It concludes that through the action-oriented, facilitated co-production way of working on climate change in the south, MAPS represents an understanding of southern theory that challenges the orthodoxy of global knowledge production. MAPS emphasizes the need for theorizing in, and of, the south, and connecting policy and practices.

Key policy insights

• Climate change mitigation work in the south faces poorly resourced, fragmented, under-capacitated governance structures, often in conflicted settings.

• Given conflicted settings, skilled facilitation is an integral part of knowledge-making processes.

• Strong local communities of practice, who undertake learning-by-doing and are connected to ‘stubborn’ development realities, are also key to knowledge-making.

• Intentional co-production of data and evidence enable peer-to-peer learning and the trust-building which is vital to strong communities of practice.

     

Frequency Histogram Legend in the Choropleth Map: A Substitute to Traditional Legends

This article presents the use of the frequency histogram legend (FHL) as a substitute to traditional legends in both classed and unclassed choropleth maps. Great variation in the size of mapping units can hinder readers' ability to comprehend statistical distributions from a choropleth map. Replacing conventional legends with FHL can aid readers in their understanding of spatial as well as statistical distributions of the mapped data simultaneously. A customized mapping application was designed in ArcInfo 9.0 to test the use of FHL in both classed and unclassed choropleth maps. Frequency histogram legends were tested on different types of statistical distributions. Although the comparison of the results shows that the FHL works best for a Gaussian or close to a Gaussian distribution for eight or fewer classes, the customized application permits users to generate choropleth maps with frequency histogram legends for any type of statistical distribution with any number of classes. The analysis reveals that readers' background in statistics helped them to effectively utilize and interpret frequency histogram legends in the choropleth maps.     

Gradation as a Communication Device in Area-Class Maps

This paper proposes a methodology to assess gradation as a cartographic tool for communicating information in area-class maps. The communication model is used as a theoretical foundation, suggesting distinction between errors that occur in encoding and decoding of geographic information. The proposed methodology begins with the determination of a target level of encoding error. Map alternatives are constrained to achieve this target, with gradation considered as one variable in the map production process. The result is a series of maps of equal encoding accuracy but varying in the degree of gradation represented. The individual maps of the series can then be evaluated in terms of decoding accuracy. The methodology is demonstrated by producing a series of alternative forest region maps of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey based on U.S. Forest Service data on tree genus distributions. The series ranges from a 4-class graded area-class map to a 13-class crisp map. The results show gradation to be a viable alternative to the proliferation of map classes as a means of cartographic communication.